Gem Cutting Tutorial: All About Laps
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- čas přidán 1. 05. 2021
- What are those round metal disks that you use to cut gemstones? In this episode, award-winning gem cutter, Michael Sackos discusses faceting laps. Watch as Mike goes over his collection and talks about which laps are best for new gem cutters.
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I am a new faceter and i beieve in the more experienced people so I stick with the rcommended laps from this person and from other good cutters aswell. So thank you for your inormation
You are welcome.
@@BOPIESDiamondsFineJewelry I found you at last
I learned so much about laps and which laps to choose from, what a collection you made! I believe is all about passion and to achieve the masters level. And you are the one! LoL.
thank you!
I'm 7 minutes & 45 seconds in & everything you've said, I've experienced. I got me a 60. I got me a 3000. And after a few different gems, I've yet to use them again. Awesome laptree Bopie's!
Yes, that 60 grit caused some damage when I was new, and like most new cutters, trying to cut 'doorknobs'. Thanks...I just drilled some 1/4" holes into the protruding end of one of my laptree 'wings'...now when I am working on several stones at the same time, I just stick the ones I am not using into the laptree...within easy reach when it's their turn!
Beautiful and clear presentation.
Thank you.
Thanks for the great video 👏👏 very helpful
You are welcome!
Great video, much needed information very well and clearly presented. Thankyou Sir!
Thank you!
@@mikesackos2208
Where can I find these discs?
Is there an address to contact watsab?
A great informative personal video.
Thank you.
Thank you for sharing some of your impressive knowledge. I’ve learned a lot.
You are welcome
oh man!! those copper laps are beautiful!!
Yes, they are! I haven't used mine yet, but every time I look at it...WOW!
Quite the lap collection Mike. What are your thoughts on cleaning, charging and storing your laps?
Thanks Larry. Cleaning - I use a bar of Lava soap on my steel cutting laps with a good flow of water when I am done with the lap, then use the water to rinse it off and spin dry it at high speed. I also use Lava on other laps. I also clean laps in the sink with Dawn dishwashing detergent and the blue plastic scrubber/sponge. Charging...I now use a water sprayer w/the oxide in it (1 teaspoon per 3 oz water). For diamond I use Gearloose pandemonium diamond sticks, a drop or two of Snake oil and rub it in to the lap with my finger. Storage - I built my 'Lap Tree' and keep the laps in Crystalite disk storage containers.
@@mikesackos2208 I do the same. The exception is using a spray to apply compound. I stopped using diamond spray after watching a John Dyer video where he mentioned how a spray goes everywhere and will contaminate other surfaces. Thanks for the response to my question.
Well appreciated video Mike, wish this was posted a few weeks ago when I made all my lap purchases.
Seems like I missed a few good ones and bought a few that I won’t need.
I guess it time to explore like you did.
Thank you
Thanks. Note that I have not found any two faceters with the exact same 'go to' list, so yes, explore different laps.
@@mikesackos2208
Where can I find these discs?
Is there an address to contact watsab?
I use Kent Supplies Toppers and they DO sit flat on my Aluminum Master Lap. I haven't had issues of warped toppers from Kent Supplies.
I also have an use a Corian Lap for Diamond or Oxides but my "go-to" lap for polishing is my MATRIX (by Gearloose). I love it.
The Matrix took me a couple stones to break it in and to figure out how to best use it but I find it works Very Well with Gearloose Super Cerium and Alum. Oxide Battstiks.
I do have an older 6" Copper Lap and a 8" Tin/Lead Lap for polishing with Diamond but I avoid polishing with Diamond as much as possible (except for lab-made Ruby or Sapphire).
PS> I clean my Matrix Lap regularly using a drop or two of Dish Soap and hot water. I clean it every other stone or between Oxides (i.e. Cerium to Aluminum and visa-versa). I also use Snake Fluid with the Battstiks and a Spray Water Bottle to keep the oxide moist (the water makes all the difference IMO). Furthermore, I only use Distilled Water when faceting.
Thanks for sharing your techniques! I don't have the MATRIX, so I didn't comment on it. Thanks for sharing your view on the MAATRIX!! I am going to give the Gearloose Super Cerium a try the next time I need to order anything from Gearloose. ...also, your cabinet is COOL!!!! Good job!
Thank you very much... so many interesting very important information... Greetings from New York🗽🇺🇲🇵🇱.. 👌👌👌thank you thank you...
Hello New York! You are welcome.
informative thank you
You are welcome.
Great video on the various laps. I use (all toppers) 180 for big rough, 320 for normal rough, 600 to shape, and old very worn1200 (cuts like a 3000), Prepolish is 12k diamond spray on type metal, polish is Battstick Alox or Cerium. or 50k diamond spray or pandermonium 60k on Tin alloy. I find quartz don't like the pandermonium, so oxide for the problem quartzs. Don't have a high budget, but this works for me from fluorite to sapphire..
Thanks for sharing Tony! Every cutter has their method... I have used 180 grit in the past...I just worry about sub structure damage. I have and sometimes use a well work 1200 Crystalite (not a topper) and I agree it cuts like a 3K. I used diamond spray long ago, but now I'm a fan of the pandemonium diastiks. Flourite...yikes...almost nothing I do works on flourite!
@@mikesackos2208
Where can I find these discs?
Is there an address to contact watsab?
Thank you.
You are welcome.
(newbie - full of questions) In this video you mention you're about to buy another Crystalite 600. What made you chose that over a sintered 600 (especially if the sintered laps are more economical and offer superior cuts)?
At the 600 grit level, you don't need a 'superior' cut. You need very very accurate cutting at the 3000 grit level and above. I would love to buy the Adamas scintered lap that is at about the 600 grit level, but they are not currently available. I have a scintered lap at the 1500 grit level, and it is awesome....bottom line, for me, right now, the Crystallite 600 grit is super...and toppers get the job done at this grit level.
Q laps me recomiendas para brillar esmeralda y cuánto cuesta
For me, cerium oxide polishes Emerald very well. You can use many laps, even the very inexpensive Spectra Ultra Laps which are mylar embedded w/Cerium Oxide...they are a few dollars apiece but are disposable after a few stones. The Creamway lap also works, or a Tin lap.
I'm just getting started in gem cutting and am deciding on 300-ish/600-ish laps: toppers vs sintered. I'm leaning toward the sintered, but am wondering just how much more economical they are. Say, if you were to cut the same stone, the same way 20 times on a 600 topper before it wore-out, how many stones would you estimate before you would need to replace the sintered? The toppers seem to be about $19/each, so quick math would say to break-even, one sintered lap would need to last as long as 25 toppers. If one topper would cut 20 stones, does your experience tell you the sintered would cut 500 stones?
I don't know how long a scintered lap will last. It all depends on too many factors...size of stones, stone material, how well you cut the stone at the previous grit level...etc. For me, I don't need a 300 grit scintered lap...toppers are just fine.
My ancestors only had copper laps on their handcrank mills
Hey mike, I’m pretty new at this and accrued a machine from an old friend & have some laps that I’m not sure what order I’d use them in & was wondering if there is a way I can possibly list them/take pics of them and you could tell me what order I’d use them in?
Welcome to gem cutting! I would recommend you join some facebook pages, like "Gem cutters helping gem cutters" or the USFG page or one of the many other faceting related pages and ask them your questions. There are many cutters there that can assist you.
I'm just getting starting the machine that the club has is a old Graves Not sure what the grit is on the colored disc no markings?
Colored disc? If it has a color, I bet you could post a photo of the lap on one of the Face Book groups related to gem cutting, such as Gem Cutters Helping Gem Cutters, or one of the other groups...someone will know what lap you are using. Graves was an excellent choice for faceting machines at one time.
Hey Mike?
Thank you very much…
You are welcome. Yes, this is me, but it is best to contact me on FB (Mike Sackos) if you have a question as it is difficult to carry on a conversation in CZcams.
Any laps that are specific or special to cutting & polishing diamond rough? Thanks in advance! Great video
I do not know. The only person I know who cut/polished a diamond on any of the faceting machines on the market used the "Diamante" faceting machine (he created it) and he told me he had the local foundry make a cast iron lap for him. That is the only 'colored gemstone' faceting machine that has a enough RPMs for the lap to cut/polish diamonds. You can still find a Diamante for sale every once in a while.
@@mikesackos2208 That's super interesting, I'll have to read into that. Thanks for your reply!
Have you been able to get much/any use of the copper laps?
I have not used my copper lap yet....but other cutters use theirs all the time.
it would have beeninteresting to know wich stick you use on what stones.i imagine a 60 k or 100k isnt much use if you dont do diamonds saphires too often,
Currently, I don't use 100K that often. 60K is a GO TO stick. Definitely for Sapphires, but can be used instead of oxides for pretty much all gemstones.
Iam new at this what would you recommend for a beginner as far a Faceting machine
There are 3 I would consider. All NEW! Ultra Tec which is what I use, Facetron, and Facette...maybe Polymetric. If you are near a faceting group, visit them and see what other local cutters are using.
Interesting video, I have been a faceter since 1983. Would love to try the hyper edge laps, but can't seem to get a reply from them for their price list.
I haven't emailed Ed in over a year. I just sent him an email and will let you know when he responds.
I heard his wife passed away this past year or so and that has slowed things down. The last time he sent me a list, his cutting laps were about $650 each. Polishing were $850
@@mikesackos2208
Where can I find these discs?
Is there an address to contact watsab?
what are Tin laps for, specifically?
I use my tin laps to polish gemstones using cerium oxide and aluminum oxide...but others may use them for others.
Hello teacher how can I contact you, I need to learn how to cut gems stone, in my country Cambodia we have a lot of gems stone
I am on facebook. Thanks.
Where can I find these discs?
Is there an address to contact watsab?
I have a Graves Falcon ceramic and a 2nd one I got from a guy selling out. My Falcon is the best out of all my laps. I used Italdo diamond spray. It is superior to any other spray I have used. The spray can cause a lot to give up. I have over 30 laps, including most of Gearloose laps. Love them too.
Hello its me again . I ve tried to contact you via your website but its not working . Is their another way to get in contact with you.
You can contact me at Mike Sackos on Face Book.
Would you recommend using 300, to 600, to 1200, to 3000, to 8000, to 14000, to 50,000 grit?
Currently I would recommend toppers from 100ish-600ish (something in the 100 range, 200 range, 300 range and a 600); I also like and use a 600 solid steel Crystalite, but if you have the budget a 600 scintered lap is very popular with other cutters, then yes a 1200 solid lap (or scintered) and a 3000 Batt and a 8000 batt (or Zinc), then a 14K and a 50K both Batt...but for someone starting out, on a budget 100-600ish Toppers, a 1200 solid, a 3K or 8K and a 14 (actually a 13K right now because that is what Gearloose currently offers for the diamond stick) and yes, a 50K.....plus a Creamway and Greenway when you can afford them.
@@mikesackos2208 Awesome explanation Mike! Thank you!!
lapps are expensive specially chrystallite
Yes, especially for new cutters who are on a budget.. If you are on a budget, you have to carefully choose your initial lap set. Later you can upgrade a lap or two.
반가워요 ~ !
Thank you. Nice to meet you also!
How much cooper lap
What type of copper lap? A 6 inch lap costs less than an 8 inch lap. A copper plate attached to an aluminum lap is less expensive than a solid copper lap. And the prices vary for a solid copper price depending on the market price of copper. My guess is that an 8 inch solid copper lap runs around $125. But you should be able to check with lapidary suppliers for a more accurate price. Hope this helps.
@@mikesackos2208
How much ?
Where can I find these discs?
Is there an address to contact watsab?
this is the only trade that seems built around DIScouraging beginners., it's the only thing i've ever been interested in that cost $10,000 damn near just to try it., if you want to weld ., you are not stuck starting with a $5,000 tig welder to start., you can get a GOOD welder for $500 and see how it is and get practice and then move up the line., every other trade and hobby has an ENTRY level., not this one., how can someone even find out if it is something they have the patience or talent for if they cant even get just the machine for less than $4,000 let alone the other hidden cost for supplies they didn't even think or know about.,?? ';'
Join a gem club, practice and get advise, but you are correct, it’s a costly gamble to start
Josh, I agree with Jeff. Many gem clubs have faceting equipment available for people to try out gem cutting.
Problem is there are hundreds of companies selling welders to millions of people, and perhaps a dozen faceting machine companies selling to a minuscule market. So no comparison. You can still buy a used machine for a grand, with luck, or new for a few grand, and it will easily outlast a car worth fifty grand.
Where can I find these discs?
Is there an address to contact watsab?
I am happy to help, but YOU have to do some work. Go to google and search for BATT Laps (as an example) and the world wide web will show you where you can find these discs.