Polishing compound question
 

Hi,

Wow, has it been a long time since I've posted to this NG. My wife
and I are currently cutting a few topaz stones for a client and these
topaz are unlike anything we've ever seen. They are taking a polish
in a most difficult manner and this is forcing us to consider some
alternative polishing compounds. I've found a company on-line selling
something called Super Blue Polish. They claim it is quite the
polishing compound. I was hoping someone here might have used this
compound because I've never heard of it. Is it as good as they say?

Thanks for any input,
Andy

Polishing compound question
 

On Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:30:29 -0700, Andrew Falanga
wrote:

Wow, has it been a long time since I've posted to this NG. My wife
and I are currently cutting a few topaz stones for a client and these
topaz are unlike anything we've ever seen. They are taking a polish
in a most difficult manner and this is forcing us to consider some
alternative polishing compounds. I've found a company on-line selling
something called Super Blue Polish.

Never used it, but what are you using now? Is the polish difficult all
over, or just some facets?

--
Al Balmer
Sun City, AZ

Polishing compound question
 

I used diamond on sapphire -
but consider : Alumina Zirconia (very hard, sharp grain) Blue grit.
Topaz is tough stuff indeed.

Good luck - and perhaps these suppliers can supply grit or you can extract
it off sheets or belts.

http://www.woodworkingshop.com/cgi-b...PLANER%20BELTS

This is Klingspor's site. A very high quality abrasive company.

I suspect your supplier has the Alumina Zirconia in fine grit.

Good luck - been some years since I faceted for enjoyment.

Martin


Martin H. Eastburn
@ home at Lions' Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net
"Our Republic and the Press will Rise or Fall Together": Joseph Pulitzer
TSRA: Endowed; NRA LOH & Patron Member, Golden Eagle, Patriot's Medal.
NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Charter Founder
IHMSA and NRA Metallic Silhouette maker & member. http://lufkinced.com/

On 6/10/2010 9:30 PM, Andrew Falanga wrote:
Hi,

Wow, has it been a long time since I've posted to this NG. My wife
and I are currently cutting a few topaz stones for a client and these
topaz are unlike anything we've ever seen. They are taking a polish
in a most difficult manner and this is forcing us to consider some
alternative polishing compounds. I've found a company on-line selling
something called Super Blue Polish. They claim it is quite the
polishing compound. I was hoping someone here might have used this
compound because I've never heard of it. Is it as good as they say?

Thanks for any input,
Andy

Polishing compound question
 

On Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:30:29 -0700, Andrew Falanga
wrote:

Hi,

Wow, has it been a long time since I've posted to this NG. My wife
and I are currently cutting a few topaz stones for a client and these
topaz are unlike anything we've ever seen. They are taking a polish
in a most difficult manner and this is forcing us to consider some
alternative polishing compounds. I've found a company on-line selling
something called Super Blue Polish. They claim it is quite the
polishing compound. I was hoping someone here might have used this
compound because I've never heard of it. Is it as good as they say?

Never used Super Blue Polish, but Rob Kulakofsky from ColorWright
speaks well of it, and I respect his opinion.
http://www.facetingaccessories.com/polishes.shtml

What sort of cutting? Faceting, cabs, carving? If faceting, do you
have the problem everywhere, or just some facets? If cabbing or
carving, is the problem only in certain spots? You can guess that I've
thinking about the cleavage plane, which is generally hard to polish.

--
Al Balmer
Sun City, AZ

Polishing compound question
 

On Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:30:29 -0700, Andrew Falanga
wrote:

Hi,

Wow, has it been a long time since I've posted to this NG. My wife
and I are currently cutting a few topaz stones for a client and these
topaz are unlike anything we've ever seen. They are taking a polish
in a most difficult manner and this is forcing us to consider some
alternative polishing compounds. I've found a company on-line selling
something called Super Blue Polish. They claim it is quite the
polishing compound. I was hoping someone here might have used this
compound because I've never heard of it. Is it as good as they say?

Never used Super Blue Polish, but Rob Kulakofsky from ColorWright
speaks well of it, and I respect his opinion.
http://www.facetingaccessories.com/polishes.shtml

What sort of cutting? Faceting, cabs, carving? If faceting, do you
have the problem everywhere, or just some facets? If cabbing or
carving, is the problem only in certain spots? You can guess that I'm
thinking about the cleavage plane, which is generally hard to polish.

--
Al Balmer
Sun City, AZ

Polishing compound question
 

On Jun 14, 8:18*pm, Al Balmer wrote:
On Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:30:29 -0700, Andrew Falanga

wrote:
Hi,

Wow, has it been a long time since I've posted to this NG. *My wife
and I are currently cutting a few topaz stones for a client and these
topaz are unlike anything we've ever seen. *They are taking a polish
in a most difficult manner and this is forcing us to consider some
alternative polishing compounds. *I've found a company on-line selling
something called Super Blue Polish. *They claim it is quite the
polishing compound. *I was hoping someone here might have used this
compound because I've never heard of it. *Is it as good as they say?

Never used Super Blue Polish, but Rob Kulakofsky from ColorWright
speaks well of it, and I respect his opinion.http://www.facetingaccessories.com/polishes.shtml

What sort of cutting? Faceting, cabs, carving? If faceting, do you
have the problem everywhere, or just some facets? If cabbing or
carving, is the problem only in certain spots? You can guess that I'm
thinking about the cleavage plane, which is generally hard to polish.

--
Al Balmer
Sun City, AZ

I intend to get back to faceting soon so, thanx for posting that link.
I may be buying some stuff soon.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

Polishing compound question
 

Andrew Falanga wrote:
Hi,

Wow, has it been a long time since I've posted to this NG. My wife
and I are currently cutting a few topaz stones for a client and these
topaz are unlike anything we've ever seen. They are taking a polish
in a most difficult manner and this is forcing us to consider some
alternative polishing compounds. I've found a company on-line selling
something called Super Blue Polish. They claim it is quite the
polishing compound. I was hoping someone here might have used this
compound because I've never heard of it. Is it as good as they say?

Thanks for any input,
Andy

Now im a metal worker and know metal finishing. to do this i talked to
other metal polishers as well as polish compound makers.
Polising and facetting stones cant be any different.
If I wanted to do that the first place id do is join a rock club.
These folk have already found the answers to stone finishing the
easiest and cheapest way.
They may or maynot recommend the compound you mention.
So if its any good someone will be happy to lend you a bit to try.
Seems the easiest way to go to me.
try it and let us know how you get on.
ted
in
Dorset UK.

Polishing compound question
 

When I originally responded to this

I have faceted several topaz roughs using the same setup I use for
everything else with no problems at all. They polish out brilliant
and clean.

I use ASM diamond greases on BATT laps.

It doesn't prove anything but there is a picture of one topaz at
http://schmidling.com/gems.htm in group titled:
Phase Three.

js


Astronomy, Beer, Cheese, Fiber, Gems,
Nature, Radio, Sheep, Sausage, Silver
http://schmidling.com

Polishing compound question
 

On Jun 14, 6:18*pm, Al Balmer wrote:
On Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:30:29 -0700, Andrew Falanga

wrote:
Hi,

Wow, has it been a long time since I've posted to this NG. *My wife
and I are currently cutting a few topaz stones for a client and these
topaz are unlike anything we've ever seen. *They are taking a polish
in a most difficult manner and this is forcing us to consider some
alternative polishing compounds. *I've found a company on-line selling
something called Super Blue Polish. *They claim it is quite the
polishing compound. *I was hoping someone here might have used this
compound because I've never heard of it. *Is it as good as they say?

Never used Super Blue Polish, but Rob Kulakofsky from ColorWright
speaks well of it, and I respect his opinion.http://www.facetingaccessories.com/polishes.shtml

What sort of cutting? Faceting, cabs, carving? If faceting, do you
have the problem everywhere, or just some facets? If cabbing or
carving, is the problem only in certain spots? You can guess that I'm
thinking about the cleavage plane, which is generally hard to polish.

--
Al Balmer
Sun City, AZ

I think Al's nailed it - Topaz has perfect cleavage in the basal
direction, which makes it difficult to polish and dangerous to set.
Orienting the rough is critical; you need to get the cleavage plane
perpendicular to the top of the stone, so you're polishing across it,
and don't have that plane running across the surface, which will never
polish right and can cause a big piece to fall off (usually when
you're almost done). I don't think the particular polishing compound
makes as much difference as getting the stone positioned right in the
first place.

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com

Polishing compound question
 

Ted Frater wrote:
Andrew Falanga wrote:
Hi,

Wow, has it been a long time since I've posted to this NG. My wife
and I are currently cutting a few topaz stones for a client and these
topaz are unlike anything we've ever seen. They are taking a polish
in a most difficult manner and this is forcing us to consider some
alternative polishing compounds. I've found a company on-line selling
something called Super Blue Polish. They claim it is quite the
polishing compound. I was hoping someone here might have used this
compound because I've never heard of it. Is it as good as they say?

Thanks for any input,
Andy

Now im a metal worker and know metal finishing. to do this i talked to
other metal polishers as well as polish compound makers.
Polising and facetting stones cant be any different.

Oh yes it is!

--
Abrasha
http://www.abrasha.com