In defense of the poor lapping films, that seem to be taking a licking here, I would like to point out that these products encompass a wide range of quality and cost. I feel it is unfair to just lump them all together in some sort of generic world.

body shop papers, a few cents a sq foot,
hardware store wet or dry silicon carbides, less than a $1 sq.ft.
mid grade wet or drys, less than $2 sq.ft.
high grade wet or dry polishing films, AlOx or Silicon Carbide $3 sq.ft. link
mid grade diamond films, $5 link
very high grade advanced abrasive films $10 sq.ft (diamond high spec) link
copper backed films $25 sq.ft (diamond)link

Most of the above can be had as PSA or not.

just make us some flat glass paddles to sell and let us crazies hunt down our own polish tape

I defiantly would rather spend $10 for a pile of 6000 grit throw away polish tape then having to by a few full stones to clean after each use


I just pulled of my 50 / 60 grit stones
( when I say pulled I mean used hammer / screw driver to force them off )
and swapped them over for a few glass tops for my edge pro polish tape to go onto
glass shop only charged $1 a stone for custom cut glass

actually went the stingy way and just cut the polish tape down the middle and mounted them on the sides closest to the butt so the bare glass leads halfway before it hits the tape but does not seem to effect it


now about to order some full size 3m sheets 215.9mm x 279mm
( some being 50x minimum order per grit )


Grit Micron Color
400 30µ Green
600 15µ Gray
1200 9µ Blue
4000 3µ Pink
6000 2µ Aqua
8000 1µ Light-Green

Dan and Christopher have made excellent suggestions. I will make the angle adjustment mods/refinements and remove the arm pivot slop today. If I don't have everything needed in my shop then on to the hardware store.

Has anyone tried Lexan Plexiglass for the film? I have a pretty good supply here.

Thanks for all the help. I hope to be able to recripricate soon.

ChristopherStaples wrote:


well, of course! that's the way to go,, Clay sells the Blank Paddles, I use my edge hot glue technique to fasten the glass shop plates. Besides mounting PSA or Spray 77 films, here is another tick you can try with them: 1.) apply (or not apply, your choice here) a small amount of sub micron pastes to the glass and use just a very few back strop finishing strops to straighten your edge. Works great!

Just a thought. If you can get the glass blanks then I believe you can get the stone holders from WEPS with the same 3M double stick tape mounted to them that is used for the WEPS stock stones. I believe this is what is done for mounting the Shapton stones. This would keep the thickness closer to the other stock stones and eliminate the hot glue. The blank handles are relatively cheap.

Phil

MartinSinger wrote:


I've had the unit for aweek now but spent the weekend trying to locate the shim stock. Apparently when Kay said she would have the arms updated when my device arrived, she didn't pass that info to Kyle who told me the arms were perfect. I know they are very busy but this is still disappointing.

The brass shims are in place now..still have to fix the arm play. I am soo ready to by the ball joint arms! I hope to get Subway straws today or tomorrow. I also replaced the angle thumbscrews with flattened screws for infinite adjudtment.

Despite my startup issues I am pleased with the WE.

Next, I'll cut some glass for paper and lapping film as using the lapping film polishes the edge but still dulls.

This forum is a wealth of useful information. Thank you all for for sharing your experience.