Turning Rough Rocks into Gems!? Testing the Hi Tech Diamond All U Need Machine

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  • Опубликовано: 2 дек 2024

Комментарии • 121

  • @1eyeclosed1
    @1eyeclosed1 Месяц назад +45

    Thanks for posting your experience with this Hi-Tech Diamond lap machine. I’ve been using mine for a few years now and can make a few suggestions on what I’ve found that works for me. First of all, I think you may need to use a lot more water flow to help float away the grindings as you go. That made a huge difference for me when I first started using the flat lap. It’s messier but well worth it. I also purchased the small submersible water pump they offer that eliminates the constant refilling of the small white cup. Next, you have to use a higher speed when you are grinding. A higher speed means more revolutions of the disc against your stone. Less time to get things flat and heading to the polished finish you want. Experiment with increasing the flat lap speed to see if you get better, quicker results. Also, a circular, back and forth twisting motion as you hold the stone down on the flat lap disc will ensure even flattening. Don’t forget to move the stone back and forth across the disc as you do this to even the wear on your disc. You will find with more trial & error that you must eliminate all scratches on the stone before going to a finer grit disc. I always enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work.

    • @AgateAriel
      @AgateAriel  Месяц назад +10

      Thank you so much for the advice! This is why I love posting my stuff-I get so many helpful tips from you all!

    • @beentheredonethat5495
      @beentheredonethat5495 Месяц назад +2

      @@1eyeclosed1 can you tell me how long the discs last? 😊

    • @rickkobylinski5516
      @rickkobylinski5516 Месяц назад +3

      @@beentheredonethat5495 Of course, it depends on the amount of usage. I used my 80 grit disc the most to get defects in rough rocks out before tumbling. It was easier to grind or cut the defects out instead of tumbling those rocks in 60-90 grit for a month or two to tumble the defects out. Once the defect was ground out or cut out, in the tumbler it went. I didn't use the finer grit disks as much as the 80 grit disk. I've only had to replace that 80 grit disk recently. Have not had to replace the finer grit wheels at all as of yet.
      The flat lap machine is probably the best for flattening slabbed cuts and then progressing through the finer grit wheels to final polish. It does a really good job at that. If you cut agates or geodes open and want to display them as a flat, polished show piece, the flat lap will do the job.
      I purchased an 8" cab machine a couple of months ago and have been using that the most for cabs and pendants where I can easily dome the stones quickly. But I still use my flat lap first after cutting to establish the dead flat bottom. The cab machine has a side flat grinding wheel but I prefer to use my Hi-Tech Diamond flat lap for that.

    • @BrockGrimes
      @BrockGrimes Месяц назад +1

      @@AgateAriel Pressure applied also has alot to do with buildup. Lighten the pressure as you move to the finer grits.

    • @troylarsen2454
      @troylarsen2454 Месяц назад +1

      I just purchased the 6 inch all you need several months ago. I love it. A few things I have found through trial and error. Keep that black little tab that was on the 180 disc during the unbox. You can use that to perfectly center discs. I have found that for grinding, a speed of 3 or 4 is about right. More water flow helps with the grinding and smoothing steps. After the brown disk, I really double-checked everything. If I feel like it needs more time, I go back to 180. Also, moving the stone from the center of the disk to the outer edge will ensure even wear on the disk. It takes trial and error. Before I got mine, I used wet dry sandpaper to polish. I feel like that made the transition smoother.

  • @steveegbert7429
    @steveegbert7429 Месяц назад +20

    Ariel, when working the rock, it is a good idea to hold it in one direction, not spinning it around. Just move it in a figure eight pattern but not spinning it. By changing the orientation to sideways or spinning you are introducing more scratches in a cross hatch pattern so now there are twice as many scratches and it takes longer to get them all out.
    Also, when changing discs, if you remove the screw and push down on one edge, the opposite side will pop up so you can grab it and not have to remove the black guard every time.
    Good on Hi-Tech for setting you up, I was hoping they would.

    • @ZyanZik
      @ZyanZik 23 дня назад

      Nice advice for me to! 😅 Thank you

    • @kellyngrey4950
      @kellyngrey4950 5 дней назад

      This is all great advice! This is why I hand polish with actual sandpaper in my hand. I finish with a buffing bit on my dremel and use car polish-compund + car-polish for that last bit of shine!
      A poor man's Hi Tech, if you will 😂

  • @philstover2422
    @philstover2422 Месяц назад +8

    Yay!!! You are going to love this. You did great!!
    A tip is to take a sharpie or carpenter pencil and draw lines all over the rock on the first disc. Once the marks are gone, your specimen is flat. The only way to get rid of the scratches is to make the rock flat. One other thing I do is start with an 80 grit Diamond disc, then, 180, then the polishing discs.
    You do such a great job with your channel and your excitement is awesome. Each week I look 👀 to see if you posted a new video. 🙂

  • @CrowManyClouds
    @CrowManyClouds Месяц назад +9

    Pro trick: Pick one orientation, say the long axis of the rock, and polish with that orientation until you see a uniform scratch pattern. Then on the next grit rotate the rock and polish the short axis until all of the long axis scratches are gone and only short axis scratches are visible. Keep repeating the orientation switch as you progress through grits.

  • @forg0tten
    @forg0tten Месяц назад +3

    I've been collecting rocks for ten or more years.
    I bought a tumbler about a year ago - its fun but this year I took the workshop course at my local lapidary club and it's amazing what you can do with a cab machine.
    Now that I can go in there any time I want - I feel no need to tumble anymore.

  • @JimFry
    @JimFry Месяц назад +10

    My experiences with flats: 1) The magnetic discs without the center bolt provide an easier full area to rotate the stone face and also change grits quickly, 2) higher speeds always work out better for me, perhaps because the face is gliding more than digging in, 3) each type of stone is different and for some less pressure is better, while for others, more pressure is better, and 4) some stones always undercut, even some "agates" and perfect flawless final results are not always possible (for me). Oh, and 5) always rotate the face, continuously; never stop rotating.

    • @AgateAriel
      @AgateAriel  Месяц назад +1

      Thank you so much for the tips!!

  • @Nemnar7
    @Nemnar7 Месяц назад +7

    Love the "its not perfect, but thats ok" approach :)

  • @Rick-if5zb
    @Rick-if5zb Месяц назад +1

    Ariel, it is such a joy to watch your videos and hear your voice. You obviously enjoy what you do and enjoy sharing what you find. You're such a joy to watch and might I say you have a stunning smile.

  • @matthewcondon1985
    @matthewcondon1985 Месяц назад +1

    That was fun! I’d love to see you use this on some small rocks and give them some free hand facets.

  • @corrosioncrawler5706
    @corrosioncrawler5706 10 дней назад

    YES!!! YES!! YAASSS!!!!!!!!
    I too have been extremely interested in taking some of my most visually appealing, yet commonly available stones and try to facet them to look like a jeweled stone.

  • @KZ-np8fz
    @KZ-np8fz Месяц назад +1

    I love rocks and minerals, but the little kitty paws I saw climbing on the table❤❤❤ too cute.

  • @M4A2Master
    @M4A2Master Месяц назад +3

    Awesome to see you progressing, learning and getting more toys to play with. Now you can start polishing all kinds of rocks.

    • @AgateAriel
      @AgateAriel  Месяц назад

      Right!! I already have a bunch I want to do! 😅

  • @ROCKINWHEELERS
    @ROCKINWHEELERS Месяц назад +1

    Hi- Tech Outstanding Products and Customer Service from our Experience is Just Awesome.

  • @Pte1643
    @Pte1643 Месяц назад +3

    There’s nothing to stop you starting again with it. It’s all a learning curve.

  • @seaweld2000
    @seaweld2000 Месяц назад +1

    Loved watching you use that machine for the first time. I’ve always thought about buying one and now I feel that I would be more well equipped to try it myself. Thanks to your video. 🤩

  • @rafgameclips
    @rafgameclips Месяц назад +3

    never miss a agate ariel uplaodddd!!!

  • @Korenscollections
    @Korenscollections Месяц назад +2

    Decided to jump to your latest video and view backwards to see them all. I think you just needed more time on each layer to make it perfect. 👌 yes, I have now subscribed 😁

    • @rachiemay1201
      @rachiemay1201 Месяц назад

      Welcome to the Agate Ariel Family ❤

  • @jimbroekemeier7168
    @jimbroekemeier7168 Месяц назад +3

    I would do 4 or 5 stones as a group and move them together through the stages instead of a single rock that would speed things up

    • @AgateAriel
      @AgateAriel  Месяц назад +1

      Yes!! That is definitely what I plan to do next time!

  • @lasagnahog7695
    @lasagnahog7695 Месяц назад +1

    Coolio, I appreciate being brought along for the learning.

  • @CacklingChick
    @CacklingChick Месяц назад +1

    Definitely shiny! 🥳 POLISH ON!! 😁👍🏻🪨💦

  • @sandmaker
    @sandmaker Месяц назад +1

    That's a great job, for a first try with a hard stone. Well done!!

  • @nickitoff9629
    @nickitoff9629 Месяц назад

    took me awhile to learn about it too. The surface isn't totally flat yet. You'll get it! Love the video!

  • @Orangatangerine
    @Orangatangerine Месяц назад

    Haha I gave up on flatlapping with my 8 inch flat lap. Takes wayyy too much time and patience. If you really want polished flat surfaces free of scratches a vibrating flat lap is your best bet. (Or a really big flat lap, but those get insanely expensive.) The smaller flat laps are okay for softer material flat lapping and are great for cabbing. A dop stick really lets you roll the stone back and forth in all directions on the flat lap. For half agates, petrified wood and the like a cab machine can get you a polished slightly rounded surface pretty quickly. Not quite a flat surface, but I like the rounded edges.
    Have fun with the flat lap! Love the videos :)

  • @zosothezephead837
    @zosothezephead837 Месяц назад +1

    0:34 "Raiders of the Lost Ark" moment 😂

  • @iw1166
    @iw1166 Месяц назад

    You can always toot your own horn❣️ you’re awesome🙃. Love your vibrant smile and rocks❤️

  • @annepickering8966
    @annepickering8966 Месяц назад

    Thanks for sharing this. I've been thinking of getting one but was unsure. You have provided much more info. Results a great.

  • @RyanWeishalla
    @RyanWeishalla Месяц назад

    Nice. A nice tool for being able to do both flat polishing and being able to get into making cabs. If you find this is something you enjoy doing and will continue to use it, I would suggest getting more of the in-between grit discs. For each disc, you want to get rid of all of the scratches from the previous disc. Over time, you'll get better at telling with scratches you still see are from that disc or a previous. Sometimes it is hard to tell. Lighting from multiple directions can help. I'm farsighted, so have a tough time seeing the scratches even with my glasses. A loop can help, but don't use one with too much magnification as it can cause you to chase scratches you do not need to do.

  • @Rose_Blue87
    @Rose_Blue87 Месяц назад

    I did glas polishing as a job for a while and in my experience you get a feel for it the more you do it

  • @jamespierce7232
    @jamespierce7232 Месяц назад

    I use a sharpie. Make a cross hatch pattern over the surface and grind until sharpie is gone. I find this works with every disc. I use alcohol prep pads to clean stone before polishing. Alcohol also removes sharpie. Bigger the surface, the harder it is to grind a flat surface with an inconsistent surface such as an agate. ( host rock, quartz, various minerals). Gently rocking back n forth to put just the slightest curve over your surface speeds up process tremendously

  • @patriciamckean4186
    @patriciamckean4186 Месяц назад

    Congratulations on your new addition to your lapidary shop! Nice learning experience.

  • @Simmermomma
    @Simmermomma Месяц назад

    Thank you so much for posting this! I have tumblers and really want to get a flat lap. I’ve been a little intimidated…. I know I’ll get one eventually and will be using your video as reference.

  • @ROCKINWHEELERS
    @ROCKINWHEELERS Месяц назад

    Outstanding Especially For Your First Time. Blessings.

  • @SensiProductionzBlindDogVideos
    @SensiProductionzBlindDogVideos Месяц назад

    8:09 faster speeds in the first few steps will clear up these issues real easy.
    Thanks for the video 😊

  • @j54701
    @j54701 Месяц назад

    Another great video!! Such a wonderful on camera personality! Keep making videos...

  • @ChazzleDazzleVideos
    @ChazzleDazzleVideos Месяц назад +2

    I literally hand polished a stone once isung a block of wppd and some sandpapers going up to 4000 grit and then some of the polishing cloth used for fiber optics. I was bored and snowed in and had nothing really going on so i spent days making a piece of blue tinted quartz all shiny. It was just a little bigger than a marble and took so long to get shiny lol looking back at that i feel kind of like a madman.

    • @AgateAriel
      @AgateAriel  Месяц назад

      What that is awesome! And takes a lot of patience 😂

  • @trentenmerrill5239
    @trentenmerrill5239 Месяц назад

    You're the best Agate Content creator and Agate picker on this side of the Mississippi... Lol
    😂😅😊. I love your videos.

  • @craftydemon529
    @craftydemon529 Месяц назад

    I loved doing this in a club I was in during middle school.
    I always wanted one of these since then

  • @kimdedominicis6893
    @kimdedominicis6893 Месяц назад

    That “ brown disc” that you refer to as disc 2 is a 325. There is one that is a 220 that would help to use prior. You can purchase it from hi tech. It’s too bad that they don’t include it as it’s a great one to remove scratches from your trim saw. The 3rd one is a 600 and really won’t remove major scratches that you can see. Next is the 1200 which is prepolish. I recommend purchasing the 3000 which is polish. The last one you used is diamond paste which I don’t love.
    I also recommend getting toothbrushes and have a dedicated one for each disc and clean after each use with machine and water on. It will lengthen the life of your discs.

  • @_Its.Just.Felix_
    @_Its.Just.Felix_ Месяц назад +2

    I wonder if doing small circles constantly instead of just holding it in place on the plate would help. Also, maybe just having it at a higher speed might also help reduce scratches. I've never used one of those before, but doing small circles helps me reduce ruts and scratches when I use my dremels.

    • @AgateAriel
      @AgateAriel  Месяц назад +1

      Oh good to know! I will try that!

    • @imafreeamerican7443
      @imafreeamerican7443 Месяц назад

      @@AgateAriel another rockhound does figure 8's with the stone being polished. Great results. That method is used in the Fiber Optic cable terminations that I've done. Good video, we have just received ours and we are looking forward to giving it a shot.

  • @nativewildman9335
    @nativewildman9335 День назад

    Your rocks always look amazing ❤ Great video!

  • @ROCKINWHEELERS
    @ROCKINWHEELERS Месяц назад

    You will see scratches. Before moving onto next Grit-! Scratch’s will uniformity. Then unto the next and so on. It will be one GORGEOUS POLISH WHEN DONE!!!

  • @rojicomplex9515
    @rojicomplex9515 Месяц назад

    This is so cool! It came out really good, I want to get one of these and try on quartz rocks that I find when I’m on my walks.

  • @philstover2422
    @philstover2422 Месяц назад

    Thanks for the Hi Tech discount!!!!

  • @YYYourchoice-uu9ol
    @YYYourchoice-uu9ol Месяц назад

    I thought for sure you were gonna make a smiley face with the polish.

  • @catsdrooltoo
    @catsdrooltoo Месяц назад +1

    Beautiful!

  • @kylegawron5358
    @kylegawron5358 Месяц назад +2

    I wish I had the money for a 6" hi tech lap saw

  • @greatnorthernviews3052
    @greatnorthernviews3052 Месяц назад +1

    Looks good I was thinking about getting one 😊

    • @AgateAriel
      @AgateAriel  Месяц назад +1

      You should! It was really fun!

  • @endtimeprepperguy2763
    @endtimeprepperguy2763 Месяц назад

    Coolio Julio, way to go Hugo

  • @bobs-rocks
    @bobs-rocks Месяц назад +1

    Very cool, i would love to have that machine

  • @Jessecefalia
    @Jessecefalia Месяц назад +1

    Nice job😮🎉

  • @ScottishUnited7
    @ScottishUnited7 Месяц назад

    Great vid, but also could u post something about what grits to use for each stage and how many stages u actually need and what size of rocks should u put in the tumbler

  • @Ann-snowshoeingonEnceladus
    @Ann-snowshoeingonEnceladus Месяц назад

    It turned out perfectly! Any more polishing with the coarser grits might have ground off those beautiful little crystal filled indents (please provide correct terminology for those, if you like) on its surface. Just beautiful!!

  • @anthropomorphicpeanut6160
    @anthropomorphicpeanut6160 Месяц назад

    I thought 9:16 was the reveal and I was very disappointed until I realised you were just showing us how it was at the beginning lol

  • @captainhornswoggle
    @captainhornswoggle Месяц назад +2

    Would you consider doing a series of youtube shorts with a rock advent calendar this Dec? I picked one up for myself this year.

    • @AgateAriel
      @AgateAriel  Месяц назад +1

      Oh that would be fun! What one did you do?

    • @captainhornswoggle
      @captainhornswoggle Месяц назад

      @@AgateAriel The National Geographic Gemstone one. I've had to put it in the loft, the temptation was too much.

  • @GREEKEXPLORERS
    @GREEKEXPLORERS Месяц назад

    Amazing video!! Thanks for sharing!!

  • @Eric_Schon
    @Eric_Schon Месяц назад +2

    The real gems in your videos are your eyes. So expressive and sparkle with your enthusiasm. Your optimism in your videos is comforting. After watching you for quite awhile, this is the video that I hit the subscribe on. Keep up the great work.

  • @roxannetellini3134
    @roxannetellini3134 Месяц назад +1

    3:00 I notice you have a pink salt lamp. Those can be dangerous for kitties. Do not let that grey beauty near it.

    • @AgateAriel
      @AgateAriel  Месяц назад

      Oh good to know!! It’s high up so he can’t reach it!

  • @DavidSmyser
    @DavidSmyser Месяц назад

    Love the video!! So how long did you actually use each wheel?? It looked really good!!

  • @patprop74
    @patprop74 Месяц назад +3

    Sweet, all you need now is a CO2 desktop laser engraver and you ll be all set to make your own personalized Agare decorations...

    • @AgateAriel
      @AgateAriel  Месяц назад

      Omg yes!!! It’s on my list! Lol

  • @amberandrews6842
    @amberandrews6842 Месяц назад

    I want one of these so!!! All my father's lapidary equipment was stolen. I started collecting some more, it's been stolen too ...

  • @JustineFreund
    @JustineFreund Месяц назад +1

    Talk to agate dad he could probably give you some pointers

  • @kellyngrey4950
    @kellyngrey4950 5 дней назад

    Oh girl, I been hand polishing for over a year now. And when I say hand polishing, I mean with sandpaper in my hand. I'll let you know how the first rock turns out when I finish!
    (JK, I do genuinely hand polish with sandpaper, but I also use diamond dremel bits for carving and shaping.)

  • @staceysarian7444
    @staceysarian7444 Месяц назад +1

    Nice job

  • @kellyvb333
    @kellyvb333 Месяц назад

    This is machine polishing not hand polishing technically. I have hand polished stones with water and polishing pads and it takes quite a long time compared to flat lapping which I have also done. Love that you are expanding your techniques though. Tumbling wasn’t for me because I don’t have the patience bud I had great results hand polishing. Still working on my flat lap skills but getting better.

  • @ahmedsamir530
    @ahmedsamir530 Месяц назад

    Can you show us how to form different shapes to suit rings & necklaces for examples

  • @suzscully
    @suzscully Месяц назад +1

    Yay!!!

  • @Jenniferjames23
    @Jenniferjames23 11 дней назад

    I'm polishing a chalcedony stone I found in my yard and I am using sanding papers from a auto body shop and it is going to take me forever. Any tips?Also I don't have a machine, it's all by hand

  • @jiawang1809
    @jiawang1809 Месяц назад

    Just asking if you can make a video about where to rockhound

  • @newdonktimes2034
    @newdonktimes2034 Месяц назад +2

    I say don’t rework the polished one keep it as a reminder as your first one with a new machine. Anyways it looks really good. I might buy one myself sure the tumbler is nice but doing it by hand seems like more fun.

    • @AgateAriel
      @AgateAriel  Месяц назад

      Right! I really enjoyed it! It’s fun feeling like you are doing it yourself!

  • @ChazzleDazzleVideos
    @ChazzleDazzleVideos Месяц назад +1

    Those small little scratches are from when you are cutting it as the blade moves around slightly and pushing the rock through the blade by hand is not a perfect science. If they are circular like that it is the saw you can get less by having something to attach the rock to that is on a slider or rail so it goes through straight as it can.

    • @AgateAriel
      @AgateAriel  Месяц назад

      Oh awesome! Thank you for letting me know!

  • @gregwright6281
    @gregwright6281 Месяц назад +3

    That machine is awesome! Also, can I borrow about $700 ? 😂 .. jk

  • @kristofwanderer1
    @kristofwanderer1 Месяц назад

    I'm trying to use the discount code but it isn't working... Is it "Agate Ariel"? Are both capitalized? Is there a space or no space, or is there an underscore? LOL
    I didn't think there'd be so many variables to consider!!

  • @SynaestheticSynthesis
    @SynaestheticSynthesis Месяц назад

    What happens if you put olive oil on the disc instead of water?

  • @zone4garlicfarm
    @zone4garlicfarm Месяц назад +1

    How long did it take to go through all the steps?

    • @AgateAriel
      @AgateAriel  Месяц назад

      I honestly can’t remember-maybe 30-45 minutes? But I also had to change camera angles, film, etc!

  • @beentheredonethat5495
    @beentheredonethat5495 Месяц назад +1

    How long do the discs last?

    • @AgateAriel
      @AgateAriel  Месяц назад +1

      I am actually not sure!

  • @shawnwilt7196
    @shawnwilt7196 Месяц назад

    I have always said, "You shoukd toot your own horn because others won't do it for you."

  • @sutanmudo88
    @sutanmudo88 Месяц назад +1

    😍😍😍

  • @michellesimpson2851
    @michellesimpson2851 Месяц назад +1

    👍👏👍👏👍

  • @snakeysdw
    @snakeysdw Месяц назад

    I would really would like to have a Dimond flat lap, but they seem way over priced.

  • @john-nancyewert1055
    @john-nancyewert1055 Месяц назад

    It looks like big diggings agate

  • @jackweston7530
    @jackweston7530 Месяц назад

    you should keep it as a reminder to inprove

  • @christianmarshall6250
    @christianmarshall6250 Месяц назад +2

    One thing I see all the lapidary channels say is that the second grit is the one that takes the longest cuz you're going from diamond to resin. So definitely take your time in stage 2

    • @AgateAriel
      @AgateAriel  Месяц назад

      Ohh good to know! Thank you!!

    • @imafreeamerican7443
      @imafreeamerican7443 Месяц назад

      @@AgateAriel I've also seen(not tried myself yet) a marker used to put a grid/spiderweb patten on the surface, run it on the first disc until all gone, go to next disc and do the same. I don't think they did it on the 3rd and definitely not on the 14k final polish. Good luck. I'll let you know how it work for us.

  • @arynnoctavia
    @arynnoctavia Месяц назад +3

    My wife and I were waiting for you to notice that the polished side is shaped vaguely like Lake Superior.

    • @AgateAriel
      @AgateAriel  Месяц назад

      You know what’s so funny, is I didn’t notice it at all until editing the thumbnail and I was like-wait a minute!!

  • @ZyanZik
    @ZyanZik 23 дня назад

    Cool item, but its not a hands 🙌 polish 😊 hand polish is made only with sand paper on a plank; not so bad to hands polish.

  • @ROBERTDOLON-dp1yq
    @ROBERTDOLON-dp1yq Месяц назад

    Hi

  • @johnrnning5362
    @johnrnning5362 27 дней назад

    Gems?

  • @michaelbuchholz2164
    @michaelbuchholz2164 Месяц назад

    Doesn't look very hi-tech. I would say it looks pretty cheap. 😊

  • @borostergirl60
    @borostergirl60 21 день назад

    Oh I would give my left ovary for that!❤

  • @DingleBerryschnapps
    @DingleBerryschnapps Месяц назад

    Overpriced.

  • @ROCKINWHEELERS
    @ROCKINWHEELERS Месяц назад

    You will see scratches. Before moving onto next Grit-! Scratch’s will uniformity. Then unto the next and so on. It will be one GORGEOUS POLISH WHEN DONE!!!