here we go and i’ll prob make some of the u.s.a. makrs mad. in the 70’s i worked for crystalite/ pacific test specialties for jack greenspan the pioneer in metal bonded(plated) laps and i made the flat plated diamond laps. i am still using some of mine now and i demo’ed them at lapidary shows with the boss. there are a lot of new laps coming in from china. in American made we weighed a exact amount of diamond per lap and no more. i’ve bought a few of the china made and they don’t spare the diamond, the laps are loaded. they are on thin steel laps so you will need a master lap under and flex the center to edge carefully in right direction to use or get some inexpensive master laps from guy in texas and their selling the double back disc’s tape in china for 2-3 dollars in 6 & 8 inch i’ve just done so and way, way, cheaper than U.S. laps. i bought a set of 3 laps, a 120, 400, and 1200 6″ for a total including shipping of $16. and they are mush faster the those made here. i bought a 2″ x 8″ ring/grinding wheel 80 grit for $85 and it rips through the rough stones. a U.S. made is 1 1/2″ x 8″, is over $300 and not as much diamond. i’ve since bought more sets and seperate 600 grit 6″ to make sets of 4 and it was $5/lap and some 8″ for bigger faceters. i teach faceting the quick and easy way and have 7 different brand machine for student to try but still only recommend the ultra tec first place and raytech second for accuracy and flexibility.
michael inski, 7302 w. yellowstone, kennewick, wa.99336 1-509-783-9337, gemmakermz@cs.com