Cutting lap. Aluminum or Steel

[miketmbt]

I am looking at buying my first cutting lap 600 grit. Is it better to buy one on steel or aluminum?

[miketmbt]

Maybe I should have asked in the Laps forum.

[Frankwood]

I would recommend the thin bonded laps made to sit on an aluminium master lap. They’re about 1mm thick and come with or without a sticky back, the advantage of the none sticky ones is you only need one master lap. I have four 8” ones bonded to four laps, 180, 360, 600 and 1200.

[Frankwood]

The problem with the final cutting lap is runout. I like to use a dial gauge as a stop and having the disc bonded helps a lot. I know which way it has to go on the machine master lap to prevent dial gauge needle flutter.

[davidechols]

I will never pay the price of a steel lap again. I bought some when I did not know any better. Unless your topper on aluminum is way out a final pre-polish with 3,000 on a Batt lap will flatten things out. Lately I have been using a copper lap and charging it with 600 for final cutting. Love it so far and if one does a lot of cutting the savings is substantial. A seller in China has them on Ebay and the 2 I have are really flat. When the cutting slows down just charge it with diamond powder and you have a new lap.

[Lowjiber]

I’ll add another thumbs-up for toppers on an aluminum flat lap. The Chinese versions from EBay are actually better than those sold in the US, in that they have more diamond and are very flat. Add the additional benefit of being half the price when compared to US manufactured disks and it is an unbeatable combination.

There is no need to purchase the toppers with the glue on the back. I just put a very fine mist of water on the aluminum flat lap before installing the topper. Easy.

[miketmbt]

Something like this?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Inch-THK-Diamond-Flat-Lap-wheel-Lapidary-grinding-polishing-disc-Grit-60-3000U/123878545408?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D1436031c6c2740e0bc1d0783a82ac350%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D9%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D132036236426%26itm%3D123878545408%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A9b2af93c-28ce-11ea-a306-74dbd180dd64%7Cparentrq%3A48690d8216f0a9e4765fbeacff99092e%7Ciid%3A1

[davidechols]

I have ordered from Lau for years. Always top quality and quick shipping and around 10 days receiving. Just received a 6″ sintered saw for $10 which is so much better than Pro-Slicer I recently bought. Trusted seller.

[Frankwood]

They look great Mike. Got a spare 9mm thick 8” lap to use as a master, so will get some.

[Frankwood]

Just found out I can get the same laps from my regular supplier here in Australia for just a couple of dollars more. They recommend using the non-sticky ones with a magnetic master lap, so will get one.
Never used them, so maybe other members can offer some advice on them.

[miketmbt]

@davidechols I did order a couple things from Lau. Shipping was really fast. The estimate said between 1/7-1/29. It arrived 1/2.
Haven’t tried yet but all looks good with it.

[steveerichards]

Is there any problem with orange peel with the 1200 grit that we hear about sometimes? Thinking about going with the 1500 grit topper. thanks

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