Australian made Sintered 800 lap

[Buch Metter]

I have just purchased a sintered bronze lap from a bloke in Sydney, Anthony Fitzgerald.  I have read a few comments by Tony and I know the reputation that precedes him, however, I believe that Tony is trying to provide a real tool for facetors so I ordered this lap.
The lap is bronze, sintered with 800 diamond.  It sings.  It is beautifully balanced, cuts super cleanly and quickly.  I cut a sapphire on it and the claim that from the 800 to a 3k prepolish is the desired step is absolutely correct, then onto an 8k polish and the final 100k polish is just a dust up to make the polish shine.
This lap is annealed, slightly porous and has a built-in lubricant for slicker grinding and polishing.  It cuts so easily and the following 3k pre-polish comes in rather quickly without the staining that can occur from other laps (maybe because it is new and has not built up any sludge on the lap or maybe because of the generous use of water to flush the lap during cutting).
It just glides during cutting and is as smooth as silk and whisper quiet.

Everyone looks for ease in faceting and I have found this here by cutting out the need for a 600 and 1200 or 1500 lap prior to 3k prepolish.  Basically, my method now is 260 or 320 lap for shaping, onto the 800 sintered and then the 3k prep.

I reckon he has done a good job with this lap and no, I am not related, partnered or an investor of any sort.  I am just pleased with this lap and I can recommend it at this stage.

I have his contact details if anyone needs to discuss lap details with the bloke. 
Not to be forgotten is that because this lap is locally produced it is easy to send the lap in for redressing or repairs and rebalance.
 And truly, my faceting machine is quieter

[Bucket]

Sounds like a good investment. I know what it's like to use well made laps and it makes a huge difference to the job. Thanks for the report. Can you PM me the details of the laps and Tony's contact, I may be interested.

[MakkyBrown]

I've got one aswell, brilliant lap. 800 to 100k on tin on most stones except sapphire and really large facets. I think OrangePirate might have one aswell. When is gets a bit blunt, sharpen it doing figure 8' and rotating on a sheet of glass with 220grit silicone carbide.

[Orange Pirate]

I've got one aswell, brilliant lap. 800 to 100k on tin on most stones except sapphire and really large facets. I think OrangePirate might have one aswell. When is gets a bit blunt, sharpen it doing figure 8' and rotating on a sheet of glass with 220grit silicone carbide.

Yep! Sure do.   
I concur with all of the above. Well balanced and silky smooth. I go from the 800 to 8K. But that's only because I hadn't considered a larger jump.
Price was very good also. Best I could find 


Cheers
OP

[Pete49]

Would love to get the information too please
Pete

[Ghost]

Hi,
Would like to receive details also.
Thank you,
Regards,   Ghost.

[Buch Metter]

I went your way Makky by going from the 800 -> 3000 -> 100,000 for zircon;  really fast and a beautiful finish in no time.
I do not want to leave out the 3k step just yet because I like that 3k prep for all stones.

[MakkyBrown]

I knurl my tin 100k lap and use a fairly thick/high concentration diamond wax and other stuff mix. Basically a polishing compound from Anthony that I add extra diamond to. I apply a small amount to the knurled surface and smear thinly over the lap surface. Only time I get a cat hair scratch is first couple of swings  across the lap after knurling but after that perfect polish, crank the speed up

[Buch Metter]

You are a family of 4 from Sthn Tas?  As in  ... general location ?  Southport is one of our favourite hideouts.

[MakkyBrown]

Bit further north, Blackmans Bay.

[Dihusky]

Details please, really interested as my Imahashi works best on sintered

[FlashGP]

Gemcuts sells them at about $400 each.  It's also worth asking Leah and Andrew if Aussie Sapphire also sells them.

 

[Aussie Sapphire]

Gemcuts sells them at about $400 each.  It's also worth asking Leah and Andrew if Aussie Sapphire also sells them.

Sorry we dont.  Good product but have had some fairly serious dramas with the supplier in past years to the point where it is not possible to work with him.

Would suggest just going direct - Buch (the OP) can PM his contact details.

cheers
Leah