You have to try an 80 HEX grinding wheel

[Mark]

I just got a new 80 HEX DP Galaxy wheel for my Genie.  This is my 4th 80 HEX, but i always forget how aggressive a new one can be.  This wheel is not for the faint of heart.  This is the piranha of grinding wheels.  Scary as this is, they even make a HEX 60 and HEX 30 which i can't imagine using.  The HEX in the name has to do with the HEX or cross hatch pattern of diamonds on the wheel.  The diamonds are laid out in a criss cross pattern diagonally down the face of the wheel surface.  The area between the lines is where the diamonds are laid out and form squares.  Between the squares are the blank lines where there are no diamonds.  This works to give you edges of diamond areas which tend to catch on the stone and grind it faster.  I can grind a preform in no time at all, including super hard agates and others.  But this wheel is not for softer or fragile stones which could break or disintegrate from such an aggressive wheel.  This is a wheel for the impatient or those who need to crank out a lot of cabs quickly.  This speed comes at a cost, $80 more for the HEX version versus the normal 80 grit wheel.  I have had great luck with this wheel and haven't destroyed any preforms or cabs yet, but i am also very careful and don't use this wheel on softer/fragile stones.  If you are impatient like me or need to minimize the time to rough shape a stone, this is the wheel for you.  Now here's a couple pics.

Mark

DP 80 HEX 6" Genie wheel (new):


DP 80 regular 6" Genie wheel (used):


Wheel comparison: 80 HEX (new), 80 Sintered (used), 220 (used):

[RareRocksAndGems.com]

Hey Mark.
I was at the Denver show and considered the Hex for my shaping of specimens. But went with the 60 Sintered. Ever worked with a 60 Sintered?
Philip-

[Mark]

I have an 80 sintered that i use as my first wheel.  If the sintered doesn't chew up the rock quick enough, then i use my 80 hex which is much more aggressive to pre-shape.  I then return to the sintered to finish rough shaping.  Since the HEX is so expensive, i try to use it only when necessary.  Most shaping is done on the sintered.

Mark

[Michael S Hoover - Redrummd]

I use a 60 sintered for my rough work.  Cuts very aggresively with very low harmonic vibrations.  I reverse the direction of cutting at least once hourly on all of my sintered wheels instead of dressing them and I find they wear smoothly as long as I try to use the outside endges for most of the cutting.  It seems no matter how much you try to use the edges enough material still get cut by the middle of the wheels to keep they nearly flat across the face.......

[RareRocksAndGems.com]

I have an 80 sintered that i use as my first wheel.  If the sintered doesn't chew up the rock quick enough, then i use my 80 hex which is much more aggressive to pre-shape.  I then return to the sintered to finish rough shaping.  Since the HEX is so expensive, i try to use it only when necessary.  Most shaping is done on the sintered.

Mark

Thanks Mike and Mark, it's about the same type process I use. 60 to the 80 grit then 60 silicon belt then etc..

I used the cheap Chinese diamond wheels for shaping and found of course they don't last long. So I made this investment in a expensive wheel instead. I've been saving a few boxes of roughs (See below) that need extra work in shaping to be nice. In other words... more work and time. Also, I have three med flat rates of Morrisonite flakes (See below) I've been saving that with a little more work can be very nice display pieces.
Philip-

[socalagatehound]

I use an 80 textured (hex) wheel from Kingsley North for shaping and it eats up even the hardest agate (much to my delight).  As long as I'm careful with the heavy handed approach, it makes shaping much easier, especially on negative cuts.