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How to get the best results from Nubond laps .

Nubond lap properties: Nubond laps are made with a different technique (resin bonding) than the more common plated laps. The result is a lap that cuts like a plated lap with a much finer grit size.

Prepaing a Nubond Lap: Nubond laps may scratch a little until they are broken in. Preparing the lap a little with a "throw away" stone can resolve this problem.

Removing the glazed surface on a Nubond Lap: Nubond laps glaze over when they have been well broken in. This glazed surface no longer cuts and only smooths out the scratch pattern on facets. This is when Nubond laps provide superior prepolishing properties. However, if you want your Nubond to actually grind a little, it can be resurfaced using 325 grit silicon carbide sandpaper. Place the silicon carbide sandpaper on a piece of wet glass. The water will help make the sandpaper adhere to the glass. Wet the sandpaper and put your lap face down on it. Move the lap gently in a figure eight pattern and be careful to remove only the glazing. Then, wash the lap off well with lots of water before using it on a stone.

1200 Nubond Lap: Once broken in, the 1200 Nubond lap cuts more like a standard 4000 grit lap. It provides the best prepolish for quartz and beryl. This lap is for prepolishing, not cutting. For best results, use the 1200 Nubond lap after cutting with a standard 1200 lap or a Nubond 600. The Nubond 1200 lap will produce an annoying orange peel surface on stones harder than quartz and beryl.

600 Nubond Lap: Once broken in, the 600 Nubond lap cuts more like a standard 1500, or 2000 grit lap. It provides an excellent prepolish for garnet, peridot, feldspar, opal and tourmaline. Although this lap will cut a little bit, it is for prepolishing, not grinding. For best results, use the 600 Nubond lap after cutting with a standard 600 lap or a Nubond 325. The Nubond 600 lap will often produce an annoying orange peel surface on stones harder than topaz.

325 Nubond Lap: Once broken in, the 325 Nubond lap cuts more like a standard 600, or 800 grit lap. It provides an excellent intermediate grit surface for most stones. This lap really excels for grinding stones that have difficult cleaveage problems, such as spodumene, or heavily included stones, such as emerald.

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