ALL-U-NEED FLAT LAP From HI-TECH DIAMOND | A Comparison to DIY Setups | Polishing Rocks #3

In this video we polish one of my favorite rocks on our All-U-Need 8" Hi-Tech Diamond Flat Lap and compare the result to our DIY drill polishing set up results on the same rock. It gives a great comparison as to the shine you can get with this machine. Our first impressions of this machine are awesome! Easy to set up out of the box and even easier to operate. The All-U-Need 8" Flat lap is an awesome machine for beginners who are just getting into the hobby as well as kids. I can see us using this machine for multiple applications and projects in the years to come.
As an affiliate of Hi-Tech Diamond we can offer you a 10% discount on their products!
Just use our Hi-Tech Diamond Affiliate link:
hitechdiamond.com/?aff=41
10% Discount Code: RHLIFE
Use at checkout, no expiry so use as many times as you want!!
The discount code is not valid on machines or gift cards but can be used on all other products such as:
- Diamond Smoothing Discs (1/2" Arbor)
- Electroplated Diamond Discs (1/2" Arbor)
- Diamond Saw Blades (5/8" Arbor)
- Diamond Carving Tools (fit any Dremel style tool or flex style hand piece with 3/32" Collet)
- Dopping Supplies
- Glass Grinder Bits
- Polishing Compounds (Cerium Oxide, Diamond Paste)
- And much more!!
The video is a bit longer than usual so I have broken it out into sections so you can navigate through it better (see below). THANKS FOR WATCHING!!
0:00​​​ Intro
3:27​​ 80 Grit Electroplated Diamond Disc
5:35​​​ 180 Grit Electroplated Diamond Disc
6:09​​​ 220 Grit Diamond Smoothing Disc
6:27​​​ 325 Grit Diamond Smoothing Disc
6:44 600 Grit Diamond Smoothing Disc
7:12 1200 Grit Diamond Smoothing Disc
7:29 3000 Grit Diamond Smoothing Disc
7:55 14,000 Grit Diamond Polishing Paste​
8:24 Burnishing
8:52 Results #1
10:33 3000 Grit Do-Over & Results #2
12:13​ Hi-Tech Diamond Affiliate Link and 10% Discount Code Details
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[@ElleyKnowsRocks]

Thanks for the shoutout dude!!! Nice Dad/ kid joke at the start!!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Ha! He's been doing this a lot to me lately, trying to catch me off guard with dad jokes. Thought i'd throw him a bone and include this one since it was pretty good! I work in the mining industry and love your videos. You have some really interesting spots in AZ! Keep the awesome vids coming!

[@upnorthadventureswithccc]

I really enjoyed seeing the comparisons. All good to know for those of us that have not started to do any polishing either way yet. Thanks for sharing 👍😀

[@RockhoundingLife]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@TheALTGaming]

Very hard to find unbiased videos that are actually sponsored by the product. This was super informative and well made thank you sir!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@OzoneFineArtVentures]

Cool idea for the comparison experiment. I love my HI-TECH All You Need! Interesting results, thanks for making a video about it!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks Karen! I love it too. Its super easy to use, and I almost have it figured out. Once I do it will be my go to machine for most polishing.

[@sandmaker]

My latest batch of cerium oxide was bad. I cleaned up my pad used new premium cerium oxide and I'm happy again! Be safe and stay healthy 😷⚒⛏

[@RockhoundingLife]

I'm really not a fan of cerium oxide. I'm going to clean my pad and switch to an aluminum oxide coating. Thanks for watching!

[@r.awilliams9815]

@@RockhoundingLife Take a look at Raybrite A, a 0.5 micron AO polish. It's relatively inexpensive at $12 US a pound. Kingsley North has it in stock.

[@RockhoundTreasurehunt]

Very cool! Now that I watched you polish a cool piece I'm dying to start my next one. It's very fulfilling. It's an artform and your pretty good at it! RockOn!!

[@RockhoundingLife]

You are right it is very rewarding! Especially when you do a favorite piece and it turns out great. Thanks for watching!

[@oregonaje4827]

That’s good information! Thanks!

[@CityRockhounding]

I enjoyed seeing a comparison of both, very interesting results. Cool video, thanks for sharing your process and tips.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tracykeats7394]

Have recently come across your videos and I'm enjoying your outings and demos. I've been tumbling rocks for a few years and have tried the polishing pads in an angle grinder with some success. Now I'm saving for a flat lap like yours! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂

[@RockhoundingLife]

Awesome, thank you! I used the drill and polishing pads for many years. The flat lap is definitely a time saver but if I have a piece that I really love and want that next level shine I always go back to my drill and polishing pads. Thanks for watching!

[@MarlainaAtkins]

You did get a pretty darn good polish using the old setup. But that polish on the flat lap is brilliant! Nice job. I want one so bad

[@RockhoundingLife]

The flat lap has its challenges, but once you figure them out its a great time saving alternative to the old setup. You should join Hi-Tech diamonds affiliate program!

[@jesseechavarria8488]

That is a great piece. Nice colors. Good video, I'm gonna check out more. Thank you.😀👍

[@RockhoundingLife]

Awesome, thank you!

[@GermanGemcutter]

Thanks for the comparison👍 Wonderful Agate🙂

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeytex3161]

Appreciate the post. Still on the fence with flat opposed to angle.

[@RockhoundingLife]

What are you primarily interest in using it for? Cabs or just polishing flat surfaces?

[@jeytex3161]

@@RockhoundingLife I would say 80% cabbing.

[@RockhoundingLife]

@@jeytex3161 the Slant cabber might be a better option for you then. It seams like it would be easier to work with smaller pieces. If you are doing larger flat surface polishing then the flat lap would be the way to go.

[@jimlancaster6120]

Thankyou so much for the info.

[@RockhoundingLife]

💯😀🙏

[@clarkriccobuono3903]

I think both sides look great

[@brentrichie3592]

Very nice and super polishing.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mattrichards1492]

Very helpful video at comparing two. I'll stick with my setup for now.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@stonedpicker5627]

Looks great!

[@RockhoundingLife]

🙏

[@tattoofthesun]

Personally, I’d have cut in with a rock saw to the dense color and made cabs lol

[@WorldofRockhounds]

Very interesting comparison! Thank you for making this video!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thank you for watching! Doing the vibratory lap this week!

[@donnalantz7981]

I too have a Hi Tech flat lap. Haven't tried it yet. Have to get my workshop set up first. But can't wait to be able to now. I have several larger stones I need to polish on it. Thanks for the comparison. Learned something new.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Awesome! If you have any questions on it's use or getting shine i've been spending a lot of time on it lately and can offer my insight. Good luck with it and thanks for watching!

[@donnalantz7981]

Thank you. I do turn to a few of the KZbin rockhounders for help on different issues may have or questions. I love watching you and your boys video adventures. You have awesome kids.

[@angef9687]

Great comparison video! I definitely agree that the diamond pads on the drill did a better job. My daughter LOVED the opening joke (she's 7 so that was right up her alley)! Thinking of you and the boys during all the chaos. They are set to start easing restrictions here in Ontario for June 14th which means my rockhounding wedding anniversary adventure will be a go. Take care and thank you for the great video

[@RockhoundingLife]

Fingers crossed. We can't get to any beaches right now. Thanks for watching!

[@grantfahlman1815]

I must say, that sounds like a pretty fine anniversary to me, ;-)

[@angef9687]

@@grantfahlman1815 my hubby was skeptical at first as he thought I wanted a diamond for our 10 year. I laughed and said "No but a big chunk if amethyst will do!"

[@mawi1172]

I often get scorned for answering when asked for an opinion. Its nice that you shined them up in the middle however, the outside round part is the boho part of this piece. Looks like a dinosaur bead.😂😂😂 That whole piece is a complete museum exhibit.😮😢😮😢😮😊😊😅😅😅😅❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@RockhoundingLife]

Your assesment is bang on! The outer parts transtion to limestone so they don't take as good a shine as the silica rich center.

[@eng12b3p]

Thanks 😊, I Just got the Hi-Tech 8" Flat Lap and ordered diamond plates, acrylic backings, bushing and a polishing pad. I used your code and saved some money. Thanks again.

[@RockhoundingLife]

HI Roy!! Thanks a lot, really appreciate you using our code during your purchase! If you have any questions about the flat lap feel free to reach out anytime. Our email is in the description. Have a blast with your new flat lap!

[@eng12b3p]

@@RockhoundingLife I will definitely keep using your code because it saved me $25. The only thing i don't really like about the Flat Lap is the water system. I'm probably going to upgrade that here soon. Have you polished Obsidian yet? Do you know where I can get some whole Thundereggs at a decent price? Thanks again for all you do.

[@silverback5033]

Hi RHL, good idea for the video. I have only just purchased the diamond pads for my grinder, so it is nice to see that you can get a good polishing with them that is comparable to a flat lap in finish. Thanks for 5he info. Keep Safe & Keep Rockin.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Glad it was helpful! The diamond pads give the best polish IMO. It just takes awhile especially on the earlier grits if you need to grid out any saw marks. But the lower RPM really works well. Thanks for watching.

[@michelleschrader8482]

Thanks for the video. I used your affiliate link and save on some of the extras I purchased with my slant cabber

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thank you so much Michelle for using the code and supporting the channel!!! It's very much appreciated!

[@alczek]

Great experiment. Good analysis of what was going on. Both gave great polish. What are your thoughts on using an angle grinder instead of the drill. I get the same wheels like the drill would, I would imagine.

[@RockhoundingLife]

An angle grinder would work as well. It might be a bit more awkward. Make sure it's a variable speed so you can control RPMs.

[@maiqtheliar4347]

there was probably some contamination on the 14k wheel, it should probably be kept away from dust until it's in use

[@mrfxm55]

I owned my All you need for 11 years and did 1000s of cabs by hand on this unit. Get the 8 inch for ultimate control.

[@RockhoundingLife]

💯🙏

[@RockHoundingAdventures]

Nice, I need to add a few of those disks to my flat lap like the grinding 260, and polishing 220/3000. I just upgraded the water system. I have a issue with those deep scratches too. What I normally do after washing the stone in between the stages I will grind for a while then dry the stone which helps show all those deep scratches.

[@RockHoundingAdventures]

I’ve thought about exploring some other polishes. I will definitely ask that question to hi-tech when we have them on the on the podcast. Thanks for sharing brotha. Enjoyed it

[@RockHoundingAdventures]

Also your getting so close to 2.5k subs

[@RockhoundingLife]

You can get away without the 260. I haven't used it much. The 220 and 3000 discs are a must though. The key is the 180 disc. If you can finish that disc with no marks on the surface then it will be a good polish, otherwise the polishing discs cant remove the scratches.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Hi-tech diamond provides the diamond paste for polishing. I switched to cerium oxide but the results are the same. I think it may actually have to do with my polishing wheel itself.

[@dougbailey5933]

I've been struggling with my Hi-Tech as well... It's worth noting that the setup you are using includes a bunch of disks that are not included in the All-U-Need kit. I have been struggling with getting rid of the scratches from the 180-grit grinding disk. The next disk in the All-U-Need kit is a 325 polisher, and I can not get the grinding scratches out of the center -- it's almost as if the 180 grinding disk left a slightly concave surface. If I intentionally grind a convex surface, I can remove all the grinding marks. But not if I leave it flat... I had planned on supplementing the All-U-Need kit with the 260 grinding disk. I will still try that, and I will also try simply being less forceful with the 180 grinding disk as you show. For the problems you were having with the final polish -- is it possible you ended up with a bit of contamination from an earlier disk embedded in your felt polishing pad? Everything I've watched about polishing (either with a lap or a tumbler), the people with the best success are *very* fussy about avoiding contamination. Even without the 3000 grit pad you used (again, not included in the All-U-Need kit), I haven't had a problem getting a mirror finish on curved surfaces. I just can't manage it on a flat surface. Thanks for an excellent video!

[@RockhoundingLife]

This is true. However, I find that in my case the 180 grit disc is the key. If you finish with the 180 disc and you still see white scratches then you didn't use it long enough and your polish won't be good. The polishing discs 220 through to 3000 will not remove those scratches. If you can get the scratches out after the 180 disc then it doesn't matter which polishing disc you start with. You can start with the 325 disc. The only discs that I added that I would 100% recommend people add as well are the 80 grit disc (for tough grinding) and the 3000 grit polishing disc. It's too big of a jump from 1200 to 14000. The 3000 grit disc is a must IMO. Thanks for watching!

[@warrenbyrom693]

I just got a hi tech flat lap and I'm having the same problem after a couple attempts. I recently acquired some polished agates, half nodules that were polished in the way you describe with a convex shape, grinding the outer couple millimeters of the face down a bit more than the interior. Have you had any more luck with getting scratches out of a flat grind?

[@dougbailey5933]

@@warrenbyrom693 I haven't spent much time trying to get a flat lap -- summer came and I got busy outside. I'm generally happy with a slightly convex surface, so haven't spent the time (yet!) trying to solve this problem.

[@mikecapps4996]

I have the Hi Tech diamond flat lap machine you are using, i am having problems finding any information on the right speeds for each grit. Could you do a self help video on this? I use a tile cutting machine similar to yours but plan on getting the Hi tech diamond saw in thee future, the rock clamp helped sell me on it. Thank for the videos

[@emdorris3319]

Thank you for showing the process. I only have the grinding wheel and pads. Can’t afford a hi-tech. That specimen is beautiful. I lol at your son’s joke.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks for watching! The grinding wheels and pads work really well. Stick within your budget and what works for you!

[@scarybarry224]

Great video! Do you have any experience using a SCOTTCHEN Diamond Grinding that comes on an aluminum disc. Wondering how to attach this to the acrylic backplate?

[@RockhoundingLife]

No I dont sorry

[@davidwaller7095]

Good video! I use the same style of polishing pads on my homemade lap except I use Velcro backing ( Its a little quicker changing discs) and I found the same polishing pads that go up to 6000. I hit the 6000 for just a minute after the 3000. It gives a mirror polish without using the cerium oxide. But I think I will try some cerium oxide and see how it dose. I love the rock that you are polishing! Did you harvest it yourself or buy it online? I have a very good supply of petrified wood, agates and quarts deposits near me so I mostly work with that. Thanks! Keep posting!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Hi David, Yes it was a rock I collected many years ago. After 3000 grit it looks very good. On my DIY drill and velcro polishing wheel set up I can get a mirror finish on this material up to the 3000 grit disc. Thanks for watching!

[@danielkarczewski2467]

Love your videos keep up the good work " ROCK ON " So did you redo the rocks " ? How long at each step did you work on the rocks ? thanks Dan

[@RockhoundingLife]

Not yet. The grinding steps on the flat lap (80 grit, 180 grit) take the most time. It depends on the amount of scratches and saw marks. But once you get to the polishing stages (220 and up) each stage takes about 10 minutes.

[@danielkarczewski2467]

Thank You " very very very " much for the information. " ROCK ON " LOL Dan.

[@kathyfocht3718]

It looks really great ! So you still need to get a trim saw ? I'm trying to learn how to do this.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Yes. You should have a small trim saw if you are going to polish rocks. The less material you have to grind away the easier it is on your flat lap.

[@kathyfocht3718]

Thank you ! The man I talked to at hi -tech was very helpful !

[@AwakenedWordsmith]

How much time would you say it takes you to finish a rock or cab on the DIY drill set up, VS the hi-tech flat lap?

[@RockhoundingLife]

DIY setup takes about 4 hours. Flat lap can take 1-2 hours depending on size and surface.

[@tikeswarpradhan6082]

Sir 🙏 thank you so much I love 💕 this video 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

[@RockhoundingLife]

Most welcome!

[@NewVegasMPx]

I’ve always been a rockhound, but I’m only just now getting into cabbing. I’ve got a cheap setup with an old drill press for a start. I’d rather not spend hundreds of dollars on flat laps right away. What grits would you recommend for a start? Possibly looking for 3.

[@RockhoundingLife]

If only going with 3 grits i would do 220, 600, 3000

[@anitawilliams2187]

I just bought this machine. It is coming with a set of discs. What other discs should I get to have a full opportunity for success on this grinder? I also want to grind glass edged for stained glass work. Thank you.

[@RockhoundingLife]

I got the 80 grit disc for pieces I want to contour polish. For flat surface polishing In addition to the disc's that come with the machine I got the 260 electroplated Diamond disc as well as the 220 and 3000 smoothing disc's. I don't even use the polishing wheel with the diamond paste much anymore as I find the 3000 grit smoothing disc gets the ultimate shine. Hope that helps!! You can email us using the email in the description if you have any more questions.

[@ssteele1812]

I wonder if changing the rpm of the all-u-need to match the drill would improve the results.

[@RockhoundingLife]

That was my thought exactly. I was only running the flat lap at 3 on the dial (out of 6) and I definitely saw better results from previous polishes.

[@ssteele1812]

Every time I've used cerium oxide, it was on a very slow wheel.

[@davidhorvat478]

Im no profi, but maybe if you try to use green hard paste for stone polish like they do by torquise,… maybe then this agate will glow with this type of disc polish

[@chuckneese1282]

Would it help to turn the rock in circles so all parts of the face get the different speeds of the spinning wheel?

[@RockhoundingLife]

I do a figure 8 pattern now. Really helps with the shine.

[@eduardoarantes7630]

Amigo tudo bom você tem contato como arrumo esses discos quero aprende essa arte

[@RockhoundingLife]

Follow the affiliate link in the description of this video. That will take you to the hitech diamond website. If you purchase anything use our discount code RHLIFE at checkount for 10% discount. Its a great machine for beginners.

[@StrifesResolve]

what settings are you rocking for this??? speed wise

[@RockhoundingLife]

For the electroplated grinding discs I use 3. (Instructions say you shouldn't go past 4 on the grinding discs) For the polishing discs I use 6.

[@kevinunger433]

Just started watching your channel, question on this material? What are you calling this rock? And if it’s what I think you said , how long has it been called that.

[@RockhoundingLife]

It's a limb cast of a cycad plant/tree from the early Jurassic. So we call them cycads. But they are actually limb casts.

[@RagnarRocks]

Polishing is frustrating man, way to hang in there!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Truth 💯

[@davidnorton7037]

Are the speeds for the drill and flat lap the same?

[@RockhoundingLife]

No. The flat lap is variable speed. there are 6 settings. The drill has one speed which is about equivalent to half speed on the flat lap.

[@turbochargeit]

Do you think this has to do with the speed of the drill compared to the flat lap?

[@RockhoundingLife]

Perhaps, but with the harder materials i find speed only matters in the time it takes to polish.

[@nanasloves]

Is the diy setup safe for kiddos too? Thanks!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Yes. They still need to wear safety glasses and face mask/respirator.

[@BirdWhisperer46]

I wish you had mentioned how long each step took.

[@RockhoundingLife]

The grinding stage is deoendent on tue rock and the cut. If there are lots of saw marks it takes longer. Once you get to the polishing discs they should only take a couple of minutes each

[@jenniferallison5710]

I want a flat lap because I have many cut stones that need a polish on the cut sides. So do you still like the hi tech diamond machine still before I purchase?

[@RockhoundingLife]

The flat lap is a great machine for beginners. It's easy to use and very quick to set up right out of the box. With practice you can get a very good polish on this machine. If you do decide to buy one name sure you use our affiliate link in the description!

[@macmcabee328]

Just my opinion but I think that you would have gotten a better polish with the Flat Lap if you would have taken more time with it. Just saying. But this was a good video. Thanks.

[@RockhoundingLife]

You're definitely not wrong. This was one of my earlier polishes on the flat lap. If i went back amd polished that rock over again with the experience ive gained since on the machine it would be 100% better. This was a big piece and probably too big of a flat surface polish for my skill at the time.

[@VersaiOnline]

Do you still use this machine? I don't see any videos about it in the past year that prove it has worked out for you. Although I see you've tried other brands and styles of flat lap. Perhaps you could make a comparison video of hi-tech vs covington?

[@RockhoundingLife]

Hi there. We have multiple videos since this one showing us using the flat lap. We use this machine for our smaller stones. The covington is used for larger rocks.

[@TyOtis]

Cerium oxide is only really great for silica rocks (like opal, agate, jasper etc) as it has a chemical component to the polishing, ie. it’s not just mechanical…. Otherwise, maybe your cerium oxide disk is contaminated with dust/grit… Try aluminium oxide for polishing non-silica rocks as does just a mechanical polish, and will tend to work better for these rocks.

[@RockhoundingLife]

I use Aluminum oxide for all polishing. I get fabulous results.

[@denisking2883]

Maybe use aluminium oxide instead of cerium oxide

[@darrinwilliams5715]

I really needed a video like this. I am planning to get that exact flat lap. I use a cab king right now, but it’s hard to polish flat stones on it. Ps I’m still interested in some seam agate, but having a hard time contacting you.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Hi Darrin, Did you try our email address in the description? If you are on IG or Facebook you can rea h me there as well. If you do buy a Hi-Tech Diamond flat lap it would be awesome if you navigated to their website through our affiliate link in the description and buy the machine there. That way we get a commission for the channel. I'll send you some killer seam agate as a token of my appreciation! 😉

[@darrinwilliams5715]

@@RockhoundingLife my email to you failed, I don’t know why. Using your link is no problem. I don’t know exactly when I’m going to order it.

[@RockhoundingLife]

@@darrinwilliams5715 Try this email [e-mail]

[@katrinadavis2730]

I suppose they expect all to go to “work” at our “jobs” in order to get cool tools “like that”

[@laurat5143]

Hey the plosh looks good but you had placed the rock right in front of your words. Could not see it clearly.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Sorry Laura!! There are lots of spots in the video I think where I show the surface.

[@juliomorales4154]

You really sold me on that 😪

[@RockhoundingLife]

😬

[@warrenbyrom693]

Ha! I have been using the diamond polishing pads and getting a fantastic shine. Just ordered the hi tech all u need because it's a much faster easier process, and very disappointed in the comparison you demonstrate here. I'm guessing that some combination of the two will be optimal.. like using the flat lap up until 1200, then switching back to the drill and pads for the rest. Maybe??

[@RockhoundingLife]

Don't get discouraged by this video. I have since improved the shine from the hitech flat lap and I can get the same shine, although it is a bit trickier. The key is in the earlier grits. 80 - 260

[@warrenbyrom693]

@@RockhoundingLife Ah, that is good to know. I have been having a steep learning curve with the hitech machine, even having trouble getting a perfectly flat surface with the grinding pads in order to proceed to the polishing pads. It was recommended to me that I try max rpm's for the grinding (3500) and press the piece as hard as it takes to prevent any vibration or "skittering", and just keep grinding for longer (I also used the sharpy method and it was not enough).