How to Prep a Copper Lap for Polishing

If you've been wondering how to set up a copper lap for polishing gemstones, then this tutorial is for you.
💖 If you would like to support my faceting endeavors, please become my patron: / justinkprim
✨ If you would like to buy faceting merch like shirts and wall prints: www.magusgems.com
📷 You can find me posting fun gem cutting related stuff on Instagram: / justinkprim
🌐 You can also find my articles and stories here: www.justinkprim...

[@canadiangemstones7636]

Delightfully old school, glad you’re documenting the process!

[@georgeser3939]

Great to see my old work horse, Lord Bunty! That machine was my faithful companion, was sad to let it go😢 and yes, the polishing runs at 1000 rpms max, depending on the weight of the lap. The Bunter laps are extremely heavy but will last a lifetime. Owning a machine like that, with those laps, you're set for life.

[@JustinKPrim]

Agreed. She loves it and uses it every day. Thanks again.

[@georgeser3939]

​@@JustinKPrim❤

[@georgeser3939]

Got another one coming up, Lord Bunt'ys wife, Lady Chanel, a single Bunter equipped with hand piece and Bunter pewter lead lap.

[@pedraspreciosasdosul]

Polimento incrível!😍

[@Algoldprospecting]

Wow that’s a crazy facet machine set up. Very helpful thank you for this video 😊

[@JustinKPrim]

That’s the bunter machine from Switzerland. However the techniques are the same for a horizontal lap.

[@Algoldprospecting]

@@JustinKPrim yeah that’s cool but do they use water? It seams like that would be difficult. Or maybe they use that just for polishing

[@JustinKPrim]

@@Algoldprospecting water for cutting, oil for polishing.

[@michaelpepper885]

Wait....what's the the slurry ratio? How much diamond powder to carrier? And what percent would you consider that ratio?

[@JustinKPrim]

Diamond powder about the size of a dime with 2 drops of oil.

[@Liburni]

Justin thanks for the video. I've been drooling over that machine for a long time haha even though I'm totally crazy about the diamond tang handpiece.Viktorija speaks so beautifully, it's pleasant to hear her voice, so in the future I could make some more videos.Thanks in advance if you can just tell me how fast the disc spins. Best regards both of you❤🖖💎

[@JustinKPrim]

We’re not totally sure but we think it’s around 1000 rpm.

[@quincywoods3221]

I’m glad the instagram algorithm made me come here

[@deborahcraig5760]

I'm having trouble with copper flakes embedding in the stone I am polishing, is that a problem that will self-correct as the copper lap is used more?

[@JustinKPrim]

I’ve not noticed copper flakes. Do you have enough slurry on the lap?

[@deborahcraig5760]

@@JustinKPrim Good point! Let me try with more slurry

[@dantoppa1265]

Great vid mate but be honest a charge your own lightning lap with 8000 diamond works better than copper on all stones ive tried with the exception of sapphire and takes away the potential of metal going into the stone on fibrous stones like spodumene .moonstone ect for the softer fibrous stones the lightning lap resin bonded 8000 works well for pre polish

[@JustinKPrim]

For me I don’t prefer copper. I have a tin lead lap that really love that works on everything. Victoria loves copper and uses it for everything. I’ve seen a lot of questions in forums lately about using copper laps so we wanted to help people get them set up with a video.

[@fabiancurto6484]

The lightning lap 8000 you talking about ?

[@dantoppa1265]

@@fabiancurto6484 yup

[@Algoldprospecting]

Hey Justin thanks for the great information. I just started gem cutting. I’m still seeing tiny scratches on my finished stones . Any advice? Or what’s a good diamond powder?

[@JustinKPrim]

Hard to say without seeing in person, but almost always scratches have to do with your polishing technique as well as what lap you're using and how much abrasive is on it. My polishing sequence of choice is 8000 and then 60,000 grit diamond after a 600 sintered lap for the cutting. Good luck.

[@Algoldprospecting]

@@JustinKPrim ok thanks. I was going to buy your kit but it was out of stock on your website

[@camilorodriguez6884]

Buenos días me gustaría saber cuánto es el precio del disco de faceteo y q referencia es

[@kashifansari6534]

واہ جسٹن واہ

[@burberrygoose]

What grit is the cutting lap? And does she ever switch out the laps or just the same two for everything?

[@JustinKPrim]

The cutting lap is 1200 grit. She usually just uses these two all the time but occasionally if she needs to cut a big stone she will switch to a rougher preforming lap which is maybe 600 grit.

[@gemstonegma]

👍

[@lasanthadilruk8362]

👍