POLISHING ROCKS on a Hi-Tech Diamond All-U-Need 8" Flat Lap | Polishing Rocks #3

HUGE CHANNEL ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
Hi-Tech Diamond has graciously offered to sponsor our channel!! We are teaming up with them to showcase some of their awesome lapidary equipment. They sent us the ALL-U-NEED 8" Flat Lap to help with our rock polishing and the boys waste no time putting it to use as they have been itching to polish some of their recent finds from this past season. Our first impressions of this machine are awesome! Easy to set up out of the box and even easier to operate. This 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
- 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
1:29​​​ Huge Channel Announcement!
3:03​​ 80 Grit Electroplated Diamond Disc
7:25​​​ 180 Grit Electroplated Diamond Disc
11:02​​​ 325 Grit Diamond Smoothing Disc
13:27​​​ 600 Grit Diamond Smoothing Disc
15:13​ 1200 Grit Diamond Smoothing Disc
17:07​ 3000 Grit Diamond Smoothing Disc
18:23 14,000 Grit Diamond Polishing Paste​
19:56​ Results
23:00​ Hi-Tech Diamond Affiliate Link and 10% Discount Code Details
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@Marlaina Atkins
@Montana Rock Mom
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[@Fishing_and_fun]

The sound of rocks grinding is a marvelous sound to me, I miss being able to do that considering how we haven’t been able to afford a machine to grind/polish rocks/minerals

[@earljohnson2676]

I had my wife buy me the Same flat lap for Christmas birthday you name it . Cool video

[@newyorkrockheads8995]

Absolutely fantastic that Hi Tech Diamond gave you guys the hook- up.Those machines cost a pretty penny and to give you one for free is awesome. You can do so much more in less time.I like that it’s so easy for the boys to use.Have fun and I will definitely look forward to some great videos.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks man! They are a great company for sure and we are very happy to be affiliated with them.

[@lisacooper8240]

congrats guys for your new sponsorship... Rock on guys!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks Lisa!!

[@rockinwitht9948]

This is so exciting for you!!!! And you guys did a great job on your rocks!! So many cool things were revealed! Have lots of polishing fun!!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks T!! I see us using this machine in a lot of applications.

[@bettyroche7912]

Congrats on the sponsor!! Great job guys!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks Betty!!

[@linabaliashvili2495]

Well done boys!!! Thank you for shearing! Warm hugs from Portland...

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks Lina! Warm hugs right back at ya!!

[@CityRockhounding]

The love the 8in hi-tech flat lap polisher. Great first run guys. Keep up the great work. Loved this video!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks! It's a great little starter machine!

[@MsSandraCGL]

You boys did so good, how proud are you Dad?

[@RockhoundingLife]

I'm always proud of them! They did a great job!

[@clarkriccobuono3903]

Great video. I like how you teach your boys.

[@pamelabrown3020]

Excellent, guys! But you’re making me seriously jealous-not only do I crave your amazing Nova Scotia agates, I’m also pining for that 8” All-U-Need.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Well I can say with confidence from my first impression that it's worth the price. It's under $500. I don't think you can get something cheaper brand new. And the machine itself doesn't feel cheap. It's well built. We plan to use it for cabbing, jewelry making and polishing flat stones. They also make a 6" version that is a little more affordable.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I've had it for I think 10 months now and it's a nice machine but with a few upgrades its really really nice. The real down side to the machine is the water system it comes with. Currently I have pump system for mine but even a bigger water feed system is worth it. I've also had some issues with diamond grit transferring into the resin disc when I first got it and sometimes that can still happen if you don't wash the rocks really well between stages.

[@RockhoundingLife]

The water system is a bit of a draw back for sure. But in my limited use of the machine I find that you need more water for the electroplated discs. Once you hit the smoothing (resin) discs you can dial the water way back and still have plenty of lubrication. Not sure i'll upgrade the water system in the future. I may rig up something DIY style but It wasn't really bothering me too much to be honest.

[@MrDuffy81]

How long do the disks last?

[@grantfahlman1815]

Nice to see Travis finally wanted to be a rock-star along with Chase and Nolan. Great team work guys! Pretty easy to use machine, it appears. Good to see some benefits coming to the channel, :-).

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks Grant! And yes...Travis did NOT want to miss being apart of this video! I think he might be coming around 😉

[@colleen-neophyteores8191]

Congratulations on your sponsorship and great choices to start with boys!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks Colleen!

[@cherylarmstrong6400]

Great video. I like that your boys can easily use the machine. Congrats on the sponsorship.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks!! It's an easy machine to use for sure!

[@dougbernick2129]

Nice job kids, Dad you need to give those kids a big golden star. They did a great job. I think you got some Idea what to do and. what not, The comments are all great. And I seen guys like Currenty Rockhounding do their magic on the rocks. Harder material Means harder job of Polishing.I would go to the dollar store and buy some Tooth brushes and clean the disks in a bucket or water before you use an other rock on It. Some times It needs a good cleaning. I got alot of DIY stuff and any UP grade Is Awesome! Just keep It fun and You’ll have some great Memories.

[@RockhoundingLife]

They did a great job for their first time. I didn't do as well my first time! It will take time to get the process down with the grits and timing. I can get a mirror shine using my polishing pads and drill so I know its achievable. Thanks for watching!

[@katecarpenter7366]

Awesome job boy's, you deserve the sponsorship! I see you fixed the tumbler!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks! Tumbler still not fixed😪. I have some epoxy and resin coming for another project that I'm going to try.

[@kriskarson2195]

🙂 Greetings from Poland 🇵🇱 good job 👍

[@MarlainaAtkins]

Congrats on the new toy. You guys did a great job. Those are beautiful✨

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks M! Still have some kinks to work out but they did great on their first go around!

[@terrydoucette6037]

Great tutorial Jason ,I like the ease of this set up ,could be one in my future,great job boys!

[@RockhoundingLife]

They are great and easy to use. If you do get close to buying one use the link in this video!

[@WorldofRockhounds]

I like the rock that Travis did. Very unique and nice. That's something that I would put in my rock room if it were me. But yes...for the first try...pretty good job! Keep it up! Rock on!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks! Travis has that rock mounted on his shelf in his room for everyone to see! It's a cool rock for sure. Lots going on in it. Thanks for watching!

[@10kLakesRockhounding]

Well...that’s exciting! 🤩

[@RockhoundingLife]

Boys were really stoked!!

[@juliemckenna514]

That’s awesome news congratulations! 😊

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks! 😀

[@MsSandraCGL]

Thank you Hi-tech!

[@RockhoundingLife]

💯!! Thank you indeed!!

[@juliemckenna514]

Great job guys you make it look pretty easy!

[@RockhoundingLife]

It's a very easy machine to use. Thanks for watching!

[@yoopermann7942]

great job young men! this is another great video! thank you

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thank you!! 🙌

[@jackandpiper]

What a cool machine! Great job boys!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks!

[@MsSandraCGL]

Awesome, I'm so happy for you

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks!!

[@ginalanning5303]

Looks incredible! Always great when the kiddos love natural things. Just wondering where the breathing protection is though. Silicosis is a very real danger. But great job!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks! We were wet Grinding and the water suppresses over 95% of the dust. The real danger is during cleanup when everything is dry again. I've worked in the mining industry for 25 years I've seen first hand what silicosis can do and know the proper measures to eliminate the dangers. Since this video however the boys wear respirators using the flat lap. Thanks for your input and suggestions though it is much appreciated!!!

[@ZmarleneZ]

great video - love the boys! thank you

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks 🙏

[@jagers4xford471]

Lucky guys, what a score and it's not even Xmass. Rocks look awesome after polishing!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks!

[@oneofakind6313]

nice to see.. Good for future reference learning curves..

[@RockhoundingLife]

💯!!

[@smyatt1]

Love the intro. You are all getting pretty KZbinr savvy! Travis is a hoot.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks so much!!

[@reginaadkins8837]

Your video convinced me that I need this flat lap! My machine came today. I'll be sure to order more supplies from your link.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Sweet!! Thanks!!! Let us know how it works out for you.

[@reginaadkins8837]

@@RockhoundingLife So far I am just using it to get the saw marks from slabs and shaping hearts and tear drops. I haven't advanced to the second disk. Is there a coarser grit wheel I can order? It takes a long time to get all the saw marks out. Most of my rocks are MOH 7.

[@RockhoundingLife]

@@reginaadkins8837 yes, they have 60 grit and 80 grit wheels. I have the 80 grit wheel and it works very well for Grinding.

[@christopherort3045]

Cool video. Definitely getting one next year

[@RockhoundingLife]

You should!

[@Silvertoburn]

Thanks for the video, looks like a good machine!

[@RockhoundingLife]

It definitely is! Thanks for watching!

[@thomaslockwood8870]

I grew up with two brothers.

[@darrinwilliams5715]

Right on guys, now you can make your agates pop!!!

[@RockhoundingLife]

💯💥

[@406findings]

Nice job guys I got the same flat lap and just did a vid on polishing one of my Montana agates, but the 80 grit disc really grinds down those scratches and saw blade marks and I use more than one polishing paist and it works nice 👍

[@RockhoundingLife]

It's also tricky getting the scratches oit left by the 180 disc. The 325 smoothing disc has a hard time getting them out, especially on the very hard agates.

[@406findings]

@@RockhoundingLife very true I got the purple 220 and it works well for the scratches left by the 80 and the 180 grit disk cuz I had the same problem but it's a learning process for sure.

[@OzoneFineArtVentures]

Great video about the Hi-Tech All You Need and the fun for the whole family! You ended up with some nice polishes and that's awesome that they are supporting your channel. I've had one since almost when they first came out and it's a love affair that'll last my lifetime for sure. Looking forward to seeing your video once you're tuned up on it. Cheers!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks! Did you end up getting the 220 smoothing disc or the 260 electroplated diamond? If so did you notice an improvement in your overall polish?

[@OzoneFineArtVentures]

@@RockhoundingLife On the flat lap, I have a 100 and 180 diamond and then I go to the brown or #325 and it works fine. I work smaller, I usually do cabochons and facets and it works fine. I have a video coming out today with me finishing an obsidian cab that way if you want to see. I have the #220 mini disc (purple) for my hand polishing/carving array of discs and it's a great demi-step. For larger stones, you really need to get it all the way flat before moving on to the next grit or those scratches won't go away. Cheers!

[@RockhoundingLife]

@@OzoneFineArtVentures Hey thanks for the info!! I'll be checking out your video for sure!

[@OzoneFineArtVentures]

@@RockhoundingLife Cool, thanks. Hopefully it's helpful.

[@OzoneFineArtVentures]

@@RockhoundingLife I finally got it up there on my channel. Let me know if you have more questions!

[@stellabelikiewicz1523]

YAAAAAAY!! I’m so excited for you guys! I literally just received one of these, and I can say, in my experience so far, the 325 smoothing disc is not able to get out the scratches from the 180 diamond disc. All my rocks so far have ended up with noticeable scratches no matter how careful i try to be about avoiding cross contamination and spending proper time on each grit... From what I have been able to tell from asking around, a 260 diamond disc is needed to make that step properly effective. Will be interested to see how you guys fare going forward. I’ll definitely use your affiliate link for my future Hi Tech purchases! Also, something about the way Travis said “basalt” made me chuckle out loud!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Yep!! That's exactly what we noticed! The 325 disc wasn't getting the scratches out from the electroplated diamond 180 grit disc. My plan is to get the 260 electroplated diamond disc and the 220 diamond smoothing disc to have an overlap and see what combination works better. Thanks for watching and providing that info!!

[@scottishwifie14]

Great video I have got the 6 inch slant cabber for Christmas can’t wait to try it out, what speed setting did you use, I have some small Scottish agates I found on beaches to try and also try to make Australian opal cabochons.

[@RockhoundingLife]

I run the electroplated diamond griding discs at 4 and the polishing discs at 6

[@user-hc8tb8ny4f]

Should one use a plastic scrub brush with soap and water to clean the discs after every use?

[@RockhoundingLife]

You could. I don't do that. I find the water keeps it clean

[@askndeniz5781]

Hello good work. You set up the system well. I want to flow from this machine and discs too, can you help me?

[@gems2jewels]

Hello RHLife, This is a timely video and demonstration. I had no idea I would ever need a Flat Lap, but recently I have acquired some pretty amazing rocks that can't be tumbled and I really want them to shine. Thanks for sharing the video. Those rocks are real beauties!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Sounds like great timing!! If you decide ide to buy one me sure to access the site via our affiliate link in the description. It gives us a little kick back 🙂. It's a great machine for the price!

[@johnny0253]

what do you do with the polishing disk with the polishing compound on it after you finish polishing the rocks??? you wash it??

[@RockhoundingLife]

No. You can leave it on.

[@lapidarydave]

Awesome video my friend it’s going to help thousands of people who are interested in this machine for sure :) If you don’t mind me asking did the 80 grit come with the all you need machine? Back in the day that all you need machines only came with 180 grit the coarsest grit And folks would have to go out and get rougher grits themselves

[@RockhoundingLife]

I ordered the 80 grit electroplated diamond disc and the 3000 grit diamond smoothing disc separately as they don't normally come with the machine. In the future I will probably order the 260 grit electroplated diamond disc as the 325 smoothing disc wasn't getting the scratches out form the 180 disc.

[@lapidarydave]

@@RockhoundingLife I totally know what you mean my friend :)

[@RockhoundingLife]

@Lapidary Dave I'm checking out your channel. Can't believe I haven't subscribed yet! Lots to catch up on!

[@lapidarydave]

@@RockhoundingLife Same brother I was really happy to find your channel too

[@eliezersilvadesouza7377]

Show 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@RockhoundingLife]

🙏💯

[@BirdWhisperer46]

Yup, I gonna get one next check. How long do the discs last?

[@RockhoundingLife]

Ive had mine for 3 years and haven't replaced my discs yet

[@RockhoundingLife]

Be sure to use our affiliate link in the video description and the code RHLIFE at checkout to get discounts on accessories

[@BirdWhisperer46]

I ordered an 8" flat lap machine, the glass model. It got here today, 5 discs and 2 backing plates. I got a deal on it, I guess cause it's the glass grinding model, but, the motor base is the same as the stone lapping base. Now all I need is to buy a set of stone lapping discs and I can do both.

[@lyndenmorrison4047]

I just got one of these in the mail. So after a year of using this machine, what discs are you using? I live in NS and and polishing the same kind of material. Thanks!

[@RockhoundingLife]

I have all the disc's. But for polishing agates I use the 260 Grinding Disc. Then I go through the polishing disc's starting at 220 - 3000. If you are making smooth cuts then the 260 is all you need fir Grinding. If you are getting a lot of saw marks however after cutting then you should probably start with the 80 grit or 180 grit disc to save time. Hope that helps!

[@lyndenmorrison4047]

@@RockhoundingLife great, thanks. Can’t wait to try it out this week!

[@edtherockhound9944]

Where can I buy the adapter for the Arbor for the drill I can’t find one

[@RockhoundingLife]

I think this is the one I used. Follow the link below to purchase it from my Amazon associate account link. www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00DHJK9JS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rockhoundin04-20&camp=15121&creative=330641&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00DHJK9JS&linkId=fe761926591b379ca9364ee028565572

[@kevinunger433]

That’s the problem I’m having , getting rid of the small scratches.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Hi Kevin, watch this video. I break down how I get rid of the small scratches. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKPddKSVorujf5I

[@mikehawk5251]

Are these good for opals?

[@RockhoundingLife]

I would say yes. They are good for all forms of silica.

[@workkevinw]

What do you do with all those rocks?

[@RockhoundingLife]

The rocks we polish usually go on display in our house or they are gifted to friends and relatives.

[@cours458]

are you happy with it or now that you used it you'd like something else? I'd like to do the same thing.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Yes I am still happy with it and use it all the time. Once you figure out what works and what doesn't it is a great little polishing unit.

[@cours458]

@@RockhoundingLife thanks :)

[@johnny0253]

you need a mask to use that or is the mask for cutting rocks?? i know one of them they say to protect your lungs

[@RockhoundingLife]

You need a mask for sure cutting rocks. You also need one for each grinding stage using the flat lap.

[@askndeniz5781]

Hello.. what is the price of the machine Can you send 1 piece? and with the discs?

[@RockhoundingLife]

The machine costs around $500 and comes with discs. You can use our link and affiliate code for discounts on accessories.

[@askndeniz5781]

@@RockhoundingLife Watshsap tefone me..??

[@HuntfishtrapWhitefishriver]

Great job boys! Check out my agates!

[@RockhoundingLife]

👍💯

[@angelahighwolf]

Can you contour rocks on it?

[@RockhoundingLife]

Yes. Very easily. You just need to keep the rock moving along the contoured surface evenly.

[@sandrafischer3185]

Less with the annoying music and more with talking about what you are doing. Also letting us hear the sound the machine is making. Not a good video as far as demonstrating the machine for a person looking to purchase.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks for the feedback. I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you have about the machine to help you make your decision. You can email us at [e-mail]