Lapping compounds

Jewelry Discussion
1

We had a conversation recently about how to get into tight spaces to finish them and a lot of good suggestions came up. I don’t recall them including using various lapping compounds. They are available in various grits and can be moved around with finger pressure or various wooden dowels, tooth picks and custom shaped pieces of soft wood. Does anyone use lapping compounds and, if they do, can you comment on how well they work? Thanks…Rob

2

I do something really strange. I go to my local wood craft type store. There they have powdered grit. mist are in the 1000 to 3000 range. Some are less. I just take a tiny amount mix it with a drop of water, and it works well with the toothpick method. I also run a length of dental floss through the paste. Nice thing is it is cheap. You get a big sized container for a few dollars. This in 2012, and it will last you a life time.

2 Likes
3

Aggie…Is mist a typo for most or are they really in a mist form? Regardless, sounds like a great idea proving that sometimes the best solution can be simple and cheap…Rob

4

most.

5

Thanks…Rob

6

Hi,

I wanted to understand what Lapping compounds are…

here is an interesting article…

i did not know that “lapping” stands for “LAP” …”Loose Abrasive Process”…

or that they are commonly used where precision, flatness, and tight tolerances are required…

julie

2 Likes
7

“Loose Abrasive Process” is a false etymology.
Lap comes from the Old English “wlappen” (to fold or wrap) through the Middle English “lappen.” One suspects because the polishing was done with folded or wrapped cloths charged with abrasive.

3 Likes
8

Hi Elliot,

Interesting! thank you!

I stand corrected!

julie