Diamond dust - really.


On Thu, Apr 17, 2014 at 2:45 PM,  wrote:

>
> So how do they drill, grind and polish a diamond, if there is nothing
> harder to use in the process? Ergo, the drilling, grinding, polishing
> medium must be something softer, eh?
> Lee
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: paul womack 
> To: leeburk ; OldTools ;
> scottg 
> Sent: Thu, Apr 17, 2014 2:05 am
> Subject: Re: [OldTools] Old Dog, New Trick - AKA Diamond sharpening
>
>
> leeburk@a... wrote:
> > but haven't I heard in the ancient past that sometimes something softer
> can be
> used to cut something harder?
>
> Ooh - that's a nasty and deceptive partial truth/understanding there.
>
> What you're semi-recalling is that *when lapping* the harder of the two
> metals
> (commonly cast iron and high carbon steel, in engineering circles) is worn
> away.
>
> But the thing doing the wearing is diamond or SiC grit, which is harder
> than both.
>
> The explanation is that the abrasive particles embed in the softer
> material, and (hence) scrape over the harder material.
>
> In model/workshop engineering some processes use
> lead laps to work mild steel.
>
>   BugBear
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>
> To change your subscription options:
> http://rucku
s.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
> To read the FAQ:
> http://swingleydev.com/archi
ve/faq.html
>
> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/">http://swingleydev.com/archive/
>
> OldTools@r...
> http://rucku
s.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>