Thread: alumina instead of diamond?

What does anyone think about the idea of using the 0.3 micron alumina suspension instead of a 0.25 diamond compound to finish with? How fast might it cut compared to diamond?

Polishing Compounds, Paste, Sprays, Suspensions

Fist of all, nothing cuts faster than diamond. Suggesting that there is anything to compare to the cutting ability of diamond is folly. However, there are certain other treatments that might eliminate some of the harshness of an edge produced by diamond. CrOx, CeOx, Linde "A', Yellow Bar, Chalk etc. are just a few of the treatments that may or may not suit your tastes.

There are some of us who believe that nothing compares to the dead solid edge coming directly off a top quality stone like a Jnat, Coti or Escher.

As always, it comes down to personal preference which is acquired by much trial and error over long periods of time. Spend a few bucks, relax and enjoy all the new experiences that happen along the way.

Alumina is way softer than diamond so it will cut slower. However there are guys here who have used it and I'm sure one will come along.

If you get alumina get levigated alumina. it won't clump.

Originally Posted by bcarrigg90

What does anyone think about the idea of using the 0.3 micron alumina suspension instead of a 0.25 diamond compound to finish with? How fast might it cut compared to diamond?

Polishing Compounds, Paste, Sprays, Suspensions

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bcarrigg90

If you are looking for something other than diamond spray, try Carbon Boron Nitride ( CBN ) in a variety of micron sizes down to .125 micron.
They claim it is faster than diamond. I tried some and I don't see any improvement over the diamond spray.

Results for cbn - Search

I agree with Mrsell63, it will boil down to personal preference. I personally would be more concerned that the aluminum might leave something behind.

We've got the chromium oxides, the aluminum oxides, the cerium oxides, the silicone oxides, the cubic boron nitrides, the diamonds, and the this-ides and the those-ides. So long as they are harder than the steel you rub on them, those abraders probably will wear away that steel. If some sub microns are pointier than other sub microns it's possible that the finish the pointees leave will be somewhat sub-micron rougher than ones left by the rounder sub-micron abraders, but that may be able to be determined only by the face of he who applies the steel to that particular selection of sub-micron abraders.

And then you have to strop on linen or cotton or modern miracle seat belt canvas or felt and then on cowhide, horsehide (then there's that cordovan stuff), or kangaroo hide, or... to preserve the sub micron polish you just achieved. Arrrgh.

I wish I could get answers through this headache that just cropped up.

And then there's this lithium stuff they seem to think might help me...

Originally Posted by Bruce

And then there's this lithium stuff they seem to think might help me...

As long as you powderize it in a with a left handed meat tenderizer and use it on a "good day" it might work.....LOL

Originally Posted by Bruce

We've got the chromium oxides, the aluminum oxides, the cerium oxides, the silicone oxides, the cubic boron nitrides, the diamonds, and the this-ides and the those-ides. So long as they are harder than the steel you rub on them, those abraders probably will wear away that steel. If some sub microns are pointier than other sub microns it's possible that the finish the pointees leave will be somewhat sub-micron rougher than ones left by the rounder sub-micron abraders, but that may be able to be determined only by the face of he who applies the steel to that particular selection of sub-micron abraders.

And then you have to strop on linen or cotton or modern miracle seat belt canvas or felt and then on cowhide, horsehide (then there's that cordovan stuff), or kangaroo hide, or... to preserve the sub micron polish you just achieved. Arrrgh.

I wish I could get answers through this headache that just cropped up.

And then there's this lithium stuff they seem to think might help me...

Watch the Lithium it causes Kidney failure after years of use.

Really you don't need to fret about this stuff. Just do a little reading here and use what the majority use and you will be fine. if you want to strike out on your own and experiment with exotic stuff well then you have a task before you.

The biggest thing i was wondering is whether using a softer slower cutting compound would make it easier to get past the .5 micron level without getting an overhoned edge.