RE: ATM alternative grinding materials

["Mel Bartels" <mbartels@efn.org>]

>>>
I have experimented with the ordinary sand and found out that this kind
of material is absolutely insufficiend for glass grinding. It breaks
down after a couple of strokes and seems to do very poor work on a
glass. My next  idea is to use silica. As I remember from the university
mineralogy course - silica is 1.4 times softer than emery, and 2 times
softer than aluminium oxide. The difference is not too big. I found out
that the grit used in metalurgy for sand blasting and moulding is almost
pure silica. Now I'm almost sure that it will work but before I try I'd
be happy if anyone will confirm or deny this idea.
<<<

Yes, sand has no endurance!  I tried it myself, and one goes through
piles of it trying to grind a mirror.  I've had reasonable success
borrowing grit from other industries, namely, sand blasting grit.  It is
not as enduring as silicon carbide but does last long enough to be of
use.


Clear skies, Mel Bartels
http://www.efn.org/~mbartels