Replies

1. 
   wallyo | Mar 28, 2003 03:12am | #1

   No unless it is a diamonded bit and even then it has to be water cooled I think. I had the same except it was a shower seat. Took it to the stone fabricator I asked if they used a router. They told me that something that small they just use a angle grinder with diamond pads working up in grit . I paid them forty to do two feet.

   But they also said the pads are about 50 each and they use for grits.

   Wally

2. 
   migraine | Mar 28, 2003 07:27am | #2

   Need to use diamond on marble, but I was told by one fabricator that carbide router bits can be used on some limestone.  I think it was without water and the bits don't last forever.  Try a Company in Anaheim, Calif.  It is called RockHard and they sell 4" diamond pads in an assortment of gits from 36to 1220 (I think) and they are hook and loop.  They are used dry(not wet) and can be used on a makita 4" grinder.  Not too expensive for the set and you can get more than 2 feet out of them, even in granite.  They also sell different grits of diamond router bits and the local fabricators use a 3hp variable speed Porter Cable router with a bottle of water for cooling the bits( that gives me the Willies every time I see them do it. Water and power tools don't mix)

1. 
   wallyo | Mar 28, 2003 08:07am | #3

   Did not mean to imply that the pad or disks would only do two feet, that is how much I had done and the cost was forty.  But I have seen the pads you are talking  of I think the hook disk is about 30-40 the pads 20 or so each. you still need 4-6 grits at least.

1. 
   migraine | Mar 28, 2003 08:18am | #4

   From my memory, they run about $10.00 or I may be wrong.  You can use almost any hook and loop pad.  Just remember to not let the pad get hot or you will melt the hooks on the pad.  Been there, done that.  I know that some tile shops have local guys do edging for them and they usually charge around $11.00 per foot for granite and marble tiles.

1. 
   wallyo | Mar 28, 2003 08:32am | #6

   The ones I saw were at a supply house that is the best in town but they tend to sell at list.  I NEVER PAY LIST.  It is good to know they can be had for less.

3. 
   KARLSTER | Mar 28, 2003 08:31am | #5

   If it is truly marble and not granite you should be able to put a 1/4 round on it using silicon carbide sandpaper.  For the initial shaping you will get better results using a 60 grit silicon carbide grinding stone on a angle grinder.  You might want to just burn through a handful of sandpaper discs instead though as a new stone tends to vibrate severely unless you use a wheel dresser to balance the stone.  This can be a bit challenging until you get the hang of it.

   Alpha Professional Tools makes some marble polishing discs (I think they call them PVA discs) that are some proprietary abrasive for around 30 dollars for a set of five.  I have tried them and the above mentioned method and almost always opt for the diamond wet pads.  In a pinch though I could get by fine with sandpaper.  You might try with aluminum oxide if silicon carbide paper isn't availible.  Start with 60, then 120, 220, possibly 320 and then try a bar of white buffing compound on a cloth wheel turning at low speed (3000rpm or less).

   I think the previous post suggesting taking it to a local fabricator is the most sensible route but I understand the appeal of trying to do something oneself regardless of cost effectiveness.

   Harbor freight actually sells diamond wet pads for around 20 bucks a set.  They are so cheap I have never taken them seriously but China is turning out some diamond abrasives that perform adequately at incredibly low prices so it might be worth considering.  the most important thing with them is to run them at a low speed (1000 to 3000rpm and keep them wet.  Most angle grinders wont go this slow without a variable speed.

   Karl

4. 
   jarcolio | Mar 30, 2003 05:26pm | #7

   Thanks to all -- last year I tried a belt sander on a piece of marble with 60 grit and it just did not work - barely took the edge off it.  That is why I was curious about the router route.

   I'll look for the 4" diamond grinding pads and try to get a set -- I know my marble guy polishes to 5000 grit an it is well worth it for them to do the 2 feet I have -- $40 is cheap but I am the kind of guy that takes great satifaction I knowing I can and did do something that most do not even attempt.  However, I think I'll pass on putting my router through this effort because the grinding seems to be the way to go -- thanks to all who shared what they know - it's invaluable

1. 
   Snort | Mar 30, 2003 06:08pm | #8

   The tile setter that did my shower, rounded over and polished two marble shelves with an auto body pad and abrasives...

   http://www.levineautoparts.com/mmmabrasives.html

   Stickit. He used it on a Makita grinder. Slick and quick.

   Good luck EliphIno!

2. 
   wallyo | Mar 30, 2003 06:57pm | #9

   I am the same as you it was a complete and utter breakbown of my personality to pay some one to do it for me at the time I don't think breaktime existed.  And it did hurt to write that check for forty bucksbelieve me.