New Eager to learn and need a little advice

[RonPaul]

I Just bought 3 cm Countertop slabs (eased edge) for my house that will be arriving in about 2 weeks . I Will be getting my feet wet with this install because i have ambition to do this as a side business if i am successful. If i do take that step i will join the SFA at that time


I need to be led in the right direction for choosing the right tools, polisher, pads, bits.
My tool budget for this job is $500
I have a nice skill saw and quality wood router with 1/2 shank if i can use these somehow.
I have been doing a some searching and found this cheap variable speed wet polisher from Damo Comes with a set of 5.0mm pads for $239

From there website:
http://www.toolskitchen.com/damo-stone- ... ertop.html



Best Value for Polishing Concrete Floor & Countertops;
-DAMO 5" 5.0mm Wet Diamond Polishing Pads Set of 7 including grit 50,100,200,400,800,1500 and 3000;
-DAMO 5" DWP-1257 Variable Speed Wet Stone Polisher;
-DAMO 5" Rigid Back Holder;
-Wet applications only.

DWP-1257 Variable Speed Wet Stone Polisher has new features to perform better than ever. These improvements include variable speed control switch with an automatic speed feed-back system to maintain consistent RPMS with or without a load. This makes it easier for users to see clearly the correspondence between RPM and the switch position they choose to do their polishing job. Furthermore, DWP-1257 has optimized the gear ratio, increased its torque output, makes the job for the operator much easier and efficient.

Specifications


Equipment Included

Rating......................................110Volts


* Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter

Amperage.........................................8A


* Water Valve & Hose

Power..........................................900W


* Faucet / Garden Hose Adapter

Variable Speed..............900-2,950RPM


* Lock On Switch

Weight.............................6.5lbs/2.9kg


* Splash Guard

Spindle Size..............................5/8"-11


* Extra Carbon Brush Set

Maximum Disc Diameter.........5" /125mm


* Side Handle, C Handle

Various Speed Control Switch Corresponds to RPM:
Switch 1: 900 RPM
Switch 2: 1,300 RPM
Switch 3: 1,800 RPM
Switch 4: 2,250 RPM
Switch 5: 2,700 RPM
Switch 6: 2,950 RPM
--------------


Help please

[RonPaul]

The stone is called Lepord Tan I have 4 78"X26" slabs



I will have to polisher it around the stove and other exposed edges


Here is a photo of my trusty wood router

[VThartzog]

Don't use a wood router.....it'll be toast. Those slabs probably come with polished edges so stove and fridge sides need no router and can be done by hand. Usually cheap tools in this industry result in crappy tools that don't last. I have never used a waterfed polisher but hear they all suck and don't last long. Never even heard of damo. Makita variable speed and makita 9227c are good tools and get a n95 dust mask or respirator if you do anything dry. Don't forget a diamond blade for the saw or grinder. One job is not going to get you enough experience for a side business, most will tell you that you're better off buying a hot dog cart. You might be better off working in a shop if you have ambitions for doing this on the side and learning the ropes at least.

What adhesive are you doing seams with? Undermount sink? You'll need more tools than what you have. Hope you ordered an extra piece for screw ups and breakage.

[BReynolds]

X2 on working for another shop first, let all your first mistakes be on someone else's dime!

[Ken Lago]

Go for it man, as you probably already figured out it can't be that hard. Let us know how you progress and good luck with your countertops.

[RonPaul]

HAHA I alredy thought about a hotdog cart and that might not be a bad idea. but what i do have going for me is some very good contacts with local developers also not much compitition here only Home Depot at 70$ per sqft. Lack of experince is my biggest obstical here. I have a good resperator

Ok I found a Makita 9564CV 4 1/2" for a good price. Maybe this is a dumb question. can i use 5" pads on it? and where can a get some good pads online? what brand? Ridgid or simi ridied backing?

for the sink, havent picked one yet but it will not be undermount . drop in sink or maybe a apron but i will have to get a core drill for the taps. 1-3/8" is the standerd size?

and don't i need to get a 3/16" profile wheel for the exposed edges around the stove ect..

[Nick]

but what i do have going for me is some very good contacts with local developers also not much compitition here only Home Depot at 70$ per sqft.

I am curious for curiosity sake as to how you have determined what $70 a ft. means. Do you mind explaining your thoughts on this and what kind of expenses and profit say a 65 ft. Kitchen has?

As for the tools, eBay has tons of pads and tools, and that polisher looks like it wouldn't last a day, let alone a week. Play it safe with makita and buy once.

[VThartzog]

HAHA I alredy thought about a hotdog cart and that might not be a bad idea. but what i do have going for me is some very good contacts with local developers also not much compitition here only Home Depot at 70$ per sqft. Lack of experince is my biggest obstical here. I have a good resperator

Ok I found a Makita 9564CV 4 1/2" for a good price. Maybe this is a dumb question. can i use 5" pads on it?yes and where can a get some good pads online? what brand? Ridgid or simi ridied backing? either

for the sink, havent picked one yet but it will not be undermount . if you're doing I this on the side 98% will want undermount drop in sink or maybe a apron but i will have to get a core drill for the taps. 1-3/8" is the standerd size? yes

and don't i need to get a 3/16" profile wheel for the exposed edges around the stove ect.no this can easily done by hand.

Good luck if you decide to take this venture.

[CustomMarbleGraniteToo]

Hello Ron:

Please fill in your contact signature so we know who we are talking to.


Thanks,

[Nick]

I don't think he needs to do that, he is Ron Paul. Politics not really working out anymore so he is dabbling in stone

[clhilde]

[RonPaul]

For Pads i found 2 sets for around 80$ each are these ok?

SET ONE :


4" JX Shine35 Diamond Polishing Pad set is comprised of 8 pcs including 50 grit, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 3000 grit and a white or black buff pad. Velcro colors are lime green, red, yellow, light blue, green, orange and pink respectively.

3.5mm thickness with spiral design provides longer life
As aggressive as JX Shine pads with great shine
We also offer a 4" semi rigid backing pad for free if you purchase whole set of 7 or 8 pieces, 1 for each grit.
Use wet only
Recommended speed: 4000 RPM

SET TWO:



4" Cyclone Wet Polishing Disc Superflex Series

Premium Wet Polishing Disc for granite, marble & Engineered stones
Durable and high performing against the top brands in the industry
Gains flexibility after continual use
4000 RPM maximum speed
3mm superflex tread
$9.95/pc and $78 for a set of 8 pieces, 1 for each grit. Save $6.65 if you order entire set of 8 pieces

Also I was wondering if any of these tools are usfull/needed for smothing out an edge before polish (eased edge)






I can polish eased edge with the makita 4 1/2 variable speed grinder a set of pads+ RIDGID backer, respirator, gfci plug water apron, and a water hose or am i missing anything?

[Ken Lago]

Those pads look good. Don't spend your money on the other 2 tools unless you know what they are for. With a grinder a blade and pads you are in business, now your ready to make a killing.

[bryce]

Pads look fine
polisher sucks ( buy a vs makita as it is a good tool to have in your garage for other things as well)
if your serious about turning it into a career, work for someone for a bit to figure out how it works.
Granite as a side job is more or less gambling. you might make a few bucks on a few jobs but the first one that goes south and you dont know how to fix it will bury you. Good Luck!

on a side note,
I just noticed they sell scalpel's on ebay, i think i'm going to buy a few and do some work on family and friends, who knows it might turn into a nice little side job. after all, there are doctors in town, but they charge a fortune. If i charge half what they do i'll make a KILLING.

[RonPaul]

Thank you all for the good advice and recommendations. I would love to find a job so i can build some experince. but right now i have to be thinking about this job, Granite is on its way, so is my new makita 5" V-speed (just orderd form amazon)
and i have a few more newbie questions

[RonPaul]

I found a 1-3/8" diamond core bit



are these saw blades ok? I found a great price

5" in size to be used with grinders and circular saws.
8mm segment height with 1.7mm segment width.
Bore size is 7/8" with washer to reduce to 20mm and 5/8".



how about this stuff? should i use this?

Tenax Transparent Knife Grade Polyester 1 Liter


Am i forgetting anything else?

[Ken Lago]

The blade is for tile not a slab work. Core bit and Tenax is right. You need a coloring kit too.

[RonPaul]

Ok , ill scratch that blade.

How about these ones?



The 5" X-RIM Diamond Blades are aggressive yet leave least to none chipping on grantie. It is rapidly gaining popularity among fabricators based on the value they provide. With 10mm segment height, they are also long lasting. Bore size is 5/8"-7/8".

or



The T-segmented Samurai diamond blades are designed for cutting granite. T-segment provides undercut protection to extend the life of the blade. Samurai diamond blades offer faster and smoother cutting.

Dry or wet use
4.5" to 8" available
Continuous rim and segmented designs for some sizes


and the coloring kit.,,,


What else do i need

[Planet Stone]

[VThartzog]

You look like you are good to go. Should a very easy task so let us know how it goes.

[tim farr]

on a side note,
I just noticed they sell scalpel's on ebay, i think i'm going to buy a few and do some work on family and friends, who knows it might turn into a nice little side job. after all, there are doctors in town, but they charge a fortune. If i charge half what they do i'll make a KILLING.

Dude I've been needing to get my knee scoped, maybe we could work something out

[Curtis R. Marburger]

Ron Paul
i would suggest locksmith School and give up stone cutting


http://www.pennfoster.edu/programs-and- ... 4aodwvoacg

[Ken Lago]

Kyler, you need to get started on the job. Be careful now, working with stone is dangerous business, experienced workers get seriously hurt and even killed all the time, you must always read and follow products safety procedures and always have extra help when lifting and moving the stone, always wear steel toe boots ( you do have them, right? ) granite have a nasty habit of breaking when you carry it around and when it hits your foot you will only be laughing if you wear those trusty steel toes. Get to work now and keep us updated, we are all happy and excited when someone like you have the guts to just dive in to the unknown.

[RonPaul]

Thanks Ken
Sure I can post a few progress pics when the job starts. Still wating for the slabs to be shipped from USA also the cabnets are yet to be built. Maybe 1-1/2 more weeks untill i can start

I always wear Steal toe + steal plate workboots around the jobsite so i dont have to worry about stepping on a nail. But Im happy to found this vauable website, I was about to buy the wrong polisher, saw blades and pads Got my supplies for about $450 including shipping , witch is under my budget of $500

I am still unclear on how to do the seaming

is it like this?

1: level everything
2: paste in the poly on the unpolished sides
3: push slab intoplace
4: scrape off excess poly with razor
5: wipe with acetone+ rag
6: finished


or do you seam after the slabs are inplace

[Ken Lago]

Slow down Kyler, wipe on wipe off, wipe on wipe off..........