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How to Choose Your Cabbing Wheels

How to Choose Your Cabbing Wheels

What to Know Before Choosing a Cabbing Wheel

We offer a variety of diamond wheels to accommodate a range of grinding and polishing needs. Find exactly what you need and why you need it with this article. This article covers the difference between resin bonded and metal bonded cabbing wheels, the quality of different brands, and the difference between diamond wheels and silicon carbide wheels.

Resin & REZ Wheels:

The most common diamond wheels are the diamond resin wheels. These are a low cost, high quality option for smoothing and pre-polishing stones.

These are the same ones that come with the Cab King units. They're an excellent choice for cabbing and contour smoothing. These wheels have a soft backing for flexibility which allows for softer curves due to the wheel’s forgiving surface.

Diamond REZ wheels are similar to the resin wheels but they have a premium resin binder that allows for a longer wheel life. These slightly more aggressive wheels require a small amount of breaking-in for optimum use.

Diamond Nova wheels are some of the highest rated wheels on the market for quality and durability. These wheels are manufactured to ensure a high-quality cutting experience for the first time you use it and for years to come.

Electroplated Diamond Wheels:

Standard Diamond Wheels are the grinding wheels featured on Covington and Diamond Pacific combination and grinding units. These electroplated and nickel-bonded diamond wheels are balanced for smooth operation. The hard backing of an electroplated wheel makes them a great choice for projects that require shaping, such as cabbing. The inflexible wheel backing makes this kind of diamond wheel much more aggressive than a resin wheel.

Textured Diamond Wheels are similar to the standard wheel in that they are electroplated and designed for shaping and grinding. These wheels have a cross-hatch texture on the surface which allows for easier washout of sediment when grinding. Textured wheels are more aggressive than standard wheels because the sediment is less likely to build up on the wheel’s surface which can prevent an effective grind.

Sintered Diamond Wheels:

Sintered diamond wheels are the most cost-effective grinding wheel. Under proper care, these wheels will outlast any of the other diamond wheels. The new Ultimate Sintered Diamond Wheel by Covington has more than 3/16 of an inch of 100% concentrated diamond sintering. The diamond is dispersed evenly throughout the sintering and balanced for smooth operation.

Silicon Carbide Wheels:

Silicon Carbide Wheels are still a great lower cost option for grinding and shaping stone work pieces. Many of the grinders and combos are still available with a silicon carbide wheel option. These wheels are an effective and more economical choice for many consumers.

Cork & Felt Wheels:

We have several sizes available in cork and felt wheels for polishing glass. Use cork in combination with pumice for a hazy finish. Use felt with cerium
for an optical finish on your glass. These wheels have a dense construction and are designed to last.

Expandable Drums:

Expandable drums are designed for use with either diamond or silicon carbide sanding belts. These wheels are a great choice for contour grinding
and pre-polishing. Simply slip your sanding belt into place, turn the unit on, and the wheel is ready to use!

These economically priced wheels are featured on Covington’s two station and four station expandable drum units.

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