Summit Metal Bond Wheels Surface Preparation for Polishing

Question :

What materials can I use the Alpha® Summit Metal Bond Wheels on?

Answer :

Alpha® Summit Metal Bond Wheels are designed for use on granite, engineered stone and marble. (Please be aware the life of Summit Wheels will be shorter when used on marble).

Question :

Alpha® Summit Metal Bond Wheels are offered in what sizes?

Answer :

Alpha® Summit Metal Bond Wheels are available in 6”, 8” and 10” diameters.

Question :

What grits are available for the Alpha® Summit Metal Bond Wheels?

Answer :

#50, #80, #200, #400

Question :

What is the RPM range I should use the Alpha® Summit Metal Bond Wheels?

Answer :

6” = 800 RPM 8” = 600 RPM 10” = 400 RPM

Question :

What BAR pressure I should use when using the Alpha® Summit Metal Bond Wheels? We suggest the following

Answer :

6” = 35 lbs. 8” = 75 lbs. 10” = 85 lbs. (Please note that the Metal Bond Wheels are very aggressive; you may only need the weight of the spindle head in some cases for your grinding applications)

Question :

What is the grit sequence of the Alpha® Summit Metal Bond Wheels?

Answer :

#50, #80, #200, #400

Question :

Do I need to use all the Metal Bond Wheels in sequence?

Answer :

Yes. However; in some cases, you may not need to use the #50 grit first. This #50 grit wheel is extremely aggressive and is designed to remove deep scratches and clean up the gang saw marks on the backside of granite.

Question :

What is the polishing sequence for use of all Alpha® Summit Wheels for granite application?

Answer :

Normal polishing sequence for all granites except (RED Granites) is as follows: #50M, #80M, #200M, #400M, #500R, #1000R, #2000R, #3000R and BUFF (Black or White) For polishing “Red” granites, we recommend the following polishing sequence: #50M, #80M, #200M, #200R, #500R, #1000R, #2000R, #3000R and BUFF (Black or White)

Question :

I need to grind the back side of my granite to make table legs, can I start with the #80 Metal Bond Wheel?

Answer :

Yes. We recommend starting with our #50 grit Metal Bond Wheels since this wheel is much more aggressive and will smooth the material quicker than the #80 grit Metal Bond Wheel.

Question :

Alpha® Summit Metal Bond Wheels are available in three sizes, which one should I use for my polishing needs?

Answer :

The 10” diameter wheels are the most popular size today. Fabricators are using this size for large area polishing and repairs on slabs, countertops and vanities. The 8” diameter wheels are also popular; however, it does not cover as much area as our 10” diameter wheels. The 6” diameter wheels are used for polishing the backside of backsplashes and scratch repairs around sink bowls as well as small tiles. The 6” diameter wheels are also popular for the monument production.

Question :

Why does Alpha® offer a #200 Metal Bond and #200 Resin Bond Wheel?

Answer :

We offer both metal and resin bond for the #200 grit due to the different granite hardness classifications. When polishing red granites, we recommend the following grit sequence: #50M, #80M, #200M, #200R, #500R, #1000R, #2000R, #3000R and Buff. We double-up on the #200 grit for red granites and eliminate the #400 Metal from the polishing sequence to prepare the surface of material (eliminating all metal bond scratches) prior to moving on to the resin wheels which product the final polish on the granite.

Question :

Alpha® Summit Metal Bond Wheels can be used to grind Engineered Stone, can the Alpha® Resin Wheels polish the Engineered Stone?

Answer :

Yes. It is true the Alpha® Metal Bond Wheels can be used to grind engineered stone; however; our Resin Bond Wheels are not suitable for polishing Engineered Stone.

Question :

The Alpha® Summit Metal Bond Wheels come with threaded bolts and thread pins, what are these used for?

Answer :

These bolts and pins are used for attachment purposes. The threaded bolts are used to secure adapters or plates directly to the Summit Wheels. The threaded pins are another quick way to be able to use the Summit Wheels. The best way to mount the wheels to any radial arm machine is to drill two 3/8” holes into your radial arm drive plate. Then the two threaded drive pins are screwed onto the Summit Wheel. The two drive pins simply slide onto the holes for fast secure wheel changes. (See diagram for how to drill your drive plate)

Question :

What machines could these Alpha® Metal Bond Summit Wheels be used on?

Answer :

Radial Arm Polishers/Work Stations and Computerized Numerical Controlled (CNC) machines.

Question :

Do I need to use water when using the Alpha® Summit Metal Wheels?

Answer :

Yes. Water is required for all Summit Wheels (Metal, Resin and Buff).

Question :

Do I use the same amount of water for the Summit Buffing Wheel compared to the Metal & Resin Wheels?

Answer :

No. We recommend you wet the surface of the material and buff one particular area to generate heat build-up when using the Final Buffing Wheels. Once you start to generate heat build-up, move the Buffing Wheel to other areas of the material to create heat-build up. If the surface becomes dry, add a little water for lubrication. Do not run this wheel completely dry!