Cheap and effective lapping compound

[Mick BaileyParticipant @mickbailey28509]

I was in need of some different grades of lapping compound and thought I’d try burning some wet and dry paper and mixing it with grease. 1 sheet makes a useful  quantity and the resulting product is superb. I just tore it into strips and burned it in a stainless pot. The first sheet was done in the workshop, which was a mistake. I hadn’t accounted for the resin in the paper and the stink. The main thing to watch for is that the paper burns completely – I used a small propane torch which worked well.

Perhaps this is common practice, but it’s new to me and maybe there are others who weren’t aware of this.

[DC31kParticipant @dc31k]

Are you aware that silicone carbide grit is available to buy in small quantities?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182746658717

[BazParticipant @baz89810]

There is also valve lapping paste available in fine and coarse grades from car accessories shops.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

New paper only I presume?  Grit extracted from used paper will be contaminated with metal, making it necessary to chemically clean re-cycled grit.  Burning is another potential source of contamination.

Just a guess contamination might be an issue;  I see lapping as a high-polish process, where the last thing I’d want to risk  is scratches due to dirty grit.

Be interesting to compare laps done with new grit and those with Mick’s stuff.  Needs a microscope.

Dave

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

I have done the same thing when I ran short of lapping material . Despite SOD’s pessimism. I found it to be very effective.

Andrew.

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