A new or freshly resurfaced soft diamond wheel has excess resin on its face, and it needs breaking in before it cuts properly: run agate or a similar material across the face, with water on, for about 2 to 4 minutes. Finer grits take longer. Until it is broken in, a new wheel can seem slow or leave a smeared finish. That is not a defect.
Why a new wheel needs it
A soft wheel's face is diamond held in resin. On a new wheel, some of that resin sits over the diamond. Breaking in removes the excess and exposes the diamond so it can cut. The instructions for our SuperNova wheels say to break them in by sanding or polishing.
How to do it
- Mount the wheel with the right bore or bushing, and tighten the stack. See Arbor and bore sizes.
- Turn the water on. Our soft wheels must be used with water.
- Work a piece of agate, or another material, across the face to remove the excess resin. About 2 to 4 minutes.
- Give the finer grits longer. The instructions say finer grits take longer.
What it applies to
| Product | Break in |
|---|---|
| SuperNova soft wheels, every grit | Yes |
| Resin bond diamond belts, for lapidary | Yes |
| Wheels back from resurfacing | Yes, the same way |
| Resin bond smoothing belts for glass | No |
| Hard wheels: nickel bond, sintered | Not covered by these instructions |
SuperNova soft wheel. Break in before first use.
Resurfaced wheels
A wheel back from resurfacing has a new diamond resin face, and it needs breaking in the same way as a new wheel: agate or similar, with water, for 2 to 4 minutes, longer on the finer grits.
Questions we get
My new wheel is not cutting. Is it defective?
Probably not. New soft wheels have excess resin on the face. Break it in: agate or similar, with water, for 2 to 4 minutes, longer on fine grits.
What do I use to break it in?
Agate, or any other material. Our instructions do not require a special dressing stone.
How long does it take?
About 2 to 4 minutes. Finer grits take longer.
Do I need water?
Yes. Our soft wheels must be used with water, including during break-in.
Does a resurfaced wheel need breaking in?
Yes, the same way as a new one.
Do the glass belts need breaking in?
No. Our resin bond smoothing belts for glass do not need it. The resin bond belts made for lapidary do.
It still is not cutting after breaking in.
Check the fit on the shaft, then call us at 714-771-7007. See also Reading a worn soft wheel.
Related: Arbor and bore sizes, Reading a worn soft wheel, Grit progression for cabbing.