Flat Lap vs Cabbing Machine: What Is the Difference?
Flat laps flatten and polish flat surfaces; cabbing machines shape and polish domed cabochons. Here is which one you need.
The short answer
A flat lap machine works on flat surfaces. A cabbing machine shapes curved surfaces, so it makes domed cabochons. Many lapidaries eventually own both.
What a flat lap does
A flat lap machine spins a flat disc charged with abrasive. You hold the work against it to flatten a surface, smooth a slab or polish a flat face. It is the tool for flat cabochon backs, faceting preforms, slabs and flat polished pieces of stone, glass or crystal. See How to Choose a Flat Lap Machine.
What a cabbing machine does
A cabbing machine carries a stack of grinding and polishing wheels. Because the wheels are round, you can shape the curved dome and edges of a cabochon and polish them, all on one machine. Examples include the CabKing 6 Inch Grinder Polisher and the Covington 8 Inch Grinder Polisher. Read What Is a Cabbing Machine?.
Which do you need?
- Making cabochons: start with a cabbing machine.
- Flattening slabs, flat backs or flat polished pieces: use a flat lap.
- Glass and crystal: models are made for both rock and glass, so check the version.
A slant cabber sits between the two: it presents the stone at an angle to a diamond disc to shape a dome.