Laps
Laps are the flat, rotating discs that shape and polish your stone. You move from coarse to fine, and each stage removes the marks left by the one before. Skipping a stage is one of the most common beginner mistakes.
The progression we use
This is the sequence taught on this site. Each stage removes the scratches left by the previous one.
Achieves a clean, reasonably accurate pre-cut without spending excessive time perfecting every meet point. Use a water drip system to prevent overheating.
- BondMetal, diamond
- LubricantWater
The lap is charged with diamond powder applied with a light oil, which creates a smoother, lubricated surface. Check each facet with a loupe and bring them close to their meet points.
- BondDiamond powder
- LubricantLight oil
Used with a diamond spray, commercial or homemade with diamond powder and alcohol, for a consistent final polish. Meet points must be perfectly aligned at this stage.
- BondDiamond spray
- LubricantAlcohol-based
Our picks by level
Six generic electroplated discs to learn the cutting progression, and a diamond paste kit for pre-polish and polish. Paste is applied to a polishing lap, for example a 6 in copper lap. The discs are thin (1.5 mm), so check how your machine mounts laps and use a flat backing if needed.
- Cutting grits80 to 3000
- Polish grits14,000 to 200,000
- Disc size6 in, 1/2 in arbor
- LinkAmazon affiliate
A step up in flatness and consistency. Plated diamond discs handle the cutting, and D’Lite toppers handle pre-polish. Bonded toppers hold the diamond in a resin surface, so there is nothing to charge, and they run on water. They need an aluminum backing plate.
- CuttingPlated, 260 to 3000
- Pre-polishD’Lite, 8,000 and 14,000
- Disc size6 in, 1/2 in arbor
- LinkDirect, no commission
If you cut on a Raytech Shaw, start with the maker’s laps. The Deluxe package includes diamond laps at 260, 1200 and 3000 grit, a Lucite lap and Spectra polishing laps. Extra laps are sold separately by the maker.
- In the Deluxe package3 diamond + polishing laps
- Extra lapsFrom the maker
- LinkDirect, no commission
For the last stages, add D’Lite toppers at 50,000 grit and a 100,000 diamond paste for the final polish. Our own final step uses a diamond spray, commercial or homemade with diamond powder and alcohol, as described above.
- CuttingPlated or maker’s laps
- PolishD’Lite, 50,000
- Final polishDiamond, 100,000
- LinkDirect and Amazon
Quick comparison
| Setup | Level | Cutting | Polishing | Where to buy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter set | Beginner | Generic diamond discs, 80 to 3000 | Diamond paste on a polishing lap | Amazon | View |
| Plated and bonded | Intermediate | Plated diamond, 260 to 3000 | D’Lite toppers, 8,000 and 14,000 | Specialty dealer | View |
| Raytech Shaw laps | Intermediate | Maker’s diamond laps | Lucite and Spectra laps | The maker, direct | Order |
| Fine finishing | Advanced | Plated or maker’s laps | D’Lite 50,000, then 100,000 diamond | Dealer and Amazon | View |
What to check
Match the lap to your machine
Laps differ in diameter and arbor size, and some machines only take their own laps, so check both before you order. The plated discs above do not fit Ameritool machines. For a Raytech Shaw, ask the maker: its NuBond laps are no longer sold, and the dealer lists D’Lite toppers as an alternative. Premium machines such as the Ultra Tec sell their own laps.
Keep each lap for one job
Never mix compounds between laps. Label each lap, clean it when you switch media, and store it flat in its own case.
Start with three stages
Begin with the stages you will actually use: cut, pre-polish and final polish. Add other grits only when you hit a limit.
Links labeled « on Amazon » are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links to dealers and makers, such as Kingsley North and Raytech Shaw, are direct links and earn us nothing. Prices, grit options and stock change, and some dealer grits were sold out when we checked in October 2026, so check the seller’s page before you buy.
Laps chosen? Now dops and accessories.
Dops hold the stone while you cut. See how to choose them, and the small tools that make the work easier.
Choose your dops →