Description
Natural quartzite sits at the extreme end of the hardness spectrum for countertop materials, and laminating it into a 3cm+2cm construction for this eased/straight profile demands aggressive tooling parameters that would damage softer stones. This template delivers the elevated RPMs that quartzite requires across every polishing position, from the 3675 RPM roughing pass through the 4200 RPM final buff. The resulting 1.969-inch profile height creates a bold, thick edge appearance on materials like Taj Mahal, Super White, and Sea Pearl quartzite. Fabricators should expect accelerated tool wear compared to granite or marble operations and plan their pad inventory accordingly.
Related Templates
Eased/Straight Edge Profile (Granite) - 2cm+2cm Laminated
Eased/Straight Edge Profile (Marble) - 2cm+2cm Laminated
Eased/Straight Edge Profile (Porcelain) - 2cm+2cm Laminated
Eased/Straight Edge Profile (Quartz (Engineered)) - 2cm+2cm Laminated
Natural quartzite sits at the extreme end of the hardness spectrum for countertop materials, and laminating it into a 3cm+2cm construction for this eased/straight profile demands aggressive tooling parameters that would damage softer stones. This template delivers the elevated RPMs that quartzite requires across every polishing position, from the 3675 RPM roughing pass through the 4200 RPM final buff. The resulting 1.969-inch profile height creates a bold, thick edge appearance on materials like Taj Mahal, Super White, and Sea Pearl quartzite. Fabricators should expect accelerated tool wear compared to granite or marble operations and plan their pad inventory accordingly.
Installation Overview
Quartzite lamination fabrication begins with ensuring an exceptionally strong epoxy bond between the 3cm top slab and 2cm bottom strip, as the high cutting forces required for this material will stress the lamination joint significantly. Verify the seam at the 0.787-inch position is free of voids or weak spots before mounting the slab on the CNC. The roughing pass uses a 25mm finger bit at 3675 RPM, approximately five percent higher than granite settings, because quartzite's extreme hardness requires more aggressive material removal to avoid bit deflection and chatter marks. Feed rate should be kept moderate at 35-55 IPM since quartzite resists cutting more than any other natural countertop stone. The seam polishing pass at 2625 RPM addresses the lamination joint before progressing through the full polishing sequence. Metal bond pads run at 2940-3150 RPM to establish the scratch pattern, then resin bonds take over from 3360 RPM up to 4200 RPM at the final positions. Quartzite polishes to a remarkable depth of gloss when the sequence is followed correctly, but any skipped grits will leave visible scratches that the subsequent pads cannot remove. Budget approximately thirty percent more time per linear foot compared to granite.
CNC Cutting Notes
Quartzite demands the highest RPMs in the natural stone category. Set the roughing finger bit at 3675 RPM with a conservative feed rate of 35-55 IPM. The seam pass runs at 2625 RPM. Metal bond positions operate at 2940-3150 RPM with firm, consistent pressure. Resin bond pads progress from 3360 RPM at 200 grit to 4200 RPM at 3000 grit and the buff pad. Maintain a 0.3-0.5mm stepover to ensure complete coverage. Water flow of 3 GPM minimum is required because the higher spindle speeds generate substantially more friction heat. Expect diamond pad life to be reduced by 30-40 percent compared to granite fabrication.
Material Compatibility
This template is designed specifically for natural quartzite, one of the hardest countertop stones commercially available. It performs well with popular varieties including Taj Mahal, Sea Pearl, Super White, Calacatta quartzite, and Cristallo. The elevated RPM settings are necessary because quartzite rates 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, comparable to porcelain. Do not use this template for engineered quartz, which requires lower RPMs to prevent resin burn. Dolomite or soft quartzite varieties may benefit from slightly reduced speeds closer to the granite parameters if you observe excessive heat buildup during polishing.
Where to Buy
High-performance diamond tooling rated for quartzite is available from Diamut, GranQuartz, Braxton-Bragg, and Weha. Look for pads with premium diamond concentrations designed for hard natural stone applications.