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I neded lapping compound -- Is US Products Co still in business?

joeloeffler

Plastic
Joined
Jan 1, 2008
Location
Chicago, IL
I have been trying to place an order with US Products Co (United States Products Co. in Pittsburgh) for lapping compound for a few months. I am wondering if they are still in business... Their garnet compounds are fantastic. We placed a large (for our company) order a few years ago and now need to stock up again.

The phone number we have goes to voicemail. I have left numerous messages, none have been returned.

After some digging, I found an online ordering page. I made an order over two months ago. (And did receive an automated order confirmation) Our credit card was never charged and we have received no further communication.

Are these guys still around? I am desperately hoping that one of you guys might know! Thanks!
 
Same here. We get calls every day asking about US Products lapping compound. Seems for a couple of years now people are having trouble getting compound from them.
 
McMaster Carr has the Clover lapping compound. They have an online catalog.

I would just go with Mc Master, they have a huge selection of lapping compounds, they are well stocked and ship same day. 342 products returned for a search on lapping compound.
 
Have you tried Engis lapping compound? I've had great results from all of our Engis products.
 
I agree with the poster, the garnet based compound is great. U.S.Products seemed to be the only mfg/supplier of garnet lapping compound. Other than Bon Ami, it is the only compound that breaks down and doesn't imbed into soft metal. At least that has been my experience. Maybe BS, but always worked for me. I looked into ordering some a few years ago, and I got the impression it had become a very small operation, like maybe one person, and this person was not very young...... I see this more and more with small specialty quality niche type suppliers, nobody left to carry on the business, that probably never really made much money.
 
Timesaver lapping compounds break down as well

^^fantastic product- I just got a small sampler pack from them and used it to lap in a spindle ID- it had some metal deposits from a spun arbor.turned by hand, and I could feel the grit breaking down. They say it will not embed, and unlike conventional lapping compound, it grinds the softer metal away- it is not used in conjunction with a soft lap. I had a hard chromed arbor I used it with.
 
So of all these posts, no one has answered if USP is still in business...

No idea, but its in an interesting wander through google.
residents at 518;
Who lives at 518 Melwood Ave, Pittsburgh PA | Rehold
which brings up this interesting name, Kwik-Ak-Shvn Compounds Co. (founded by Walkter Fafata, age 93)
It also came up as Kwik Action Compounds in another buisness directory. Same address, same phone number for all the buisnesses.

And a Lee Brown as owner of U.S Products.

That somehow got me here;
Blocked | Whitepages
Which shows A 30 year old Mr David Brown, at the residence, and a 60year old lady who I assume is mom, living in florida (dual residence) but no mention of a Lee Brown.

And unfortunately, finally stumbled on this obituary, dated Feb 21 2019;
LELAND BROWN Obituary - Pittsburgh, PA | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Given the time frame, it may be US Products may be in legal limbo for the time being. If David Brown who is still showing as residing at 518 is going to run the buisness, is anyones guess.

Alex.
 
Thanks everyone for your responses.

That is sad news about Mr Brown. That does explain some things... (The problems of what are now niche/cottage industries... both for suppliers and end users.)

Unfortunately, we have very precise needs for lapping compounds and we really like the US Products formulation for our application. We are a brass instrument specialist. We lap Monel and nickel plated valves into brass casings by hand in final fitting procedures and really need to use nonembeding GARNET abrasives in 800 and 1000 grit sizes. (no, Clover won't do it...) The vehicle (the pasty goop that actually carries the abrasive) that the US Products formulations use has a specific feel that gives excellent results. Every manufacturer's vehicle feels different. USP stopped making 1000 grit 7-10 years ago and the other companies' products that we have tried so far just do not feel the same.

Apparently we are now on the search for a replacement supplier... Hopefully USP comes back around.
 
Garnet Lapping

I ran into the same problem with US Products Co, chased it around for a couple of months and then gave up. I ran into this thread which renewed my interest in acquiring some garnet lapping compound. I found a site that deals in music instruments and they use garnet lapping compound. They have 1/4 pound, dry, 800 grit for $27 shipped.

J L Smith Co

Garnet Lapping Powder<br>1/4 lb., <b>800 Grit</b>
 
Have you tried the Hetman non-imbedding compound?? It is available in 900 and 1200 grit from Allied Supply in Wisconsin.

This is what is sold to the musical instrument repair trade for lapping valves.

-Jess
 
McMaster Carr has the Clover lapping compound. They have an online catalog.


Years ago, I bought a Clover assortment and have used it with excellent results ever since. No impulse to explore or change to any other product, although I am sure some of the more modern products are equally good. My Clover assortment is in the form of 6 tins packed in a cardboard box, the tins containing a graduated array, the finest feeling silky smooth between your fingertips with no perceptible grit, the coarsest feeling really gritty, like the old Lava paste hand cleaner.

-Marty-
 








 
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