They dont make them like the old days.....

**Leo Hadley Jr** · 08-18-2007, 08:44 PM

Funny story about Leap pads

It seems that everyone at some point in time has or will have a slippage problem. Wheather its dull wheels, superslick coatings, or useless leap pads....It will happen. Today there are so many different blocking pad makers and distributers it makes me dizzy. Quality and prices vary widely and many people think they are saving money buying cheap, but end up losing in breakage.

Anyway.....

The other day I came across an old, dirty, grimey, yellowed box of 3M leap II pads that had a lot date of 1994. We all had a good laugh at these 13 year old pads until we started using them. In our business, we cut hundreds of lenses a day testing and calibrating patternless edgers. Anytime we get to use free pads is a good day!
I had to actually get out a deblocking tool to deblock the lenses. I normally use my fingers because we really dont care about scratches since they are all garbage lenses.
These 13 YEAR old 3M pads stick to the lenses like cement. I even edged some hydro coated lenses and there was no chance of slippage. Now I am absolutely convinced that they definately dont make them the way they used too. In fact, I dont even think I ever heard the word slippage back in the good ol 80s.

**chip anderson** · 08-18-2007, 09:27 PM

Either that or the adhesive improves with age.

**Leo Hadley Jr** · 08-18-2007, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by chip anderson

Either that or the adhesive improves with age.

Maybe we could buy the cheap ones now, hold them for 15 years.....
Then make some money:bbg:

**HarryChiling** · 08-18-2007, 09:54 PM

Ah '94 that was a good year for pads. Like fine wine these leap pads, maybe you could create a anniversary series and sell them as desinger leaps. :D

**Judy Canty** · 08-18-2007, 09:55 PM

Out of curiosity, did the old leap pad do any damage to the ar coatings?

**Leo Hadley Jr** · 08-18-2007, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by Judy Canty

Out of curiosity, did the old leap pad do any damage to the ar coatings?

Hi Judy,

I did not really inspect the coatings, but I will next week. Most of the lenses I use are thrown in boxes and have many scratches.
I remember the leap II very well. They were very good. Sometimes they were tough to cleanly pull off the strip. But I dont recall any leap pad caused breakage. This box was old and dirty but the pads look like they did in 94. I dont think the age changed the adhesive at all.

**ShuString** · 08-18-2007, 10:51 PM

I've always liked the 3m brand pads, they were the ones to count on.

**cocoisland58** · 08-19-2007, 08:10 AM

I once(around 1988) used leap pads to stick a metal mailbox onto the metal siding on my house. I did it temporary until I could drill holes and hang it properly. I never had to. I sold the house 8 years later and the mailbox was still on tight. For all I know it may still be there.

**Barry Santini** · 08-19-2007, 09:28 AM

because the chemicals used in the adhesives of Leap II got listed on the "cease usage" lists (enviromentallly non-friendly).

Leap III *did not* have as good adhesion as Leap II, and its poor performance with the neweer, slicker coatings has resulted in "LEAP III LSE" (low surface energy). These pads are about 3+ times more expensive....but worth it! I have reduced my slippage issues to almost "O" (Zeiss Carat Advantage & Nikon's 1.74 coatings still require an interface tape, even with LSE).

Despite their cost, I highly recommend LSE pads. The are the best!

FWIW

Barry

**braheem24** · 08-20-2007, 02:03 AM

Originally Posted by Barry Santini

Despite their cost, I highly recommend LSE pads. The are the best!

What about for mailboxes? :D

**eromitlab** · 08-23-2007, 07:00 PM

ever try Secure Edge pads?? I use those with all of the Crizal coatings as well as Carat Advantage and Teflon with no slippage at all. They're available through PSI and Dynamic Labs, AFAIK. Best of all, they're cheaper than any of the 3M pads.

**Leo Hadley Jr** · 08-23-2007, 07:42 PM

Never tried Secure edge. That is great to hear.
Out of curiosity, what kind of edger are you using?
I know that brand new wheels will make every pad work great for a while but after about 500- 1000 cuts, the true colors of the pads start to show.
Barry said it right above, The leap II was discontinued for environmental reasons. The leap III was a failure but has since been corrected.
I am glad to hear that a less expensive pad is working for you.

Now I wonder if all the rubber dinosaurs I constructed out of leap II pads are hurting the environment in some landfill.

**DragonLensmanWV** · 08-23-2007, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by OpticLabRat

Never tried Secure edge. That is great to hear.
Out of curiosity, what kind of edger are you using?
I know that brand new wheels will make every pad work great for a while but after about 500- 1000 cuts, the true colors of the pads start to show.
Barry said it right above, The leap II was discontinued for environmental reasons. The leap III was a failure but has since been corrected.
I am glad to hear that a less expensive pad is working for you.

Now I wonder if all the rubber dinosaurs I constructed out of leap II pads are hurting the environment in some landfill.

I have an Alice In Wonderland Smoking Caterpillar, mushroom, and hookah made from Leap II. Do I need a hazardous waste team?:D
We also use the Secure Edge pads, but with less success on Carat Advantage, but then the LSE pads have been spotty for us. Hopefully switching to the PCD blade instead of the enhanced blade will reduce torque.

**jeffsoptical** · 08-29-2007, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by eromitlab

ever try Secure Edge pads?? I use those with all of the Crizal coatings as well as Carat Advantage and Teflon with no slippage at all. They're available through PSI and Dynamic Labs, AFAIK. Best of all, they're cheaper than any of the 3M pads.

I think that the secure edge from DAC is the best pads I've ever tried.

Jeff:cheers: