An apparatus and method for removing a portion of material from the surface of a ceramic include a table with a rotatable wheel thereon. A pad is disposed on the rotatable wheel such that the pad can remain on the rotatable wheel as the wheel is rotated but is removable from the wheel when not in use. A recrystallized silicon carbide disk is disposed on the pad having sufficient friction to remain on the pad as the wheel and pad are rotated but is removable from the rotatable wheel and pad when not in use.