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Post by rhonda on Sept 16, 2004 11:58:38 GMT -5
Hey Everyone- A couple of weeks ago, I asked a question about why the ivory soap stage (post polish) caused the once polished rocks to come out dull.
I got several responses and tried Doc's suggestion of using distilled water rather than my tap water.
My rocks have never looked so nice! This is the best outcome I've had so far!
I have been a rockhound for many years, and got my first tumbler from my husband last Christmas (likely he was tired of seeing my rocks laying all over the house & yard!). While searching for a source for supplies, I 'tumbled' upon this forum (my apologies for the bad pun!)
I've learned so many things from this forum, I can't tell you. So, believing in the idea that students become teachers, I decided to post the outcome of using the distilled water - assuming that someone else has had the same issues as me.
Thanks Doc and the rest of you for your teachings and general good conversation!
~Rhonda
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Post by Cher on Sept 16, 2004 12:34:46 GMT -5
Hi Rhonda That's the same way I found the forum, searching for info. I can't agree more, definitely a place for good information and conversation! Hope you pop back in more often. Join the forum and become a regular member. [glow=red,2,300] ~ Cher ~[/glow] pages.prodigy.net/bestsmileys1/signs/RockOn.gif [/img]
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birdseed
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2004
Posts: 167
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Post by birdseed on Sept 16, 2004 13:28:17 GMT -5
RHONDA-The better results were more probably due to your re-doing your stones than using distilled water--Microscopic(atoms) will not make a difference to your naked eye..
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JKowalski33
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 451
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Post by JKowalski33 on Sept 16, 2004 15:11:31 GMT -5
if microscopic atoms don't makea difference, then how is it that we can see objects. All a desk is is a bunch of microscopic atom stuck together, yet we can see it. If there was a layer of minerals from the unstilled tap water on rhonda's rocks, that could be why they were dull. (i'm not trying to mean birdseed, but this my opinion on the matter)
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birdseed
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2004
Posts: 167
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Post by birdseed on Sept 17, 2004 2:45:02 GMT -5
Never found a (desk) on any of my stones--Under a microscope the possibility of atomic mineral contamination would be evident--Even that I doubt if the water was mixed with Ivory Snow(detergent)..I have been tumbling stones for 40+ years with tap water-never have had a problem--If the "silver bullet" to correcting the burnishing process was "distilled" water then I should not believe my "lying eyes"--Some people make this lapidary hobby more complicated than it is..
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Post by rockyraccoon on Sept 17, 2004 9:51:15 GMT -5
rhonda thanks for the update and glad your stones came out great - now you need to show us a pic! doc is just full of wisdom and we're sure glad he shares it with us.
kim
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Post by krazydiamond on Sept 17, 2004 10:15:57 GMT -5
not to add fuel to the fire, but my "tap" water comes from a well and it is what they call "hard" water. it is potable, but we don't drink it. it's ok to cook with if you let it boil for a while. i do laundry with it, but it does have a high mineral content, especially sulpher, which makes it smell like rotten eggs!!! it also slowly eats pipe fittings and corrodes almost all metal in the house eventually....ah, living in the country!
we buy bottled water to drink and make tea/coffee with and i used distilled water in my steam iron, in my trim saw coolant and in my final polish barrel.
complicated? not really. hey, i'd dance nekkid by the light of the moon if i thought it would give my stones that extra shine!
just my 2 cents here. KD
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Post by rhonda on Sept 17, 2004 11:39:31 GMT -5
I too have well water, Krazy. We don't drink ours either, tho it would not hurt us - it just tastes like someone ran an old rusty Buick through it. Have you tried dancing nekked in the moonlight? It might not give your stones an extra shine but the neighbors might enjoy it I definitely didn't mean to start a heated debate. I'm simply happy that my stones came out the way they did, regardless of whether it was the double polish step or the water. Perhaps we can reach a compromise and it was possibly a combination of the two? Thanks for the smiles! Rhonda
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JKowalski33
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 451
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Post by JKowalski33 on Sept 17, 2004 16:43:12 GMT -5
Yeah i wasn't trying to be rude to birdseed, but i think he (she?) took it that way. All i was saying is that when many microscopic things cluster together, you can see them!!!
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Post by krazydiamond on Sept 17, 2004 16:56:58 GMT -5
a rusty buick will do that.....
KD
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Post by cookie3rocks on Sept 17, 2004 20:12:05 GMT -5
Try putting a tablespoon of Epsoms Salts in the water. I have well water and it makes my hair shiney! ;D
cookie
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Sept 17, 2004 20:18:48 GMT -5
It's been a while since I campaigned for my favorite mineral: [glow=red,4,300]BORAX![/glow] I've often spoke of how borax softens water. The biggest problem with "hard" water is that it doesn't "wet" very well. A liquid that "wets" well has a tendency to spread out over the surface of an object, such as a rock. A liquid that doesn't "wet" well, will tend to bead up, like water on a freshly waxed car hood (or bonnet). That improved wetting action is why it's added to laundry detergents. Improved wetting allows the detergents to work better as well. I agree with KD though. If your water is so mineralized as to be down right obnoxious, you would be well advised to buy your water. Your rocks will love you for it. Ron ps. Honestly, I don't receive any commission for increasing Borax sales! ;D
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Sept 17, 2004 20:25:16 GMT -5
Hey Cookie, ever try adding borax when you wash your hair?
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Post by krazydiamond on Sept 17, 2004 20:41:05 GMT -5
Mules in the Hair? ? yikes! KD
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Post by cookie3rocks on Sept 17, 2004 21:06:37 GMT -5
Ron, As I understand it, Borax has a hydrogen peroxide like effect, oxigenating. I color my hair and that would probably make it a little coarse, and strip the color. I was a stylist for 13 years, a color specialist at the end, so I kinda understand that part. Accedently discovered the Epsoms Salts thing. I had put it in my bath water forgetting I needed to wash my hair. Made a big difference.
cookie
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deepsouth
fully equipped rock polisher
He who rocks last rocks best
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,256
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Post by deepsouth on Sept 17, 2004 22:55:39 GMT -5
Just do not drink that epsom salts Cookie, it will make you run . I used to use it to give our cows extra magnesium in spring and have seen the results....Wow what a mess But I must try find Borax one of these days and try it out. Or get some epsomsalts from the vets Dang it is snowing again and it is supposed to be SPRING ???It has gone very dark and it looks like a blizzard .....outside Brrr Jack
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Post by cookie3rocks on Sept 17, 2004 23:13:13 GMT -5
Ya'll can boo me all you want, I"m ready for sweater weather. Keep warm, Deepsouth ;D
cookie
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birdseed
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2004
Posts: 167
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Post by birdseed on Sept 18, 2004 3:02:43 GMT -5
Let's say I use: 1. distilled water 2. epson salts 3. Borax and I still have "dull" stones after the burnish stage??? WHAT COULD IT BE? ??
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Post by Paul on Sept 18, 2004 6:41:06 GMT -5
Got barmy stones birdseed? Don't cry, get some dosh for new ones and enjoy the newest Naked Wiccan Rock Club Band and the Fine Young Cannibals sing and dance the "Tumbling drives me crazy" song.
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Post by hermatite on Sept 18, 2004 19:49:58 GMT -5
Let's say I use: 1. distilled water 2. epson salts 3. Borax and I still have "dull" stones after the burnish stage WHAT COULD IT BE
Um...just a guess here but...bad attitude?
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