JC
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2004
Posts: 107
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Post by JC on Oct 23, 2004 10:41:56 GMT -5
A question for those of you that do a post-wash in borax. How much borax do you use per pound of rocks? TIA.
JC
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Post by rockyraccoon on Oct 23, 2004 11:28:27 GMT -5
jc i don't measure it i just pour some straight from the box - not a whole lot - 2 tbsp maybe?
kim
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Post by Cher on Oct 23, 2004 11:44:42 GMT -5
That's what I do to, just dump in about 2 tablespoons or so. Hey JC, don't forget to keep in touch while your overseas ok!!
Cher
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Post by Al on Oct 23, 2004 13:29:22 GMT -5
My mom uses the mule laundry borax is that one good too? do you only wash the rocks after polishing them or at the beginning too?
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Post by krazydiamond on Oct 23, 2004 14:53:57 GMT -5
if you only have one barrel, it's not a bad idea to do a few hours in borax (yup, that the mule team stuff) between each grit phase, cleans everything real well. i've done a borax rinse after polish sometimes to clean out the last remains of polish and really squeeze out the best possible shine.
KD
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Post by cookie3rocks on Oct 23, 2004 21:43:55 GMT -5
I Borax between each stage, too. Since I use a vibe and alternate 2 bowls for 120/220-600, Tripoli-polish, I borax the bowl for about 30 mins, dump it, add the rocks and borax again for 30 mins. Cleans the bowl and the rocks.
cookie
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bwalters
has rocks in the head
Member since March 2004
Posts: 557
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Post by bwalters on Oct 23, 2004 22:24:04 GMT -5
Hi Y'all, I use a Borax wash before I start my rocks. Just got 2 loads out of the wash tonight. a 3 lb. load of tiger eye and a 6 lb. load of sodalite. And I will Borax each of these loads between each phase, and after polishing.
If you could have seen the gunk that came out of the tumblers tonight after a 24 hour wash in Borax, you would know why I tumble wash the rocks first!
I usually dump in about 2+ tablespoons of Borax for a 3 lb. tumbler.
It seems to help.
BE
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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 Oct 24, 2004 2:55:53 GMT -5
Washing with BORAX is a myth...Borax makes your detergent work better-but alone has no cleaning properties...Ivory Snow is a REAL cleaner and is effective in burnishing your stones--yes it BUBBLES-they will not hurt your barrells... Borax is a more effective deodorizer than a cleaner...and possibly a stain remover... check this site: www.queenofclean.com
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JC
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2004
Posts: 107
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Post by JC on Oct 24, 2004 12:31:39 GMT -5
Ohhhh great!!! Just when I thought I knew something.....
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JC
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2004
Posts: 107
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Post by JC on Oct 24, 2004 15:34:00 GMT -5
Washing with BORAX is a myth...Borax makes your detergent work better-but alone has no cleaning properties...Ivory Snow is a REAL cleaner and is effective in burnishing your stones--yes it BUBBLES-they will not hurt your barrells... Borax is a more effective deodorizer than a cleaner...and possibly a stain remover... check this site: www.queenofclean.comOkay so how do I use Ivory Snow? Liquid or bar soap? During tumbling cycles or after? What quantity per quantity of rock? How did the borax wash conspiracy come into existence? Does it play ANY role in rock tumbling?
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Post by rockyraccoon on Oct 24, 2004 15:39:38 GMT -5
jc i've used cascade dishwashing powder, borax, and ivory bar soap flakes. i've had good results with them all. clean rocks, clean barrels from them all. i've been using the ivory lately because i'm hoping the bubbles will cushion the rocks in the pre-polish, polish stages along with the pellets to avoid chips, fractures at these stages.
kim
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Post by Cher on Oct 24, 2004 16:05:11 GMT -5
Kim, how much of the Ivory soap are you using? Do you just use a knife and cut a sliver off or a few chips or what? I bought some then found the borax so have been using that for now.
Cher
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Post by rockyraccoon on Oct 24, 2004 21:30:52 GMT -5
cher i grated my bars with the food processor and put them in tupperware containers. i just reach in and get a couple of pinches - my measuring skills are great aren't they lol . kim
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Post by Cher on Oct 24, 2004 21:45:25 GMT -5
LOL ;D Yup, sounds like me when I'm cooking, a pinch of this, a pinch of that. But, I don't have a food processor so guess that leaves the knife and slices. I'm sure it will all dissolve if I make them small enough. Thanks Kim!!
Cher
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Post by cookie3rocks on Oct 24, 2004 21:59:04 GMT -5
I use the myth. It gives the illusion of doing a great job, Works for me.
cookie
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bwalters
has rocks in the head
Member since March 2004
Posts: 557
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Post by bwalters on Oct 24, 2004 22:38:23 GMT -5
Cher, I was using Ivory bar soap until I got some Borax. I grated it with my cheese grater and stored it in a zip lock bag. It worked great (but so does the Borax and I don't have to grate that).
BE
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