earthdog
Cave Dweller
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
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Post by earthdog on Mar 3, 2005 21:16:28 GMT -5
What is the diff. between 1000 grit and tripoli? I have a couple pounds of each. My first ever batch of rocks I did the 60/90 then the 120/220 then pre-polish, and now they are in polish. It was just a bunch of #6 stone I got from the pit where I work. So far they look pretty good, not much shine on them though when they dry off. Is it better to go from 220 to 1000 then tripoli? Is tripoli just a pre-polish?
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Post by docone31 on Mar 3, 2005 23:11:50 GMT -5
That is the debate. Real picky tumblers go with each stage a logical grit sequence. Their stones look great. Others go from 60/90-220-440-660-900-1200-3200- polish. Their stones look great. I have known folks who started with 660, then went to 1200, then polish, running 660 for as long as it took. I have never used tripoli, and do not like it for jewelery making either. I am sure someone else will help with this.
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Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Banjocreek on Mar 3, 2005 23:19:36 GMT -5
Earthdog- You need to drop another step it there, like 500 or 600. going from 220 to 1000 is like taking a steel brush to a mahogany coffee table, then trying to sand the marks out with 600 emery paper. It's gonna take you forever, and the marks will still be there. You need an inbetweenie. I've only used 1000 grit and SISA and its 6 of one to me.
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joanna
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2004
Posts: 385
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Post by joanna on Mar 4, 2005 5:44:33 GMT -5
I was just going to ask this question. I noticed in my notes I have contadicting info. someone mentioned tripoli for the harder rocks and some mentioned it for the softer types. ?? I have both and use them after the 500 grit. Is there and advantage to using one over the other? Other than price. The tripoli is way cheaper than the AO 1000. What is the equivolent grit of tripoli? Geez, I need a refresher course in the polish and prepolish stage... all Jan. and Feb. my rocks have been in the first 2 stages.
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Mar 4, 2005 8:50:50 GMT -5
I use Tripoli or 1000 grit as pre-polish after 500 grit, then go to polish. I get good results from both. I keeping meaning to run a batch in trip and a batch in 1000, then use the same polish on both loads and compare results. I have two 3# barrels in 500 now, so hopefully I can remember to do that! (Note to self: make note in tumbling log to remember to do this!)
earthdog, you do need a 500 or 600 step between the 220 and 1000/tripoli.
llana
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earthdog
Cave Dweller
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
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Post by earthdog on Mar 4, 2005 9:11:26 GMT -5
Ok, I have a couple pounds of 500 also. I was planning on the 500 on better rocks that I have. So tripoli is basicly like 1000 grit. And both are used as a pre-polish. Thanks for the help...
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stefan
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Member since January 2005
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Post by stefan on Mar 4, 2005 9:59:23 GMT -5
KINDA SORTA- Tripoli is a pre-polish- 1000 is a grit "used as" a pre-polish- I love tripoli- I save it and reuse it- (yes I know its cheap- but so am I) I have been skipping that in between stage (like a 500) and it is not worth it- To much work in the pre polish stage- Add that extra step and you will be very pleased!
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Post by creativeminded on Mar 4, 2005 10:05:45 GMT -5
Like some of the other have said you need a 500 or 600 grit in your sequence. I use 1000 and tripoli. The difference is one is a little finer than the other. Tami
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Mar 4, 2005 10:58:51 GMT -5
Hey Earthdog,
I think that if you add a 400 or 500 or 600 before you go to pre-polish ... you will see a definite improvement.
I usually go from a 120/220, 400, 600, Tripoli and then onto polish.
Personally, I think it is one of those "what ever you like best situations". I have tried both and I "personally" like Tripoli better. But, that is my opinion and there may be folks that will disagree with me ... but, it works for me and that is all I need!
Enjoy,
John
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69beeper
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 377
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Post by 69beeper on Mar 4, 2005 12:24:58 GMT -5
Hi earthdog, As stated previously, unless you're willing to let that #120/220 run for 3-4 weeks to break down to a finer grit, you should probably add a #500 or #600 grit cycle after a week or so of #120/220. I have used both, tripoli and #1000 grit, and have had best luck with the #1000 AO so far. Of course i'm still a newbie at this so........... Jimmy
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Post by mrbrett on Mar 4, 2005 15:54:43 GMT -5
How much is the tripoli? I pay .59 per pound for the 1000AO. And does anyone know the grit size for tripoli. Doc where can you find 3000 grit?
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earthdog
Cave Dweller
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
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Post by earthdog on Mar 4, 2005 20:48:37 GMT -5
I plan on adding a 1000 grit step. I got 47/70, graded 80, 120/220, graded 220, 500, 1000, Tripoli alum.oxide, cerium oxide. I just did the basic 4 step for the mix of rocks I got from the pit. I’m going to break out all the stops for my good rocks. Thank you all.
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Post by puppie96 on Mar 5, 2005 4:20:58 GMT -5
I agree with banjo and others about the need for an additional step.
I go 60/90, 100/120 or 120/220, 500, 1000 or Iolox, polish. I have never used Tripoli. I seem to be the only one on the board that uses Iolox. I've brought this up time and again and nobody even nibbles. It's a Raytech proprietary product that comes with the TV-5 kit. The first time I saw rocks out of prepolish with it my jaw dropped. Often they look well on the way to a polish when they come out. I just recently tried this in a barrel rather than the vibe and it gave good results there as well. I know very little about this product. Evidently it is a corundum in a very fine grain. My one knock on it is that it's a very black color and a difficult cleanup. Finds its way into microscopic pores and crevices. But a couple runs through the tumbler in soap and water takes care of it.
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stefan
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Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 5, 2005 13:30:22 GMT -5
Yea I noticed the Iolox- I tried it Years ago (like 10 or so) and the black mess was too much- I don't remember what I did with the container (think I tossed it) Plus it is pretty expensive (or am I thinking of something else here)
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Post by puppie96 on Mar 7, 2005 3:09:16 GMT -5
Price wise I don't thing Iolox is too bad, but I don't remember offhand...with a vibe, of course, you use so much less product that expensive prepolishes and polishes can still be cost effective.
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Post by Alice on Mar 7, 2005 3:51:01 GMT -5
I can only purchase Coarse, Fine, Prepolish and polish in my local hobby store. There's no numbers on the bags that I buy. Does anyone know what the grit numbers are? I'm assuming it's the same grits that come with yout tumbler when you first buy one.
The prepolish is sort of an off white color with a touch of beige, and the polish is just white. The coarse grit is black and kind of shiney, and the fine grit is like a very fine powder... like extra fine refined sugar
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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 Mar 7, 2005 4:48:20 GMT -5
Always wize to use the 1000 stage..
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 7, 2005 10:19:13 GMT -5
Alice- That sounds like 60/90 for course; 120/220 for med' eithet 500 or 1000 for fine; tripoli for prepolish; and Aluminium Oxide for polish. Is this from Thumblers (tru-square)?
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Post by Alice on Mar 7, 2005 10:35:24 GMT -5
Thanks Stefan yes they're all from Thumblers (Tru-Square Metal Products).
there's only 4 steps I can get from them (it's also what my local hobby shop carries). Coarse, Fine, Prepolish, and Polish. There's no medium grit.
Good to know what I more then likely have.
Another question... Instead of buying 4oz individual packages of grit, I bought 1 pound packages, and 1/2 pound packages or prepolish and polish, instead of 2oz packages. Without bringing out my kitchen scale, is it 1 level Tablespoon for every ounce? for both the grit and polishes?
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stefan
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Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 7, 2005 10:39:29 GMT -5
Pretty dang close- That is what I use! I rechecked My thumblers info and the have a course fine Pre and polish- No med! So it should be 60/90; 500; Tripoli; and Aluminum Oxide- The trick here is to let the course run extra long (4 to 5 weeks) and don't recharge after the second week!
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