fmelvis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2010
Posts: 235
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Post by fmelvis on Jun 10, 2011 6:18:34 GMT -5
Still working on my first tumble. I had the stones in 500 grit for about 2 weeks, and they seem very smooth and have a dull luster to them.
The kit I received from the rock shed has four steps, polish being next. But I noticed alot of people add a 1000 grit step or tripoli.
Is it ok to go to polish now or should i really consider a pre polish?
melvis
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Post by Toad on Jun 10, 2011 8:34:51 GMT -5
Depends on what they are. If they are a hard agate-liek stone you can probably jump to polish. Softer stones tend to need more care.
Yopu said they have a dull luster - is that dry or wet? When wet they should shine well already, but they should lose shine as they dry...
Do you have pics you can post?
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fmelvis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2010
Posts: 235
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Post by fmelvis on Jun 10, 2011 8:50:05 GMT -5
when the rocks are wet, they shine nicely. They lose that when dry. Most are agates but there are some softer stones like soladite and amazonite.
I will try to post pics.
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Post by Toad on Jun 10, 2011 8:57:25 GMT -5
If you throw all those in polish now, I'm guessingthe agate would shine up fine. The sodalite and amazonite may or may not depending on cushioing, quality of the stone, and quality of the tumble (are pits and fractures present in the stone).
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fmelvis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2010
Posts: 235
|
Post by fmelvis on Jun 10, 2011 9:09:02 GMT -5
Actually, the softer stones are in great shape. No pits or cracks. I plan to use plastic beads as I did in the 500 grit.
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Post by Toad on Jun 10, 2011 9:15:33 GMT -5
As long as you use different beads than you did for 500 (the beads will hold onto grit). Sounds like you are set.
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Post by Toad on Jun 10, 2011 9:27:10 GMT -5
Also, if any stones don't come out to your expectations, you can set them aside for a subsequent load - and maybe a prepolish
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