threebean
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2012
Posts: 2
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Post by threebean on Jul 20, 2012 10:31:24 GMT -5
Hi, I am new to this whole thing and have read some about it on the internet and my understanding of the process is to basically progress like this:
80/60 grit 220 grit 400 grit Polish
I have come up with some old tumblers and some abrasives/compounds second hand. I am working my way through the 3 stages of grit, but when it comes to polish I have the following:
Tin Oxide Polishing Compound Levitated Aluminum Polishing Compound Air Float Tripoli Polishing Compound
Which one do i use in the Polish step? Do i use just one or can i mix them? Do i do all of them in a specific order?
Any insight on this will be happily appreciated!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2012 10:38:38 GMT -5
There are others on here that are more into the tumble thing and will jump in to help I am sure. You will not find a place on the internet that is easier to get help. Lots of great people on here that are more than willing to help.
Welcome aboard and hope you stick around and become part of our family. Jim
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Jul 20, 2012 12:24:04 GMT -5
What are you tumbling and what kind of tumbler - rotary or vibe? For a vibe the tin oxide will do fine. For hard agates in a rotary the Tripoli may give acceptable results. I would suggest using the tripoly first and if you're not happy follow up with the Aluminum. Many folks use tripoly as a prepolish and some use it as an inexpensive polish. In general tin oxide is too expensive to use in a rotary. There are so many kinds of Aluminum polishing compounds that it's difficult to make a recommendation -- try it and see what happens. Especially at the polsih stage, trial and error rarely causes harm.
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threebean
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2012
Posts: 2
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Post by threebean on Jul 20, 2012 13:28:11 GMT -5
Hi Jim thanks for the welcome.
Steve, Thanks for the advice. I am using rotary tumblers. As far as rocks, I have some agates, I think some quartz and just some other random rocks that we picked out of a creek bed hear in Iowa.
I will give the Tripoli a shot and see what the rocks do.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 20, 2012 14:58:05 GMT -5
It is levigated aluminum and usually used as a pre polish. Tripoli is usually a prepolish as well. I sold out of tripoli at Quartzsite this year after the sun stone guy told everyone his blinding polish was done with tripoli. I would use the aluminum and check results. Then the tripoli andd check. Tin is really expensive now so either save it until you move on to vibe lapping or cabbing or use it as a last resort for tumble loads that don't come out.
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Post by pghram on Jul 22, 2012 13:53:28 GMT -5
Threebean,
I have used only Tin Ox for many years & I have not yet found anything it will not polish. I recapture & reuse the polish so the cost is not an issue for me.
Peace,
Rich
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Jul 22, 2012 16:12:06 GMT -5
Tin Oxide is expensive so I use it only for tough to polish stuff like obsidian. Aluminum oxide can be good as a polish in a vibe tumbler tough sometimes you have to run it longer so it breaks down. Tripoli I use only as a prepolish and sometimes after a four to five day run in the vibe, the tripoli does get a pretty good shine. You'll find all stages work best with a lot of small stones in the mix too as that increases surface to surface contact and breaks down the polish particles well.....Mel
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