m83striker
starting to shine!
Member since July 2012
Posts: 36
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Granite
Aug 6, 2012 13:52:22 GMT -5
Post by m83striker on Aug 6, 2012 13:52:22 GMT -5
I have a friend that is working at a granite countertop factory. He has access to pieces of 1/2" to 1 1/2" thick slabs of granite that are mostly finished on one side. Is this something that I can take to a tile saw and make smaller pieces for tumbling? I know that I read it is very hard to tumble, but is it worth a try? The slabs that he can get are only 8"x8" or 8"x12", but there are all different types and patterns.
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lakeandco
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2010
Posts: 10
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Granite
Aug 6, 2012 15:03:36 GMT -5
Post by lakeandco on Aug 6, 2012 15:03:36 GMT -5
I'm not really an expert tumbler, but I expect that tumbling is not as effective for granite polishing as some sort of abrasive disc/lap/polisher. I can say from a geology point of view: granite could be really tough to nearly impossible to get an even glossy finish. The various crystals present in various granites are all different hardnesses so the quartz should tend to remain while things like biotite and hornblende will tend to pit. Not saying it can't be done, just one of the concerns you will contend with. Sorry I can't be of more help. But I'd say you never know till you try it yourself!
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fwfranklen (Mike)
spending too much on rocks
Rock-ON--Have you kissed your rock today?
Member since August 2012
Posts: 379
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Granite
Aug 6, 2012 17:05:50 GMT -5
Post by fwfranklen (Mike) on Aug 6, 2012 17:05:50 GMT -5
Yea keep us posted, I know I've seen them polish granit counter top, they use several grits sizes and it is all diamond pads. I asked why so many grit sizes and he stated that it was becase of all the different hardness's of the crystals? lakeandco, must be right. You might try to cush'n the rough grind by starting out with a less agressive grit then use AlumOxide instead of SC. The AO grit is round and less agressive then SC which is jagged and broken. If it works out for you then you just might have found a new source of rough. I know that the place I visited had lots of end pieces and broken slabs. Always wondered what they did with them.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Granite
Aug 6, 2012 19:12:25 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2012 19:12:25 GMT -5
I have a batch of "granite" countertop tumbling now. It is VERY solid tough material that has taken longer than jaspers to round out in rough. I have a month in already and a few pounds of grit and likely need another pound and a week or more to get the rough finished.
I will say that from a countertop industry point of view everything is granite. Gabbro is granite, marble is granite, jasper is granite and of course yes, granite is granite. It seems that no matter what the stone, if they use it for kitchen counters it is called granite. Yes, I have seen all of those materials for sale at granite suppliers all over SoCal.
The Coronado Inn Resort at Disneyworld has some amazing jasper counters in their lobby. (And lots of tumbling quartz in the landscaping, specially out by the aptly named "The Dig Site")
The material I am currently tumbling looks more like labradorite than granite. It is sold as "blue pearl" and has all the flash and color of a medium grade labradorite. I should have more info in a couple months.
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Granite
Aug 6, 2012 19:39:24 GMT -5
Post by susand24224 on Aug 6, 2012 19:39:24 GMT -5
I've tumbled lots of granite, not the counter top kind, but the "found by the side of the road" kind. Some does great, some not so great. Give it a shot--what do you have to lose?
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fwfranklen (Mike)
spending too much on rocks
Rock-ON--Have you kissed your rock today?
Member since August 2012
Posts: 379
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Granite
Aug 6, 2012 23:34:31 GMT -5
Post by fwfranklen (Mike) on Aug 6, 2012 23:34:31 GMT -5
Ok susand24224 and shotgunner you've talked me into it...now to go get the side of the road kind LOL
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Post by connrock on Aug 7, 2012 7:41:47 GMT -5
I've done the exact type of counter top "granite" that you have and it came out "so-so". As has been pointed out already,the complex structure of it doesn't make for a highly polihed tumbled rock at all.
It's a shame too because it's all free! Good Luck,,
connrock
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Granite
Aug 7, 2012 18:09:34 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2012 18:09:34 GMT -5
I've done the exact type of counter top "granite" that you have and it came out "so-so". As has been pointed out already,the complex structure of it doesn't make for a highly polihed tumbled rock at all. It's a shame too because it's all free! Good Luck,, connrock To whom do you refer??
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Post by connrock on Aug 8, 2012 9:19:58 GMT -5
"To whom do you refer"
If you're asking about the granite I'm referring to m83striker. If not,,,,,you'll have to be more specific? connrock
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Granite
Aug 11, 2012 11:54:00 GMT -5
Post by peachfront on Aug 11, 2012 11:54:00 GMT -5
I've tumbled it and not found it particularly attractive as a tumbled stone, however, sometimes you can make a nice cab out of it and the price is right.
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Granite
Aug 11, 2012 21:31:01 GMT -5
Post by Bikerrandy on Aug 11, 2012 21:31:01 GMT -5
Yep, you can cut them with a tile saw.
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Granite
Aug 11, 2012 22:00:40 GMT -5
Post by Bluesky78987 on Aug 11, 2012 22:00:40 GMT -5
I might have to try some of that. Especially the labradorite/granite type . . .
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m83striker
starting to shine!
Member since July 2012
Posts: 36
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Granite
Aug 12, 2012 8:14:14 GMT -5
Post by m83striker on Aug 12, 2012 8:14:14 GMT -5
I might hold off on the granite tumble for a while. I'm a newbie and the thought of having it take twice as long to tumble makes me cringe. I can barely wait the one month for my first batch!!!
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hand2mouthmining
spending too much on rocks
Purveyors of California Gem Rock
Member since September 2011
Posts: 495
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Granite
Aug 14, 2012 14:14:09 GMT -5
Post by hand2mouthmining on Aug 14, 2012 14:14:09 GMT -5
I might have to try some of that. Especially the labradorite/granite type . . . Susan, we have some of this material left over from my Aunt's new bathroom countertop. As far as we can tell, it's called Anorthosite. Here's a Wiki link about it: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AnorthositeIt’s got large platy crystals of labradorite in a dark grey matrix. Flashy stuff! We'll bring you some chunks this Sunday, when we meet out at Area 54! Be well! Kris
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