Don B.
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2012
Posts: 52
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Post by Don B. on Sept 14, 2012 15:07:06 GMT -5
So far, I have been using SC for my rough tumbles, but I noticed that HarborFreight sells 20lbs of AO for $25. I generally pay around $30 for 5lbs of SC on ebay. Seems like a better deal to use the AO, but will I be using more of it to get it to cut as much as the SC?
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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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Post by fwfranklen (Mike) on Sept 14, 2012 15:22:55 GMT -5
In basic terms SC is sharp little jagged particles. AO is round smooth particles, in some cases AO can be in a crystline form, I believe that most the AO we use in lapidary is ground to the micron level that is needed. I use SC for my rough grind and AO for the 500 grit, 100 grit, and AO polish. I purchase all from www.therockshed.com/grit.html I find the price and quality is the best around. That is just my opinion. Others might disagree. Mike
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
A COUPLE LAKERS
Member since August 2011
Posts: 891
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on Sept 14, 2012 17:56:22 GMT -5
I'm not aware that AO comes in 60/90 or even 120/220 grit.
Mike is right. There is a fundamental difference between SiC and AO and how they work, even if they are both 500 grit. AO is not an appropriate abrasive for shaping and sanding rock. It's too rounded/"soft"(sort of), so it's not good for cutting rock. That's really what you are doing in the rough grind. AO is for smoothing out the scratches left by the SiC.
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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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Post by fwfranklen (Mike) on Sept 14, 2012 19:22:06 GMT -5
That was a miss spell on my part that should have read 1000 grit AO not 100 grit AO. Sorry about the "old Geiser" typo. did not have my glasses on.
LOL
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Don B.
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2012
Posts: 52
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Post by Don B. on Sept 14, 2012 20:04:09 GMT -5
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 14, 2012 20:16:34 GMT -5
It is probably a blast media.
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Sept 14, 2012 20:16:40 GMT -5
Part of the joy of tumbling is experimenting. If you try the AO, let us know your conclusions. Unless you're tumbling softer rocks, I don't think you'll be happy with the results - but I've been wrong before.
You are overpaying for your SC. Shop around - Rockshed, Kingsley North, Miles Supply (http://stonetooldepot.com/polishingabrasive.aspx), local rock shop. Some clubs buy grit in bulk for theior members.
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Sept 14, 2012 20:17:34 GMT -5
We all wish that 70 grit ao would work for tumbling,but.Its for sand blasting.The sc stays sharp as it breaks down cutting the rocks. I look everytime I go to Harbor Freight hoping they sent some sc grit by mistake,but it aint happened.
snuffy
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Sept 20, 2012 7:58:26 GMT -5
I recently got 5 pounds of 46/70 SC for about $13.00 at the rock shed. The 60/90 is about the same price too.
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