tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Mar 8, 2013 11:17:02 GMT -5
Here is another batch of "common" rock. Most of it came from driveways, landscaping, and walkways. I have always gotten a good shine but never that mirror shine I see others here get. I had thought it was a tumble vs. vibe thing. I'm a tumbler only. I'm sure now , however, that it's a polish thing. I have been using super cerium because I read somewhere about how its such a good overall polish. There are posts here on the board that will dispute that and this is another one. My process...3# rotary tumbler -60/90 until as smooth as I like (3 weeks to 3 months depending) -220 for 10 days with a 6 to 8 hour burnish -600 for 10 days with a 24 hour burnish. Burnish is two steps. Step one is 6 hours with 1 tbs. shaved ivory soap flakes & 1 tbs. borax. Step two is 18 hours with 2 tbs. borax. -Polish for 14 days. (220,600,& Polish are buffered with plastic pellets at 25% of total volume) I only made one change to get the "shiniest driveway gravel ever". Instead of super cerium I used the Rock Shed's AO. here's the batch some close ups I have some Unakite, Bubblegum, Bahia and Lake Superior agates in rough now. I'm anxious to see how well Rock Shed's AO polish works with them. Thanks to all for looking.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 8, 2013 11:42:23 GMT -5
you certainly have the patients for this by looking at your long run times. These have great shine on them. So you think the A/O was better now right?
Chuck
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Mar 8, 2013 12:13:34 GMT -5
you certainly have the patients for this by looking at your long run times. These have great shine on them. So you think the A/O was better now right? Chuck Yes. The AO is better and much less expensive. I should thank everyone here who recommended it as well.
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Mar 8, 2013 12:44:46 GMT -5
So how long do you think it will take to "polish" your entire drive-way? (giggle, giggle)
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Mar 8, 2013 14:12:26 GMT -5
So how long do you think it will take to "polish" your entire drive-way? (giggle, giggle) LOL ........ now thats funny Does the comedians union know your working or free?
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Post by gr on Mar 8, 2013 15:19:47 GMT -5
TK, try this. after the #600, go to A/O (#800) and then tripoli, and then cerium to burnish with Ivory for 24 hrs. I think you'll notice a difference. They will have that water shine that you're looking for.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Mar 8, 2013 15:25:30 GMT -5
Those look great! I pick up a lot of beach rocks that look similar to that batch. Even though those aren't the real fancy jaspers and agates, I think it's fun to collect them myself and then polish them. Thanks for sharing your pictures.
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Post by Toad on Mar 8, 2013 15:55:50 GMT -5
My driveway gravel is limestone. Sigh...
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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 Mar 8, 2013 19:07:14 GMT -5
Dang, what a shine! You have great looking gravel in your driveway....Mel
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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 Mar 8, 2013 21:58:35 GMT -5
TK -- I have cerium oxide and tin oxide, but now I only use polish from the Rock Shed.
For a while now I've been doing my "burnish" between the SiC and AO a little differently. I really doubt it makes much difference what kind of soap one uses, but I use dishwasher detergent because it doesn't foam. Laundry detergent doesn't either. I add the borax to it at the same time. In a 3lb barrel I'd use about 2 tablespoons -- I'm not shy about using Borax. The secret ingredient is Tripoli. I'd add about one tablespoon, then run it for 24 hours. The before and after difference is very obvious. It gives them a jump start on the polish.
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Mar 9, 2013 8:04:58 GMT -5
Wonderful batch! Ao polish is all I use.My cousin told me I was gonna have the shiniest driveway around.Nice assortment of stones. snuffy
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electricface
starting to spend too much on rocks
First fish of the day
Member since August 2012
Posts: 211
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Post by electricface on Mar 9, 2013 8:45:21 GMT -5
Well I have to admit If I tumbled my driveway I'd have to make another one to drive on and put up a road closed sigh on the polished one. Great Job.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Mar 9, 2013 14:57:44 GMT -5
Those stones are beautiful, awesome job on getting them to shine like that
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Mar 9, 2013 16:21:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the positive comments all.
Also thanks for the tips regarding tripoli.
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Mar 9, 2013 21:08:20 GMT -5
Great selection of rocks very nicely polished. Good job!
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riverrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2010
Posts: 1,395
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Post by riverrock on Mar 11, 2013 17:02:22 GMT -5
I guess you save on shipping cost just picking them up from your driveway.
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Post by Noosh9057 on Mar 11, 2013 19:15:11 GMT -5
Very very nice.
Roger
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