Bains
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2004
Posts: 12
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Post by Bains on Apr 26, 2014 9:41:41 GMT -5
I am a newbie to rock tumbling -- have been trying since the start of the year. I knew nothing when I started but had grand ideas of shiny rocks and ...
My first project was a batch of Hickorite which I have carefully ground from about 5 pounds down to about 3 pounds of rock and spent lots of electricity and grit and marbles and other expenses. Picture a wife smirking at my obvious lack of experience and knowledge as time passed.
Well it is obvious that this material is so porous/soft getting a glossy shine is never going to happen regardless of the polishing compound used, time spent and separate bowls used. The loupe tells the story -- just too porous.
The next question is whether the use of some type of surface covering might get a more pleasant appearance -- something like lacquer, diluted oil, an oil substitute, etc.
What could be used?
This would be characterized as 'surface enhancement covering' or some such rhetorical phrase.
Would use of this approach get me drummed out of the rock tumbling circles?
Any and all comments solicited.
BTW, this failed project has lead me to do much research,reading, experimenting and now I feel much more confident for future batches. Along the way I have harvested some small rocks that did polish up nicely. I now understand much more than I did before so all is not lost.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Apr 26, 2014 10:38:30 GMT -5
I have never tumbled Hickorite myself but have read here on the forum that it isn't a good one to tumble for the reasons you have outlined. There are folks here who make cabochons out of it with success. From what I understand it polishes on a cabbing machines wheels better than in a tumbler.
Can't really speak to a surface treatment. Never used anything like that. Hopefully someone will chime in on that one for you.
So I'd have to say your experience isn't a total loss. Sounds like you've learned something and gained some confidence. Everyone's learning curve is different. I probably had 6 or 8 batches under my belt before I started getting thrilled with my results. I have to credit this forum and the good people here for much of that.
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Post by Toad on Apr 26, 2014 14:38:21 GMT -5
If my son and father-in-law ever get finished with my work bench, I'll be finishing a batch of Wonderstone (Hickotyite) this summer. I took it through 600 and still have to do 1200 and tin oxide. If a matte finish is the best I get, so be it. But I imagine much of that has to do with quality of stone. There is porous and POROUS. When I want shiny, I'll finish that batch of pet wood I have going...
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Post by 150FromFundy on Apr 26, 2014 17:43:23 GMT -5
There is product available at many craft stores that jigsaw puzzle people use to coat their jigsaw puzzles to turn them into wall art. It is similar to an epoxy and resin mix that you spread on a flat surface (float finish) to provide a clear coat. It works great on flat surfaces but would likely leave drips and runs on anything other than a flat surface.
I have used it to coat slabs, thundereggs, and nodule end cuts. From a distance it looks like a polished finish, but upon close examination, you will realize that is a clear coat.
In Canada the product is sold as "Circa 1855 - Nu-Lustre-55" because one coat is equivalent to 55 coats of varnish.
You may want to give it a try.
Darryl.
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Apr 26, 2014 19:41:40 GMT -5
1) Make life easy: tumble agates.
2) I'm going to begin experimentation with wax. Very hard, powdered floor wax, as used by dance halls and for shuffle board. Available from party stores, apparently; I hope to pick up some soon. I'd suspect that very little is needed per load. Rumor has it that all the commercial stones are waxed. As to approval from others... who cares... but do bear in mind that a proper polish lasts forever, and wax does not. Disclosure of treatment if you sell them may be mandatory in some countries.
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