meviva
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Post by meviva on Oct 8, 2014 18:14:53 GMT -5
Hi,
Last Spring I finally got a batch through the polish stage. Some of them turned out great but some had frosting. I want to redo the frosted ones. Should I start over in 60/90 or a finer grit?
Thanks, Andrea
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 8, 2014 18:25:42 GMT -5
What types frosted Andrea? Pictures of the batch would help a bunch.
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meviva
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Post by meviva on Oct 8, 2014 19:55:10 GMT -5
Here's a pic…you can't see the frosting very well, but it's mostly on the edges not the flat sides. The batch was mixed with a lot of different types of rocks most of them turned out shiny.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 8, 2014 21:11:38 GMT -5
Here's a pic…you can't see the frosting very well, but it's mostly on the edges not the flat sides. The batch was mixed with a lot of different types of rocks most of them turned out shiny. The pink and the white rock looks like rose quartz and clear quartz. They frost easy. did you keep your barrel 2/3 -3/4 full ?
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meviva
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Post by meviva on Oct 8, 2014 21:25:34 GMT -5
Usually I do 3/4 full…but I can't recall for sure on that batch. I'm just not sure which stage to put them back into to to fix them.
Thanks, Andrea
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Post by captbob on Oct 8, 2014 21:48:22 GMT -5
What grits do you have to choose from? No way you need go back to 60/90. I'd probably start in the 320-500 range myself. Maybe go as far as 220 if it's really that bad. Whatcha got?
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meviva
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Post by meviva on Oct 8, 2014 22:18:53 GMT -5
I have 120/220 silicon carbide…..500 aluminum oxide prepolish…..and aluminum oxide polish.
Andrea
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Post by captbob on Oct 8, 2014 22:30:02 GMT -5
How long are you running 120/220? Needs to be long enough for the grit to break down. Otherwise, that's quite a jump from 120/220 to 500 AO. You using any cushioning? 3lb rotary barrel?
ETA: You doing any burnishing between steps?
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meviva
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Post by meviva on Oct 8, 2014 22:47:16 GMT -5
I may have used the Harbor Freight vibe that you're not supposed to use for rocks for the 120/220 batch. I did use ceramics for cushioning. I don't remember how long it ran before it broke. Then they went back into the 6 lb. rotary barrel. I do inspect each rock before moving to the next stage. I thought there were 4 stages 60/90, 120/220, pre polish, and polish. What other grit size should I get? I really do need to start keeping note of what I do.
Andrea
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meviva
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Post by meviva on Oct 8, 2014 22:48:11 GMT -5
I do use borax between steps and a separate polish barrel.
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Post by captbob on Oct 8, 2014 23:55:30 GMT -5
Being that they went to polish, you must have achieved the shape you want. So, no further shaping (coarse grits) are needed. You're just refining the stones further now. Without seeing your entire batch, it's hard to say with certainty, but I would probably go back to a 320 grit myself. Or in a somewhat worn down 120/220 load.
You need to make sure your barrel is full enough that your stones aren't bashing the heck out of each other. Ceramic media is good for that, or you could go ahead and run another rough load setting these rocks aside for now. Then you can add your "frosted" rocks to the new batch when you get to the 2nd grit step. Make sure to run your 120/220 awhile to allow it to break down into finer grit.
I too use the ceramic media as a filler. But, also use plastic pellets to help cushion somewhere past the rough 60/90 grind - depends on the material. That may help you with your frosted look. Some folks use sugar which they say will help you. Maybe one of them can explain that to you. I don't use that method, but heck, I think vibes are cheatin'!
Bottom line, you said some of the rocks took a fine polish and are finished. So, I'd just re-run the frosted ones in the next load at the proper point. Like add them in once the 120/220 has run for awhile.
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meviva
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Post by meviva on Oct 9, 2014 0:43:37 GMT -5
Ok thanks…I will add them to the next 120/220 (worn down) batch I run if I don't get some 320 by then. I guess I'm going to be a cheater because I just bought myself a little ultra vibe and will be doing all stages after 60/90 in it….. Andrea
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Post by captbob on Oct 9, 2014 4:41:15 GMT -5
Good luck, and let us know how this works out for you. That vibe will no doubt save you lots of run time, and you can get many more batches completed with that set up.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 9, 2014 6:39:27 GMT -5
I had luck removing frost with 220 on obsidian. Not sure about quartz and agate.
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