Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Dec 8, 2014 12:03:50 GMT -5
Usually, with most loads i've done, the results after 120/220 feel like a smooth chalkboard. Granted, the load i've just finished is smooth but not as such. If one were to tumble that load in pre-polish (#3 A.O.?) for a longer amount of time, is there a possibility that it will rectify the problem?
*Sidenote: I'm tumbling jade and softer orange jasper which are all about 5.5-6.5ish. Maybe the orange jasper is so soft that it is not effectively "removing the scratches" of the jade...and in retrospect, the jade is causing the scratches of the orange jasper?
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Dec 8, 2014 12:43:58 GMT -5
Typically when you have two different materials in the same load the harder material might take a polish. The softer material will not. You can try a longer run to smooth out the jade.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Dec 9, 2014 12:05:07 GMT -5
I've seen something similar to that when tumbling mixed hardness (5 to 6 mohs) in 80 grit. The rocks rounded and smoothed to a point but had what I can only describe as grooves in them. I re-rolled them in graded 240 and the grooves were removed. Maybe a run in straight graded grit would make them better?
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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 Dec 9, 2014 18:10:38 GMT -5
Many forms of jade cannot be effectively tumbled as many jade forms are not of homogeneous hardness. I had a big lot of trimmings from Wyoming jade. Tried them in my rotary and they came out of fine grind dimpled as all get out. Tons of undercutting that nothing would get rid of. Vibe might work differently. Have not tried that. Not true with all jade, as I've seen Coulterville Jade from Flyaway Gulch tumbled to a pretty fair shine. Not so with any forms I've tried though.....Mel
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