verhexen
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2015
Posts: 73
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Post by verhexen on Sept 22, 2015 9:54:38 GMT -5
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Sept 22, 2015 10:04:43 GMT -5
Nice batch of difficult rocks. I have some Lab roughed and have been thinking of trying the dry polish too. Have read here that stabilizing with an acetone and epoxy 330 mix is also an option.
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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 22, 2015 17:57:12 GMT -5
very nice ... I've found that, especially with Labradorite, extra cushioning is better than extra material as it helps stop the crazing that I see on the stones. also, a thick slurry also helps cushion the material by keeping it coated with grit and slow the 'falling effect', which is when a group of stones tumbling fall down onto other stones usually because the grit mixture is thin and does little to slow the motion of the stones as they hit each other, also, make sure to check the stones for chips and any chipped stones are to be removed as found so that they can be ground down and corrected for the next batch. For a thickener, I take the grit/water mixture from my batches and set it out in a pan in the sun to dry, then pour the dust into a jar to keep for my course batches. It woks really well. for the 2nd thru polish batches, burnish/soap or another type of thickener.
hope this helps... Rock On!!
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Post by mohs on Sept 22, 2015 19:16:50 GMT -5
gotta lotta of flash there!
Ed
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verhexen
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2015
Posts: 73
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Post by verhexen on Sept 23, 2015 7:20:26 GMT -5
Thanks!!
With the labs, I let the slurry build up a LOT, I think I rinsed maybe three times total, twice in coarse and before polish. I used a lot of borax as well. These suckers were BEAUTIFUL before going into polish. I used borax DNS sugar to help cushion the polish stage, but still got lots of wounds, although some of them came out fine. I have 60+ lbs of other material to go through, but definitely looking forward to another go at these. I'm just hoping the dry polish will get me to the right amount of cushion!
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riverrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2010
Posts: 1,395
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Post by riverrock on Sept 23, 2015 7:58:51 GMT -5
Did you slice them or get them like that? Hope you can get the shine back that you want on them , lots of them look flashy
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Post by paulshiroma on Sept 23, 2015 19:25:45 GMT -5
Looking forward to seeing how they turn out. Lab is a tough stone, as was mentioned earlier. I tried on batch of Labradorite and promptly moved on due to lack of patience on my part.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Sept 24, 2015 3:10:12 GMT -5
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Post by iant on Sept 24, 2015 7:53:22 GMT -5
Nice flash on those. By taking on that stuff you are braver than me!
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verhexen
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2015
Posts: 73
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Post by verhexen on Sept 29, 2015 13:40:30 GMT -5
Definitely meant and sugar but my phone had other thoughts!
I've kept most of this batch as is and moved on to some amazinite and peach feldspar, and I've got some rios almost done as well. It may be next spring when I attempt labs again, but it'll be worth it!!
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stonemaster499
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since July 2014
Posts: 97
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Post by stonemaster499 on Oct 1, 2015 16:52:50 GMT -5
great job on the labra for a first attempt! Requires dry polish, or you see what happens... When using dry polish, make sure the vibe is sealed so you dont get the dust in the air/and or use a mask! (i use a bit of oil and wax to remove the "dust" factor). Try a black-wax to finish, for example turtlewax color wax black at any auto store. This will hide a lot of your issues - even after dry polish. The wax hides the white fractures, and fills gaps. polymer waxes are much better (ie same used on granite counter tops), if you looking to take it to the next level, after a dry polish. please note: The waxes hide the problems, and are NOT used to used to cheat a polish.
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verhexen
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2015
Posts: 73
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Post by verhexen on Oct 1, 2015 19:29:32 GMT -5
great job on the labra for a first attempt! Requires dry polish, or you see what happens... When using dry polish, make sure the vibe is sealed so you dont get the dust in the air/and or use a mask! (i use a bit of oil and wax to remove the "dust" factor). Try a black-wax to finish, for example turtlewax color wax black at any auto store. This will hide a lot of your issues - even after dry polish. The wax hides the white fractures, and fills gaps. polymer waxes are much better (ie same used on granite counter tops), if you looking to take it to the next level, after a dry polish. please note: The waxes hide the problems, and are NOT used to used to cheat a polish. Thank you, and thank you for that suggestion! I never would have thought of that, but you're making me want to try again very soon!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2015 20:19:20 GMT -5
Corn cob probably at your local feed store where they sell stuff for horses and fowls. 50# oughta be under $10
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Oct 1, 2015 20:50:42 GMT -5
Turned out very nice!!!!!!!!
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verhexen
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2015
Posts: 73
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Post by verhexen on Oct 2, 2015 5:19:30 GMT -5
Corn cob probably at your local feed store where they sell stuff for horses and fowls. 50# oughta be under $10 My dad grows corn, I wonder if I could just use some old cobs that I grate up or something..
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2015 10:24:06 GMT -5
Yes, if a dry polish is in order ground walnut shells work too.
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Tom
fully equipped rock polisher
My dad Tom suddenly passed away yesterday, Just wanted his "rock" family to know.
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,557
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Post by Tom on Oct 2, 2015 21:54:18 GMT -5
Corn cob probably at your local feed store where they sell stuff for horses and fowls. 50# oughta be under $10 My dad grows corn, I wonder if I could just use some old cobs that I grate up or something.. I think I would just spend the 10 bucks? Nice batch of lab you have. Dry polish and wax is the way to go. Good luck!
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verhexen
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2015
Posts: 73
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Post by verhexen on Oct 4, 2015 22:20:23 GMT -5
New job doesn't pay as much lol. Thank you!!
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timloco
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2012
Posts: 545
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Post by timloco on Oct 4, 2015 23:01:00 GMT -5
Labradorite is my favorite rock, and the rock that has broken my heart more than any other rock :-) It sounds like you have a lot of material to experiment with anyways. I wish I had a recipe, it baffles me.
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verhexen
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2015
Posts: 73
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Post by verhexen on Oct 5, 2015 7:40:34 GMT -5
Labradorite is my favorite rock, and the rock that has broken my heart more than any other rock :-) It sounds like you have a lot of material to experiment with anyways. I wish I had a recipe, it baffles me. I'm just glad I got some suitable for wrapping in this batch. I have over 150 lbs of material, but no more labs unfortunately. I think I'll get another 10 lbs or so, cut them with my trim saw, then coarse for two days, clean. Coarse for three more days, rough clean out yo keep sums slurry, 500 SiC for three days, then dry polish and wax after. Hopefully that works!
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