pacchardon
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2015
Posts: 22
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Post by pacchardon on Jun 11, 2016 14:52:40 GMT -5
I just got 3 lbs of Lapus. Any advice on tumbling it?
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Post by 150FromFundy on Jun 13, 2016 15:04:49 GMT -5
Lapis Lazuli can be a tough one to tumble because it is a rock made up of several different minerals (Lazurite, Calcite, Sodalite, Pyrite and others)with varying hardness, so undercutting and pitting can be a challenge. Depending whether you are using a rotary, or a vibe, the tips you get from members may vary, so we will need to know what machine you are using.
The white Calcite (H=3)is probably the softest and will likely be the most problematic.
I have saw cut small slabs and tumbled them in the vibe with good success, but I ran a lot of ceramic pellets (50% of the load) to act as cushion and reduce the undercutting and pitting.
Darryl.
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ubermenehune
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2016
Posts: 293
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Post by ubermenehune on Jun 13, 2016 15:24:35 GMT -5
Honestly, I don't do anything special or different. I just toss mine into the same batch as harder rocks and they tumble fine. Even get a nice shine.
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pacchardon
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2015
Posts: 22
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Post by pacchardon on Jun 13, 2016 19:04:39 GMT -5
It will be done in a rotary. The lot is scrape, obviously cut. Much of it doesn't need much grinding, some is rough and does need some. I was thinking about trying it in a rough grind (60-90) for a day or 2 and then going to medium. I was planning on not going more than a couple of days in any stage, except for as many days as it needs in a dry polish. Does that sound like a plan?
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