|
Post by rockjunquie on Aug 20, 2017 11:20:41 GMT -5
Sorry no pictures- just questions.
I think I have done one other fluorite before Fri and that was years ago. I was working a pretty marquise when I noticed this pattern or veil on the stone. It was obviously a characteristic of the stone. I have no idea what to call it, but if you have cabbed fluorite then you probably know what I am talking it.
I was on the 360 wheel when it showed up. I stayed on that wheel a long time trying to get rid of it. Then, it occurred to me that it may have to be polished off on the next wheels. So, I stayed on the next one forever. I almost got rid if it. Then I went to the last wheel. After a long time, I still had some remnants of it. I took it to the outside, well worn 14k. Just about all of it was finally worked off. I thought a run on the 50k would be a god idea... Nope, that wheel isn't worn in much, so it actually scratched the soft fluorite. Now I have to take it back though the last 3 wheels.
So, what is the best way to polish fluorite or did I have the right idea? I've seen some really gorgeous cabs of it. Its not my favorite stone by any stretch, but I would like to pull off a few nice ones.
|
|
|
Post by stardiamond on Aug 20, 2017 12:27:08 GMT -5
I might have a fluorite cab, but I know I haven't worked with it. A few questions? Do you use your canvas pad for polishing? Do you have any other methods for polishing? I have a 50,000 wheel that is well worn but not worn out, a canvas pad with 50,000 and a canvas pad with a 100,000. I am self taught and not able to take advantage of the experience of others. I've learned that materials take a polish differently and when faced with a problem I am unable to solve, I put the cab aside and try later. Maybe when you 50,000 wheel is more worn things will go better.
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Aug 20, 2017 13:35:31 GMT -5
I might have a fluorite cab, but I know I haven't worked with it. A few questions? Do you use your canvas pad for polishing? Do you have any other methods for polishing? I have a 50,000 wheel that is well worn but not worn out, a canvas pad with 50,000 and a canvas pad with a 100,000. I am self taught and not able to take advantage of the experience of others. I've learned that materials take a polish differently and when faced with a problem I am unable to solve, I put the cab aside and try later. Maybe when you 50,000 wheel is more worn things will go better. No, I have a genie and use the nova wheels for polishing. I use the end spin on ones for 8, 14 and 50k. Either my 50k is contaminated, which I doubt, or the substrate is too rough for very soft stones. It scratches rhodochrosite, too. Yes, putting it away for awhile might help, but if I repolish it and leave out the 50k, I think it will be ok.
|
|
|
Post by stardiamond on Aug 20, 2017 14:06:04 GMT -5
The canvas pads are inexpensive and can be recharged with diamond paste. I wipe off my cabs before and after the 50,000 and when I store the pads, I make sure the faces don't touch. When the stones start getting hot from the pads I spray the pads with silicon. Since the pads are soft, I can press the cabs in to the pads when I polish.
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Aug 20, 2017 15:03:10 GMT -5
The canvas pads are inexpensive and can be recharged with diamond paste. I wipe off my cabs before and after the 50,000 and when I store the pads, I make sure the faces don't touch. When the stones start getting hot from the pads I spray the pads with silicon. Since the pads are soft, I can press the cabs in to the pads when I polish. I'm looking at this.... is this what you are talking about it? I have paste already. There is another which is similar to what I have on my flat lap and never use. It's felt. I wonder which is better?
|
|
|
Post by stardiamond on Aug 20, 2017 15:54:17 GMT -5
Mine is canvas, smooth and came with my Genie. I ordered another. Page 18 of the DP catalog. $12.50
|
|
|
Post by Bluesky78987 on Aug 21, 2017 9:24:47 GMT -5
Search for TNTMom's post awhile back (maybe like 4 years?) about her fluorite cabs she was doing. I don't remember what she said of course but she had done a fair amount of experimenting and problem solving.
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Aug 22, 2017 7:28:39 GMT -5
Search for TNTMom's post awhile back (maybe like 4 years?) about her fluorite cabs she was doing. I don't remember what she said of course but she had done a fair amount of experimenting and problem solving. Yeah, I specifically remember hers being incredible- but all of her work is. She really did fluorite right. She was using the flat lap at the time, though. I wonder if it will be much different?? Time to do some searching.... Thanks for the nudge!
|
|
|
Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 22, 2017 11:43:37 GMT -5
Search for TNTMom's post awhile back (maybe like 4 years?) about her fluorite cabs she was doing. I don't remember what she said of course but she had done a fair amount of experimenting and problem solving. Krystee's post on cabbing fluorite -
Fluorite cabs... screwed one of them up
From Nov 2013. That girl could put a shine on anything!
rockjunquie
ETA - Here is another thread from Bikerrandy Fluorite from June..... from 2013.
Both he and Krystee tell how they do it. Unfortunately, due to the @ssholes at Pbucket, no photo of the cab he did
|
|
|
Post by Bluesky78987 on Aug 22, 2017 13:00:21 GMT -5
I miss her posts, she's amazing!
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Aug 22, 2017 15:15:45 GMT -5
Search for TNTMom's post awhile back (maybe like 4 years?) about her fluorite cabs she was doing. I don't remember what she said of course but she had done a fair amount of experimenting and problem solving. Krystee's post on cabbing fluorite -
Fluorite cabs... screwed one of them up
From Nov 2013. That girl could put a shine on anything!
rockjunquie
ETA - Here is another thread from Bikerrandy Fluorite from June..... from 2013.
Both he and Krystee tell how they do it. Unfortunately, due to the @ssholes at Pbucket, no photo of the cab he did
Believe it or not..... I actually found those myself. LOL!!!! I like the new search box. I could never find anything before. I was cabbing all day. Couldn't stop to post with all the water- so, thank you a little late. I worked that fluorite again. Guess what? I destroyed it. I suppose on the 14k, it got a little too hot, though, I honestly don't now how it did. One side just kinda shattered internally in a couple spots. As mad as it made me- now I want to try some more. I don't think I have any more, though, I'll have to do some rummaging.
|
|
Deb/nyllynn
spending too much on rocks
Deb & Jim
Member since April 2009
Posts: 348
|
Post by Deb/nyllynn on Sept 3, 2017 19:20:01 GMT -5
I had one I had been working on and when I went to the 14,000, it broke in two... Very sad, because I was getting excited...
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,732
|
Post by gemfeller on Sept 3, 2017 21:12:56 GMT -5
Fluorite has perfect cleavage in 4 directions that can make it a pain to cut. Any physical stress or overheating will cause it to split. I started a cab when this was first posted to see if I could work out a method for cutting it -- I've done several in the past but how I did it has gone down the old memory hole.
I ran into smoothing problems and have been meaning to dop it and work it on a wheel that has more "give" than my Novas to work out the lumps, but it's been incredibly hot here and my shop is off limits until things cool off. I'll try to give a report when I get back to it -- successful or not.
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Sept 3, 2017 21:20:03 GMT -5
I had one I had been working on and when I went to the 14,000, it broke in two... Very sad, because I was getting excited... I hate to like this post seeing how it broke. I feel for you.
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Sept 3, 2017 21:21:00 GMT -5
Fluorite has perfect cleavage in 4 directions that can make it a pain to cut. Any physical stress or overheating will cause it to split. I started a cab when this was first posted to see if I could work out a method for cutting it -- I've done several in the past but how I did it has gone down the old memory hole. I ran into smoothing problems and have been meaning to dop it and work it on a wheel that has more "give" than my Novas to work out the lumps, but it's been incredibly hot here and my shop is off limits until things cool off. I'll try to give a report when I get back to it -- successful or not. Thanks! That will be interesting. I did find another precab to work with. I'm going to order a canvas pad to work with, though.
|
|
|
Post by spiceman on Sept 3, 2017 21:52:48 GMT -5
This might be crazy but I used to polish aluminum to a mirror finish, by hand. The mirror was for testing, odd shapes and sizes. The last step was on a granite surface plate using oil As a lubricant. Something to try..maybe.
|
|
vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 555
|
Post by vwfence on Sept 4, 2017 9:26:13 GMT -5
I have used a bit of liquid carnuba auto polish on a felt wheel on a dremel tool with very little pressure and gotten a decent shine . I have found heat to be a bit of a problem with the fluorite from here . {Arizona }
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,594
|
Post by Tommy on Sept 4, 2017 22:36:41 GMT -5
Unfortunately, due to the @ssholes at Pbucket, no photo of the cab he did Photo fixed - as long as the broken link photos still exist on pee-bucket I can fix them. When key threads come up with photos missing you guys can tag me and I'll come in and fix it. It only takes a minute.
|
|