rockrockrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2016
Posts: 86
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Post by rockrockrock on Dec 14, 2017 16:18:54 GMT -5
Hello, Everyone, and thank you so much for welcoming me to this wonderful board.
I have a small business that uses some really weird plastics. One of these plastics is allergic to water and heat, so I must dry polish slowly and carefully.
I have had success using 220 grit for intial deburring in a vibratory tumbler. However, the material shows every tiny microscratch on the surface. This is also complicated by one my products being pure black, which, just like a black car, shows every little tiny bhairline scratch. I have gotten close to a solution by applying, by hand, 100,000 (.25 micron particle size) diamond paste and buffing, again by hand, with white rouge and then, finally, blue rouge. But, boy, is it slow going.
I am looking for a solution that I know is out there to get that glass-like polish in the final stage. I'm aware of the Vibra-Dry product from Diamond Pacific, but it is very pricey and I know, by experimentation, I can create my own. I have LOTS of corncob on hand.
I have spent over two years and several thousand dollars trying to solve this. Since I discovered the lapidary world, I have moved much closer.
ANy links, URL, vids, etc. you may know of, or your own experiece would be immeasurably helpful to me.
Thanks So Much, RockRockRock
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,422
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Post by Wooferhound on Dec 15, 2017 1:23:26 GMT -5
I have seen members here tumbling the Hard Outside Skin of a Bowling Ball called "Bowlerite", they also tumble Built Up Paint Layers known as "Fordite". As far as I know, they are using fairly standard polishing methods that are used in Rock Polishing. Try searching those materials.
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rockrockrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2016
Posts: 86
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Post by rockrockrock on Dec 15, 2017 14:43:01 GMT -5
Woofer, thanks so much for taking the time to respond. I will definitely check into this.
What I'm really hoping to find is a way embed grit or diamond dust or tin oxide etc. onto, or into, the corn cob, and then let it do its thing. Anyone have any idea what sort of binding agent I might try?
Thanks again, Woof,
Scott
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Post by grumpybill on Dec 15, 2017 14:49:01 GMT -5
Wouldn't it embed itself during the tumbling process?
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 15, 2017 15:12:31 GMT -5
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minerken
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2013
Posts: 466
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Post by minerken on Dec 15, 2017 15:37:09 GMT -5
I have actually experimented with the dry polish technique with corncob and came up with a pretty cool product by this company www.engis.com/diamond-slurries.php look at their non-diamond products such as colloidal alumina. I am not affiliated with this company and there are others out there with similar products I just happened to settle on this one. I simply used a spray bottle and saturated the corn cob with it there seems to be some type of oily material used with it I suspect mineral oil that acts as a binder and then some is just a water suspension and needs to be shaken a little expensive but goes a long way may be worth a try.
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rockrockrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2016
Posts: 86
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Post by rockrockrock on Dec 15, 2017 15:50:12 GMT -5
Wouldn't it embed itself during the tumbling process? Grumpy, unfortunately, no. For instance, starting at about 400 grit, the grit is so light it just floats away out of the tumbler bowl. I'm looking for something that will bind it and will just have to experiment, such as carnuba wax, car polish, etc. thanks, scott
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 15, 2017 16:16:17 GMT -5
Wouldn't it embed itself during the tumbling process? Grumpy, unfortunately, no. For instance, starting at about 400 grit, the grit is so light it just floats away out of the tumbler bowl. I'm looking for something that will bind it and will just have to experiment, such as carnuba wax, car polish, etc. thanks, scott I reuse my corn cob with 500 grit in it a lot. I do add some grit every two or three uses, but I’m not sure that I have to. When I clean out the tumbler, there is some dust lost to the inside of the barrel and to the bowl I dump it into. I’m not sure if that dust is corn cob dust, rock dust, aluminum oxide, or a combination of the three. I’m sure some of the grit is embedded or mixed with the corn for the next batch. I’d love to improve my method, so if you figure out how to make it more effective with additives, please report back.
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Post by youp50 on Dec 15, 2017 17:02:28 GMT -5
Not sure if it will help, there is a thick polish that I use in a different tumbler for polishing rifle brass. Brownells, Midway, Midsouth, and Cheaper than dirt are a couple of places you could get it.
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Post by spiceman on Dec 16, 2017 0:59:49 GMT -5
Well, nothing to do with polishing. But the company I worked for made plexiglas blocks and they had to be polished to clear. It was for Kodak and the ink traveled through the holes and being clear they could see the flow. Machining turned it a white powder color. We used a degreaser that heated up the liquid to a vapor. The top of the tub had a cooling ring to turn the vapor back to a liquid. The heat and the vapor melted a very thin layer of the plastic making it as Clear as glass. If your interested I can try to find out what liquid was used. I do know that it was bad to inhale....toxic
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rockrockrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2016
Posts: 86
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Post by rockrockrock on Dec 16, 2017 1:26:32 GMT -5
Well, nothing to do with polishing. But the company I worked for made plexiglas blocks and they had to be polished to clear. It was for Kodak and the ink traveled through the holes and being clear they could see the flow. Machining turned it a white powder color. We used a degreaser that heated up the liquid to a vapor. The top of the tub had a cooling ring to turn the vapor back to a liquid. The heat and the vapor melted a very thin layer of the plastic making it as Clear as glass. If your interested I can try to find out what liquid was used. I do know that it was bad to inhale....toxic I wanted to take time to thank each person for their post. I think the toxicity would make this a non-starter for me, as I believe there are "cleaner" approaches I'm coming upon, but I do very much appreciate you taking the time to post and respond. Thank You! Rock
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rockrockrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2016
Posts: 86
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Post by rockrockrock on Dec 16, 2017 1:29:00 GMT -5
Not sure if it will help, there is a thick polish that I use in a different tumbler for polishing rifle brass. Brownells, Midway, Midsouth, and Cheaper than dirt are a couple of places you could get it. Thanks for this. I believe someone may have already mentioned this above, but it bears repeating. I've been looking at lot at the gun and brass polishing world, since this is typically done with vibratory tumbling, where I'm already having good success and the direction in which I'm proceeding. Will let you know what I discover. Thank You! RRR
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rockrockrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2016
Posts: 86
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Post by rockrockrock on Dec 16, 2017 1:32:05 GMT -5
By the way, folks, one thing I wanted to mention....
The GOOD news is this material has no problem with any petroleum or oil-based products; it only hates water. From what I'm seeing already, I'm sure I'll run across something petroleum based that will act as a good binding agent and solve my issue. Appreciate all the wonderful suggestions.
RRR
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rockrockrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2016
Posts: 86
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Post by rockrockrock on Dec 16, 2017 1:33:54 GMT -5
Grumpy, unfortunately, no. For instance, starting at about 400 grit, the grit is so light it just floats away out of the tumbler bowl. I'm looking for something that will bind it and will just have to experiment, such as carnuba wax, car polish, etc. thanks, scott I reuse my corn cob with 500 grit in it a lot. I do add some grit every two or three uses, but I’m not sure that I have to. When I clean out the tumbler, there is some dust lost to the inside of the barrel and to the bowl I dump it into. I’m not sure if that dust is corn cob dust, rock dust, aluminum oxide, or a combination of the three. I’m sure some of the grit is embedded or mixed with the corn for the next batch. I’d love to improve my method, so if you figure out how to make it more effective with additives, please report back. Jug, thanks for the info. Please do make a note to check back with me in a month or two and pull my chain. I'm happy to share whatever solutions I come up with. Thanks!
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rockrockrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2016
Posts: 86
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Post by rockrockrock on Dec 16, 2017 1:35:47 GMT -5
Got it. Thanks for the referral. Will read this through. Thanks Again! RRR
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rockrockrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2016
Posts: 86
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Post by rockrockrock on Dec 16, 2017 1:37:56 GMT -5
I have actually experimented with the dry polish technique with corncob and came up with a pretty cool product by this company www.engis.com/diamond-slurries.php look at their non-diamond products such as colloidal alumina. I am not affiliated with this company and there are others out there with similar products I just happened to settle on this one. I simply used a spray bottle and saturated the corn cob with it there seems to be some type of oily material used with it I suspect mineral oil that acts as a binder and then some is just a water suspension and needs to be shaken a little expensive but goes a long way may be worth a try. Just looked at their site, and this is definitely very interesting. Will probably call their tech support folks and pick their brains. REALLY appreciate this info. thanks! RRR
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Post by rmf on Dec 16, 2017 6:37:03 GMT -5
I have tumbled Brass and Iron for various folks and used plastic pellets that have various grits embeded in he plastic. they come in various grit sizes. Also there is a polish they sell for tumbling bullet brass and after experimenting with that (you mix it with corn cobs or walnut shells) I discovered that it is just cerium oxide in a solution.
the plastic cones came from Ebersole Lapidary Supply. do no know if they still carry them. They come with sharp corners you would need to run them a day or two to let the corners dull down before adding plastic.
BTW I got a good shiny finish on brass tubing pieces with out having to do it all by hand.
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rockrockrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2016
Posts: 86
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Post by rockrockrock on Dec 16, 2017 11:41:39 GMT -5
rmf, thanks very much. A number of people have mentioned the casing polish idea. I was unaware that it had cerium oxide it in, but it makes sense.
Could you tell me which specific polish you're referring to? A direct link would be really cool.
Anyone else have a specific brass casing polish you used that gets great results?
Thanks So Much! Scott
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Post by rmf on Dec 16, 2017 12:01:38 GMT -5
rmf, thanks very much. A number of people have mentioned the casing polish idea. I was unaware that it had cerium oxide it in, but it makes sense. Could you tell me which specific polish you're referring to? A direct link would be really cool. Anyone else have a specific brass casing polish you used that gets great results? Thanks So Much! Scott iosso.com/press/products/case-polish/A number of years ago I went to visit the in-laws at Christmas and discovered that Sedelia MO has Starline Brass. they make bullet brass. We stopped by and asked if they gave tours. The said sure. They use straight walnut shells no additive to polish the new brass. Watching them take a sheet of brass and punch a disk out if it the size if a nickel or dime and form a bullet case from that was very interesting.
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rockrockrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2016
Posts: 86
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Post by rockrockrock on Dec 16, 2017 12:45:29 GMT -5
BTW, folks, the material I'm working with is about a 3-4 on the Mohs hardness scale.
RRR
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