pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Apr 29, 2018 15:59:50 GMT -5
Since the time I joined this forum, I have increasingly been overwhelmed by the fantastic results and knowledge displayed here by so many (less than professional lapidarist) members.....the pro's obviously provide awesome input and marketable results.....to them I also thank.
So, that being said, now having raised my bar of personal expectations to a notch or two higher (within my feeble budget) and abilities, and having grown displeased with just shiny cracked and polish pitted, tooth brushed/soaped scrubbed, dental picked, Dremel prep'd and walnut shell burnished....results...! I went out and popped for a Covington made diamond faceting disc and an alum head with an assortment of Sic sanding discs....more on the sanding head/disks later.
Those, who follow me here, are aware that I have no patients for long rotary grind applications......4 to 5 weeks I max out. Being well aware that 1st-2nd grind cycles are the key to better end results and rotary satisfies that application........But, being impatient and having less expendable time available for "hobbies"......I needed to find a way to accelerate the process with end results being more to the pleasure of myself and my QC partner, wife.....lol
Working with the cheap-o bench grinder I have dedicated for my rocks (will eventually) switch it to my better two speed.....I have attached a salad bowl with waterproof/vibe padding to the grinder and installed the diamond 60grit disc........the head was a problem, needed to be metric threaded twice (which still does not fit properly).....so the head is now a no go. Besides, the diamond disc will save time and money in the long run, the Sic pads would have never accomplished what I'm able now to perform....:
I had spent 5 weeks in rotary 1st stage, and 96 hours through pre-polish with a Moss, Bot, Lace and Mozambique mix...:
Rough Moss Rough Moza Pieces that made the grade & assorted fill material Moss that needed help Selected Moss & Moza after diamond wheel shaping After 120/220 vibe with a few stray Bots thrown in
Given the extreme 60 grit shaping....even after 120/220, I've decided to go 3f-400 for the next cycle.....the filler material thus far has been Mex Lace and ceramics.......they are doing well....lol
Note:
As far as "Learned Tricks"..........I'd forgotten to thank a few members here for the inspiration........Jean (rockpickerforever), (nowyo) and Walt (manofglass) Thank You......this thread...:
forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/82437/ along with Jean's creations and encouragement, and Walt's ideas got me thinking about the bench grinder faceting disc and alum head application.........!
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on May 7, 2018 8:39:47 GMT -5
Here's some pic's of the finished pieces.......everything but the Mex Lace had very few pits, making polish removal seamless........:
Moza
Bots
Moss
The process of diamond faceting disc prep after cut and rough rotary cycled for a few weeks makes a ton of difference........rather than disc prep prior to rough cycle, it was suggested by the Covington folks, that it would save wear and tear on the disk (even though they are suppose to last for awhile).....and make identifying the stone areas that need attention, easier......they were right again...!
It also saved me a few grinding cycles, even though much of this load had been through 1st, 2nd and 3rd grinding cycles previously (my displeasure prompted the purchase of the disc), I can now cut, rough cycle, shape and form, and run my vibes through the 120/220, 600, 800 and final polish stages. No need for 400 and pre-polish stages (at least for the above material types) and go from "start to finish" in about 21 days........that works for me...!
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Post by Peruano on May 7, 2018 13:27:54 GMT -5
How are you delivering water to that setup. You need to suppress dust and heat. You might be able to install a diamond or sic wheel which would be a bit more aggressive on that grinder, but you would need to rig a pan and drip system. I started with an equally homemade system, but that convinced me that life was short enough that I might as well pop for a better unit. A Rock Rascal combo unit or similar would be a good entry for you if you decide to go one step up. Congrats and have fun. And yes rocks have personality.
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nchillbilly
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2018
Posts: 212
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Post by nchillbilly on May 7, 2018 20:50:43 GMT -5
Good evening Joe. I feel your pain. I have the same gripes about a number of my finished batches. Although I haven't gone to the lengths you have, I have started sort of preshaping my tumbles with a tile saw. I don't have the time to get into this full-bore yet, but I'm learning quite a bit so maybe down the road I can jump in with both feet. BTW, your stones look incredible. Goes back to that tenacity thing we talked about. I don't obsess over them, but always striving for that perfect batch. Don't know what I'd do with them if it happened, though. I guess try to repeat.
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on May 7, 2018 21:25:52 GMT -5
Good evening Joe. I feel your pain. I have the same gripes about a number of my finished batches. Although I haven't gone to the lengths you have, I have started sort of preshaping my tumbles with a tile saw. I don't have the time to get into this full-bore yet, but I'm learning quite a bit so maybe down the road I can jump in with both feet. BTW, your stones look incredible. Goes back to that tenacity thing we talked about. I don't obsess over them, but always striving for that perfect batch. Don't know what I'd do with them if it happened, though. I guess try to repeat. Thanks J.T.
I just figured that if I'm going to spend time at this (what little I have), I needed a way to get decent results without wasting (tossing away) material or requiring re-work after 6 or more weeks of tumbling. I've been very frugal with my expenditures (outside of media and the few tools I have acquired (faceting discs). Even the saw I purchased was on sale.........but, as you know, "necessity is the mother of invention", so is lack of time and lack of patience.....lol
The only obsession I have with most of my hobbies is to get as good at it as I can with the tools, time and abilities I posses........the rest will either come to fruition or I just move on.....counting it as another of life's learning experiences. When I stop seeking knowledge and the ability to pass it on to others, it will be time to plant me next to a big tree and few large Agates....lol
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on May 8, 2018 11:44:52 GMT -5
How are you delivering water to that setup. You need to suppress dust and heat. You might be able to install a diamond or sic wheel which would be a bit more aggressive on that grinder, but you would need to rig a pan and drip system. I started with an equally homemade system, but that convinced me that life was short enough that I might as well pop for a better unit. A Rock Rascal combo unit or similar would be a good entry for you if you decide to go one step up. Congrats and have fun. And yes rocks have personality. Thanks for the info.....!
I'm pretty happy with the current set-up. The only change will be transferring the diamond faceting disc to my two speed grinder, 3450 RPM's is very aggressive and the life of the disc will be shortened unless I slow it down some........my two speed will slow down to approx. 1720 RPM's, that should help.
I use two methods for cooling and directing moisture onto the disk, both work well.........have a small aquarium sump pump attached to an adjustable spray mister that has a shut off valve. It is placed just outside of the disc shield. The only issue with it is keeping my hands from blocking the direction of the spray. The other method is a little more cumbersome but efficient....a commercial hand held spray unit. It leaves me with only one hand to hold the stone, but since I'm only dealing with 1" to 3" stones, one hand grinding is not a problem and the amount of water dispersed onto the disc is actually controlled more directly.......no problems with dust or heat thus far.
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Post by Peruano on May 8, 2018 15:06:50 GMT -5
Both of your water solutions sound reasonable. I just didn't see where it was coming from or where it was going. Clearly it goes down, probably to be caught in a bucket below. I use an equally homegrown system with water supplied by gravity from a 1.5 gallon plastic container. There are times when I want an aquarium pump but I would use more water and hence have to refill more often. Oh to have a plumbed workshop.
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