lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Jun 11, 2018 17:41:55 GMT -5
Hello! I have a batch of sodalite currently in 120 grit. I shaped them in a rotary and they were all generally smooth. A day in the vibe with 120 and there are considerable amount of tiny cavities and pits.
I’m using the same amount of ceramic media that I always do. Very frustrated!
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rodeodan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 213
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Post by rodeodan on Jun 13, 2018 9:48:41 GMT -5
I did sodalite once and found it to be a tricky stone. My process was to use a rotary for the first two stages (46/70 & 120/220 grits) but then pre polish and polish was done in the vibe. For me, the best result came when i did a full week each for the final two stages but even then, the results were mediocre at best. Small fractures, dull shine and extra effort made me add them to the "Avoid" list.
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ingawh
starting to spend too much on rocks
The rock wants to shine, I just help it get there
Member since February 2011
Posts: 194
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Post by ingawh on Jun 14, 2018 20:28:21 GMT -5
I agree that sodalite can be tricky to get a uniform polish on - nature of the beast. I've done it in the vibe with my usual recipe as for obsidian and softer materials. It doesn't come out with the liquid shine, and some patches just never shine up, but it's still a pretty stone, and you can get some nice pieces, so I still like to play with it. I'll attach photos of a batch plus a couple close-ups. You'll see the imperfections, but I can live with them 'cause they're still kinda pretty. Sodalite batch by Inga Holmquist, on Flickr Sodalite2 by Inga Holmquist, on Flickr Sodalite1 by Inga Holmquist, on Flickr
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Jun 14, 2018 21:12:03 GMT -5
I agree that sodalite can be tricky to get a uniform polish on - nature of the beast. I've done it in the vibe with my usual recipe as for obsidian and softer materials. It doesn't come out with the liquid shine, and some patches just never shine up, but it's still a pretty stone, and you can get some nice pieces, so I still like to play with it. I'll attach photos of a batch plus a couple close-ups. You'll see the imperfections, but I can live with them 'cause they're still kinda pretty. Sodalite batch by Inga Holmquist, on Flickr Sodalite2 by Inga Holmquist, on Flickr Sodalite1 by Inga Holmquist, on Flickr "kinda pretty".......?
That material is gorgeous.....outstanding job.........I'll bet it even fluoresces.....!
I might just give this stuff a try, 5.5 to 6.0 on the Mohs scale. Maybe if I can try a common Opal or Calcite approach to polishing in the vibe (120/220, 600, 800 with ceramics, then dry walnut shell mixed with dry Covington Gold #2), I'll get similar results....?
Of course, I'll prep it on the diamond faceting discs prior to the vibe action.
Your work has peaked my interest and inspired my imagination.......thanks for showing!
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ingawh
starting to spend too much on rocks
The rock wants to shine, I just help it get there
Member since February 2011
Posts: 194
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Post by ingawh on Jun 14, 2018 23:13:30 GMT -5
I agree that sodalite can be tricky to get a uniform polish on - nature of the beast. I've done it in the vibe with my usual recipe as for obsidian and softer materials. It doesn't come out with the liquid shine, and some patches just never shine up, but it's still a pretty stone, and you can get some nice pieces, so I still like to play with it. I'll attach photos of a batch plus a couple close-ups. You'll see the imperfections, but I can live with them 'cause they're still kinda pretty. Sodalite batch by Inga Holmquist, on Flickr Sodalite2 by Inga Holmquist, on Flickr Sodalite1 by Inga Holmquist, on Flickr "kinda pretty".......?
That material is gorgeous.....outstanding job.........I'll bet it even fluoresces.....!
I might just give this stuff a try, 5.5 to 6.0 on the Mohs scale. Maybe if I can try a common Opal or Calcite approach to polishing in the vibe (120/220, 600, 800 with ceramics, then dry walnut shell mixed with dry Covington Gold #2), I'll get similar results....?
Of course, I'll prep it on the diamond faceting discs prior to the vibe action.
Your work has peaked my interest and inspired my imagination.......thanks for showing!
You're very kind - thank you. I don't tend to prep my tumbles, but I think in the future, especially for something like sodalite, I might give that a try. That would probably give some of the trickier pieces a fighting chance of the best outcome. When I started tumbling, I didn't have a saw or an arbor. Now that I do, I still almost never use them, but I know it can make a big difference in the end result. I also tried the walnut shells a time or two, but couldn't get much in the way of results. I now pretty much just stick to my AO 400 (with psyllium/handsoap as thickener) in the Lot-O-Tumbler for around 48 hours for softer stones like sodalite. I don't see if you mentioned which vibe you're using...?
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Jun 15, 2018 1:57:32 GMT -5
Inga.....I use a couple of Lyman Turbo bowl vibes for everything, with ceramics as filler, after 60/90 rough rotary........
If you have viewed any of my past threads, the results I've been able to get with almost anything Mohs scale 5.0 to 7.0 (after disc prep and rotary rough tumble), have turned out pretty acceptable for tumbled quality.....!
I have a buddy who uses the Lot-O's....we occasionally share material and our results........I like the Lot-O very much, but not ready to invest in that cost yet, and I lack space. Never-the-less, when we compare results, his cycle times are faster and polished results are just a hair more "marketable" than what I can achieve thus far, and he doesn't prep like I do. We both use the same types and brands of grit/polish media.
Anyway, I'm always looking for a challenge and a method that is cost effective, fast and provides above average results.......I don't sell or market, just provide friends who wire-wrap jewelry and make refrig. magnet holders for the kids and wife's work partners.........which brings me back to the OP's subject matter. I've gotten requests recently for Moon Stone, Sodalite, Calcite, Fluorite and other softer stones. I only have experience with Calcite and Opal.......so when I saw this thread and then your material, the light went on in my head, maybe I can do this..!
Thanks for the info on your walnut shell results.......it worked on my Calcite, but maybe I'll stick to the conventional polish method first........now to round up some Sodalite.......my wife and her jewelry buddies will be "biting at the bit" once I tell them I'm gonna give it a try....!
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Jun 16, 2018 14:11:44 GMT -5
I mix mine with Mohs 7 rocks in a vibe (UV18) and use the psyllium as thickener/cushioning after 220. These were roughed rotary then in the vibe 220 sic, 600 sic, AO1000, Rock Shed AO polish IMG_3494 by Ken Vancil, on Flickr IMG_3498 by Ken Vancil, on Flickr
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