gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Nov 29, 2018 11:27:16 GMT -5
Hi -
I'm new to using other types polishing media and have heard that Cerium Oxide does a really great job of polishing agates, etc. Since it cost a bundle I'm wondering if the cost is worth it if you have to use say a tablespoon per pound of rocks. I found a kg (2.2 lbs) costs around $28-$30.
Maybe some of the tumbling wizards on the forum can give some advise regarding cerium (and other) polishes.
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Nov 29, 2018 15:23:26 GMT -5
I have only used Cerium Oxide, since I started tumbling a coupla years ago. I have a Loretone QT66 with two 6 pound barrels. The Barrel would be 80% full with at least 1/3 plastic beads. I used 2 or 3 Tablespoons per barrel and had good results in 3 days and great results after a full week. I've reused the CO polish up to 4 times before throwing it out by adding 1 additional tablespoon when starting the next polish run. I was using the Pink Cerium Oxide which is the cheapest version. www.kingsleynorth.com/skshop/product.php?id=46509&catID=189
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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 29, 2018 16:35:09 GMT -5
I have never used cerium oxide for tumbling. I use aluminum oxide from The Rock Shed for every type of rock I tumble. It’s cheap and works great. I and several other people on this forum have won tumbling contests using aluminum oxide. Actually, I used OMG 2 aluminum oxide when I won the contest, but I use the cheap stuff from The Rock Shed most of the time. I’m not convinced that there is a difference. I sure can’t tell by looking at my finished rocks.
By the way, I’m using a vibratory tumbler for finishing my rocks, but I don’t think that makes a difference in the type of polish used.
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Post by aDave on Nov 30, 2018 12:15:57 GMT -5
I'm all rotary, and I've only used aluminum oxide polish. With the results I'm seeing, I can't think of a reason to change. Yeah, I polish for a long time (3 weeks), but I've come to be pretty patient. Don't get me wrong, excellent results can be had at shorter durations, but I'm totally happy waiting that long.
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Post by greig on Nov 30, 2018 19:21:35 GMT -5
I was given a tupperware container of cerium oxide and have tried it in both a rotary tumbler and a vibratory flat lap. Honestly, I am not really sure that I see a difference from the polish using aluminum oxide. If I were to polish a rock for a competition, for sure I would use cerium (just in case). All that said, I would like to point out that you can reuse polish. I usually dump mine because of laziness, but to save money you can filter and dry it and use it multiple times.
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Nov 30, 2018 19:21:51 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. I use Alum Ox successfully, I just read some good things about Cerium and have never tried it.
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