Post by fernwood on Feb 22, 2019 7:30:08 GMT -5
After 8 months of using my CE, 3 lb. duel barrel rotary, am having mixed results. Hoping someone has some pointers.
The usual process for hard rocks/cab preforms:
80 SIC Stage
Mix different sizes of rocks/preforms. Add pre-polished, 1/2" triangle ceramic media and/or pre-polished 7 to 7.5 mohs pea gravel.
Add about 4 TBS saved slurry. Add 2 TB new grit. Fill with water to just below the rocks
Let run for up to 3 weeks.
Cleaning
Do a 24-48 hour Borax cleaning of everything. Add about 2-3 TBS Borax and water to the bottom of rocks.
Inspect each rock. Save those that are not ready to move on. Place in bag of water. Those I want to move on which have crystals, I use a toothbrish to remove any remaining grit.
120/220 SIC Stage.
Use ceramics/pea gravel specific for this stage. Add the 4 TBS slurry, 2 TB new grit. Fill with water just to below rock level.
Run 1-2 weeks.
Cleaning
Do a 24-48 hour Borax cleaning of everything. Add about 2-3 TBS Borax and water to the bottom of rocks.
Inspect each rock. Save those that are not ready to move on. Place in bag of water. Those I want to move on which have crystals, I use a toothbrush to remove any remaining grit.
400 or 600 SIC Stage
More ceramics/pea gravel, stage specific. More slurry, grit and water.
Let run 1-2 weeks.
Cleaning
Do a 24-48 hour Borax cleaning of everything. Add about 2-3 TBS Borax and water to the bottom of rocks.
Inspect each rock. Save those that are not ready to move on. Place in bag of water. Those I want to move on which have crystals, I use a toothbrush to remove any remaining grit.
1200 AO Polish Stage
Stage specific or new rock tumbling pellets and/or some stage specific pre tumbled pea gravel.
4-6 TBS slurry, 1 TBS new pre-polish. Fill with water to just below rocks.
Let run 1-2 weeks.
Cleaning
Do a 24-48 hour Borax cleaning of everything. Add about 2-3 TBS Borax and water to the bottom of rocks.
Inspect each rock. Save those that are not ready to move on. Place in bag of water. Those I want to move on which have crystals, I use a toothbrush to remove any remaining grit.
14,000 AO Polish Stage
Stage specific or new rock tumbling pellets and/or some stage specific pre tumbled pea gravel.
4-6 TBS slurry, 1 TBS new polish. Fill with water to just below rocks.
Let run 1-2 weeks.
Cleaning
Do a 24-48 hour Borax cleaning of everything. Add about 2-3 TBS Borax and water to the bottom of rocks.
Inspect each rock. Save those that need to run again. Place in bag of water.
The harder rocks are pet wood, fossils, jasper and LSA's. Do some pre-shaping with Dremle on some.
Process is a little different for softer rocks. Less time in Stages 1-2. If undercutting is a concern, then less time in stages 4-5.
Just have a feeling I am missing something here. I do completely wash everything under high pressure between each stage, cleaning and after cleaning. Never let anything dry out.
Thanks.
The usual process for hard rocks/cab preforms:
80 SIC Stage
Mix different sizes of rocks/preforms. Add pre-polished, 1/2" triangle ceramic media and/or pre-polished 7 to 7.5 mohs pea gravel.
Add about 4 TBS saved slurry. Add 2 TB new grit. Fill with water to just below the rocks
Let run for up to 3 weeks.
Cleaning
Do a 24-48 hour Borax cleaning of everything. Add about 2-3 TBS Borax and water to the bottom of rocks.
Inspect each rock. Save those that are not ready to move on. Place in bag of water. Those I want to move on which have crystals, I use a toothbrish to remove any remaining grit.
120/220 SIC Stage.
Use ceramics/pea gravel specific for this stage. Add the 4 TBS slurry, 2 TB new grit. Fill with water just to below rock level.
Run 1-2 weeks.
Cleaning
Do a 24-48 hour Borax cleaning of everything. Add about 2-3 TBS Borax and water to the bottom of rocks.
Inspect each rock. Save those that are not ready to move on. Place in bag of water. Those I want to move on which have crystals, I use a toothbrush to remove any remaining grit.
400 or 600 SIC Stage
More ceramics/pea gravel, stage specific. More slurry, grit and water.
Let run 1-2 weeks.
Cleaning
Do a 24-48 hour Borax cleaning of everything. Add about 2-3 TBS Borax and water to the bottom of rocks.
Inspect each rock. Save those that are not ready to move on. Place in bag of water. Those I want to move on which have crystals, I use a toothbrush to remove any remaining grit.
1200 AO Polish Stage
Stage specific or new rock tumbling pellets and/or some stage specific pre tumbled pea gravel.
4-6 TBS slurry, 1 TBS new pre-polish. Fill with water to just below rocks.
Let run 1-2 weeks.
Cleaning
Do a 24-48 hour Borax cleaning of everything. Add about 2-3 TBS Borax and water to the bottom of rocks.
Inspect each rock. Save those that are not ready to move on. Place in bag of water. Those I want to move on which have crystals, I use a toothbrush to remove any remaining grit.
14,000 AO Polish Stage
Stage specific or new rock tumbling pellets and/or some stage specific pre tumbled pea gravel.
4-6 TBS slurry, 1 TBS new polish. Fill with water to just below rocks.
Let run 1-2 weeks.
Cleaning
Do a 24-48 hour Borax cleaning of everything. Add about 2-3 TBS Borax and water to the bottom of rocks.
Inspect each rock. Save those that need to run again. Place in bag of water.
The harder rocks are pet wood, fossils, jasper and LSA's. Do some pre-shaping with Dremle on some.
Process is a little different for softer rocks. Less time in Stages 1-2. If undercutting is a concern, then less time in stages 4-5.
Just have a feeling I am missing something here. I do completely wash everything under high pressure between each stage, cleaning and after cleaning. Never let anything dry out.
Thanks.