|
Post by rockjunquie on May 24, 2019 17:03:21 GMT -5
Ok guys, I cut a bunch of preforms today. I took it to 220 to get all the bad scratches out. But, there are some chips to both the fronts and backs of most of the preforms (cutting harder materials). Will those smooth out in the lot-o, or do I need a bevel on both sides?
|
|
|
Post by Drummond Island Rocks on May 24, 2019 17:45:52 GMT -5
Hard to say for sure depending on the chips and hardness of the rocks but for what you are doing adding the bevel might look good anyway. Here's a picture of what I do for all of my tumbled magnets. These are just cabbing scraps that I cut into shapes then bevel the edges before going into the lot-o. For magnets I just grind the girdle and bevel on the 80 wheel and the loto always cleans them up just fine. Chuck
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on May 24, 2019 21:22:46 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Drummond Island Rocks on May 24, 2019 21:54:52 GMT -5
It will take a little trial and error for you to trust what can be done and understand what can't be done. It would not hurt to toss in a few sacrificial agate shapes that have the edges ground in a variety of ways that way when they are done you will know what worked best for your liking. All of my magnets are made from parts of slabs that are good material but not good enough quality for jewelry. I literally have a never ending supply that fit that description. When I tumble a group of cabs I do not just add them all when I start up the lot-o. I group them by how much I want the first stage to round the edges. For my agate and jasper groove wraps I cut the groove first and those go in right at the start. I want all the edges including the groove edges to be rounded a bit. My domed cabochons have already been worked on the genie to 280 soft and I do not want the edges rounded so I wait until the 120/220 has been running about 8-10 hours then add them in. That way the grit has already broke down some and wont overly round the girdle. chuck
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on May 24, 2019 22:00:40 GMT -5
It will take a little trial and error for you to trust what can be done and understand what can't be done. It would not hurt to toss in a few sacrificial agate shapes that have the edges ground in a variety of ways that way when they are done you will know what worked best for your liking. All of my magnets are made from parts of slabs that are good material but not good enough quality for jewelry. I literally have a never ending supply that fit that description. When I tumble a group of cabs I do not just add them all when I start up the lot-o. I group them by how much I want the first stage to round the edges. For my agate and jasper groove wraps I cut the groove first and those go in right at the start. I want all the edges including the groove edges to be rounded a bit. My domed cabochons have already been worked on the genie to 280 soft and I do not want the edges rounded so I wait until the 120/220 has been running about 8-10 hours then add them in. That way the grit has already broke down some and wont overly round the girdle. chuck That makes sense. I'm sure I'll be doing a lot of trial and error. I think I'll be needing a notebook.
|
|
peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
|
Post by peachfront on May 24, 2019 22:12:58 GMT -5
Ok guys, I cut a bunch of preforms today. I took it to 220 to get all the bad scratches out. But, there are some chips to both the fronts and backs of most of the preforms (cutting harder materials). Will those smooth out in the lot-o, or do I need a bevel on both sides? Been a long time since I had a Lot O but I would bevel... those first pix by Chuck show what I used to try to do...
|
|