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Post by fernwood on May 27, 2019 6:15:20 GMT -5
So, horror of horrors, I am tumbling some Quartz Points, some with phantom features, in the rotary. First batch turned out great. They were only broken points, I used as a trial run.
I ran the next batch, which has some well defined points, in 120/220 SIC for 5 days. 50% points, 50% small ceramic media that had been through final polish at least 12 times. Some of the rough edges were smoothed on the points. All of the other features remained intact. Crisp edges and points.
Was planning on doing next step in 600. I have both SIC and AO. Which should I use? Am leaning towards the AO, as I think it will act more as a pre-pre-polish.
Next steps planned are 1200 AO pre-polish and either AO 12,000 or Rapid Polish. Those batches will contain about 50%, stage exclusive, tumbling pellets and micro pea gravel. Both the pellets and pea gravel have been through those stages at least 8 times in the past.
Any advice appreciated. Thanks.
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Post by grumpybill on May 27, 2019 6:32:04 GMT -5
I use AO500 and SiC600 interchangeably in a vibe and don't notice any difference other than the SiC slurry gets thicker quicker...which probably means it's cutting a bit more.
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Post by HankRocks on May 27, 2019 6:42:37 GMT -5
I use the AO for my pre-polish as that's my process. Crystal Quartz will grind a lot faster than agate due to it's molecular structure which makes it easy to cut or drill so the SiC should grind it down a bit more. Sounds like you have the right mixture of media to help prevent frosting on edges. I still have issues tumbling pieces larger than 2 inches as the frosting seems to occur.
Do I understand that you are tumbling crystals with good points?
Henry
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Post by fernwood on May 27, 2019 9:00:34 GMT -5
Yes, some good points. Largest piece is about 2.25".
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Post by greig on May 27, 2019 9:39:56 GMT -5
I tried tumbling some frosted quartz points in a rotary and did not get good results. I only did this once and want to try another time. In hindsight, I suspect my problem was not the grit, but too much quartz. Next time, I will put in much less quartz and more tumbler media.
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Post by fernwood on May 27, 2019 9:45:04 GMT -5
Know that some wonder why anyone would polish media. Sometimes, it is best to polish half rocks and half media.
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Post by HankRocks on May 27, 2019 10:14:44 GMT -5
Yes, some good points. Largest piece is about 2.25". Don't take this wrong, Why are you polishing quartz crystal with good points(terminations)? Is it clear or milky Quartz? I tumble a good bit of Quartz, almost all clear but with broken terminations. All of the points with un-damaged terminations get sold as is or with a cut off base to stand up.
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Post by Rockindad on May 27, 2019 10:34:56 GMT -5
We use both 500SiC and 500AO. Under observation with a loupe the scratches left behind from the 500SiC are a bit more pronounced than the 500AO so we use them a bit differently. Agree with grumpybill as our slurry from the 500SiC is always thicker than the 500AO. On a lot of stuff we go from 500AO to polish. When going for the best results possible we use 500SiC followed by 1000AO before polish. While the difference in the final product is not huge, it is noticeable. Al
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Post by greig on May 27, 2019 15:51:04 GMT -5
We use both 500SiC and 500AO. Under observation with a loupe the scratches left behind from the 500SiC are a bit more pronounced than the 500AO so we use them a bit differently. Agree with grumpybill as our slurry from the 500SiC is always thicker than the 500AO. On a lot of stuff we go from 500AO to polish. When going for the best results possible we use 500SiC followed by 1000AO before polish. While the difference in the final product is not huge, it is noticeable. Al My stage 4 is usually 1200 or 1500 AO. At least, I think that is the grit. For a finer polish, I like cerium oxide, but don't use it often because I don't know where to find it in Canada and it is more expensive. I have also played with other polish such as red rouge (on metals, not rocks). I am not sure yet if I notice a big difference after using stage 4 AO.
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Post by fernwood on May 27, 2019 19:45:38 GMT -5
Yes, some good points. Largest piece is about 2.25". Don't take this wrong, Why are you polishing quartz crystal with good points(terminations)? Is it clear or milky Quartz? I tumble a good bit of Quartz, almost all clear but with broken terminations. All of the points with un-damaged terminations get sold as is or with a cut off base to stand up. Mostly clear, with some inclusions/phantom effects. I was given a bunch to try tumbling. Sorted everything based on broken points, good points, multiple points and clusters. Am not tumbling the best points, multiple points or clusters. Will be giving 1/2 back to the person who gave them to me. A very good question you asked.
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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 May 31, 2019 7:50:34 GMT -5
It seems to me that five days in stage 2 is too long. I would limit it to 2 to 3 days, checking a couple of time a day to see how they are doing. Stage 3 could be either the SIC or AO, just limit the amount of days and check them frequently to see if they are ready to move on to the stage 4 and final polish. I would be careful about trying to burnish them as they might chip, which quartz likes to do in a tumbler.
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Post by fernwood on May 31, 2019 8:35:29 GMT -5
All is well for now. Been checking about every other day. They are in AO 1200 now.
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