rockstock
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2019
Posts: 472
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Post by rockstock on Jul 26, 2019 20:53:10 GMT -5
I peeked at it, all solid gray. Didn't notice initially, but after taking the top off the entire bowl was spinning. Had to tighten nut down to get it back to normal motion, if the top and wing nut were preventing that movement?
Don't care if rocks don't turn out, just don't want to break it first go around.
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Post by Rockindad on Jul 26, 2019 21:09:44 GMT -5
Never done Petoskey Stones but know that they are Calcite and very soft. About half of what we tumble is softer (under mohs 6). When running those in the vibe we commonly have 50% ceramics as filler and use an extra thick slurry. It is hard to tell from just a picture but it looks like you have a lot of water in there. I'd keep a close eye on them and do not hesitate to stop if it does not look right. Are you using a UV-10? If so, the way that you have it loaded will probably make for some (too much?) pretty aggressive action.
By the way, there is a fair amount of information on polishing these stones on the forum already. Use the search function and you will find threads from some masters at getting a beautiful shine on these. Good luck!
Al
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rockstock
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2019
Posts: 472
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Post by rockstock on Jul 27, 2019 5:49:12 GMT -5
Thanks, the size type stuff escapes me from the reading I've done but figured I'd try. UV-18
I checked it this morning and it was thick and motionless so I turned it off. Added a little water and a few started moving but not enough.
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rockstock
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2019
Posts: 472
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Post by rockstock on Jul 27, 2019 19:53:34 GMT -5
Getting it going again, had to break up the thick bottom layer and add a little water. They are circling rather than rotating under and falling over each other. The few hours I ran it I think was definitely a difference, could tell from the rough septarian to smoothish. Will probably try a load of small rocks next time to learn it better.
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Post by arghvark on Jul 28, 2019 10:44:42 GMT -5
Second the addition of ceramics when doing softer stuff in vibe. Keeps rocks from banging into each other and the smaller size helps give more even abrasion.
Borax helps a lot as thickener/cushioner. There are quite a few posts talking about its use.
But overall looking great and definitely the right attitude! Explore and have fun!
Argh
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rockstock
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2019
Posts: 472
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Post by rockstock on Jul 28, 2019 10:50:48 GMT -5
I did add some borax, I'll have to toss in some ceramics. What I did, as mentioned earlier was thought I'd maybe have it as too aggressive, that it becomes too thick in the bottom and stops. I'll have to clean out and start over tonight.
Probably only had a few hours really of tumbling. Less than a day for sure. I'll have to get a pic of their progress after cleaning and redoing.
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rockstock
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2019
Posts: 472
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Post by rockstock on Aug 13, 2019 18:07:53 GMT -5
Tried a bunch of smaller stones and a couple medium in UV18 up to polish but not shiny after drying at all, smooth but no shine. Haven't tried burnish yet if that's how you get the shine or you should already have some and just enhance it..
Tried progressing past rough on rotary and think I regressed. Was happy with rough change and think next step made things worse. Petoskeys no longer glass smooth, almost original rough. Carnelian look smooth still but some fracturing and chipping. Feel like back to square one and weeks of attempting have gone backwards. Blah!
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Aug 13, 2019 19:00:23 GMT -5
There's certainly a method to the madness....you've, apparently, experienced (what I used to call) the 3rd stage vibe blues.........success through the course rotary stage....... finished, what I thought was a good 120/220 vibe 2nd stage and then WTF........lol
Your'e 1st choice of material was tough to begin with (even if naturally shaped by Father time elements)........but you got lucky and had nice results, other than those you now are dealing with....!
Now......your'e on the right thought process........mixing media, size and increasing time and application methods to narrow down the finer results....!
Vibe application is more of an art rather than a science........no two types of material or slurry development will be identical........sometimes we have to lower the bar of expectation, re-trace our previous foot prints, and continue to refine our methods just to get past that (is it ready for polish) mentality........The Stone will tell you when It's ready.........just got to recognize what the Stone is telling you.....lol
Your'e doing fine.......!
Note....:
Burnishing will not increase shine, only refine and clean those that have a decent gloss to begin with......!
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julies
starting to shine!
wishing everyone here a very happy and healthy 2020!
Member since July 2019
Posts: 26
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Post by julies on Aug 15, 2019 20:49:00 GMT -5
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing
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