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Post by perkins17 on Aug 20, 2021 15:52:58 GMT -5
I have been using Ivory soap flakes shaved for all burnishing stages and heard borax also works. I noticed borax is cheaper so I was wondering, is borax a better option? Thanks in advance!
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Post by HankRocks on Aug 20, 2021 16:17:41 GMT -5
Use both together.
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dehinrichs
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2013
Posts: 5
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Post by dehinrichs on Aug 21, 2021 17:26:15 GMT -5
I have always just used Borax and it works really well.
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 22, 2021 9:20:43 GMT -5
We use borax, never used ivory so can't compare. I put a few drops of Dawn in the grit stages as well, they clean out faster.
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Post by fernwood on Aug 22, 2021 9:37:32 GMT -5
I have only used Borax and it works great. I am allergic to Ivory soap.
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Post by mohs on Aug 22, 2021 10:11:47 GMT -5
Once carved a block of Ivory Into a book that was to represent The Bible Went so far to have the Pope bless it True tale -except it was remohs who did the carving Wouldn’t be right for mohs to fib Guaranteed to wash away the sins of the world Stronger than dirt also
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Post by fernwood on Aug 22, 2021 10:22:58 GMT -5
I don't know why, but both my daughter and I are allergic to it. We never used Ivory soap when I was a child. In Elementary art class we had to carve soap. The teacher had all colors of soap. It was Winter, so I chose a white bar of Ivory and did a snowflake. Well, almost did one. My hands broke out so bad. After my daughter was born, they used Ivory products in the hospital. She developed the same type of rash.
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 22, 2021 11:03:04 GMT -5
It looks like I will continue to use Ivory. I'm sorry to hear that you are allergic to it fernwood. Thank you all for the replies.
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Post by mohs on Aug 22, 2021 11:36:51 GMT -5
would soap a grinding wheel in the saw shop It had the effect of cutting smoother, less loading, and creating less heat on tiny HSS teeth at least that what we believed...
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terryjh
starting to shine!
Member since July 2021
Posts: 46
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Post by terryjh on Aug 23, 2021 22:20:59 GMT -5
I'll be trying Borax very soon for the first time. May someone using a Vibe describe their exact process for a Borax wash when going from AO 500 to polish please? My UV 10 is running with about 8 lbs of material in it. Do I use a heaping tablespoon of Borax? How much water? Do I spritz until all is wet and run it or fill the barrel with quite a bit of water like a bathtub? I'm sorry if this is described somewhere else but I've looked at past posts and don't see the clarification I'm looking for. Thanks.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Aug 24, 2021 12:22:36 GMT -5
I use Ivory, I garden in my yard and borax kills plants, so I play it safe...
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JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 751
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Post by JR8675309 on Aug 24, 2021 21:52:10 GMT -5
I use borax in my UV-10. Easy clean and makes it quieter.
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Prov
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2020
Posts: 116
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Post by Prov on Aug 25, 2021 14:50:57 GMT -5
Everyone runs their stuff a bit different, so take what you hear from me with a grain of salt. I used borax for some good initial tumbles but later switches to sugar which has done me better.
I use a Lot O tumbler, so my process may be different if you're using a Thumlers or something.
I would fill my barrel with rocks, then water, then pour out the water with my hand covering the opening until it was only dripping water. Then I put in the grit/polish, and added a tablespoon or so of borax (You don't have to be super exact, experiment with amounts until you find what works for you across a series of tumbles).
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electrocutus
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2020
Posts: 331
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Post by electrocutus on Aug 25, 2021 16:16:47 GMT -5
I haven't experimented a whole lot, but I use Borax and it works quite well. However, it's supposed to be quite toxic to plants, so I'm thinking switching to Ivory might be better. I've started trying Ivory for a few batches and will decide soon.
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 25, 2021 16:22:18 GMT -5
Everyone runs their stuff a bit different, so take what you hear from me with a grain of salt. I used borax for some good initial tumbles but later switches to sugar which has done me better. I use a Lot O tumbler, so my process may be different if you're using a Thumlers or something. I would fill my barrel with rocks, then water, then pour out the water with my hand covering the opening until it was only dripping water. Then I put in the grit/polish, and added a tablespoon or so of borax (You don't have to be super exact, experiment with amounts until you find what works for you across a series of tumbles). Thanks! I use the mini sonic so fairly similar to the loto. I might try some borax. I wil need to adjust my cleaning system then because I basically dump my slurry on bushes.
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fishnpinball
Cave Dweller
So much to learn, so little time
Member since March 2017
Posts: 1,491
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Post by fishnpinball on Aug 25, 2021 18:28:41 GMT -5
I haven't experimented a whole lot, but I use Borax and it works quite well. However, it's supposed to be quite toxic to plants, so I'm thinking switching to Ivory might be better. I've started trying Ivory for a few batches and will decide soon. I use both, the ivory in the final burnish
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Aug 25, 2021 23:46:07 GMT -5
I use cheap powdered laundry soap, has worked well for me for 20+ years in rotary tumblers.
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Aug 26, 2021 10:41:34 GMT -5
Everyone runs their stuff a bit different, so take what you hear from me with a grain of salt. I used borax for some good initial tumbles but later switches to sugar which has done me better. I use a Lot O tumbler, so my process may be different if you're using a Thumlers or something. I would fill my barrel with rocks, then water, then pour out the water with my hand covering the opening until it was only dripping water. Then I put in the grit/polish, and added a tablespoon or so of borax (You don't have to be super exact, experiment with amounts until you find what works for you across a series of tumbles). Thanks! I use the mini sonic so fairly similar to the loto. I might try some borax. I wil need to adjust my cleaning system then because I basically dump my slurry on bushes. A Minic Sonic is "fairly similar" to a Lot-O........? Just because it vibrates makes it similar......? I'm sorry, but I believe even that is where they are not even remotely similar........lol...... As far as using "additives".........what are you trying to accomplish, the end result......?....cleaning, slurry thickening, burnishing.....? What stages of the process are you considering, rough grinding, pre-polish, polish......? What grade of compound do you intend to apply the "additive", 120/220, 400, 600, 800, 1200....What type of compound, silicon carbide, alumina oxide, cerium oxide, tin oxide......are you using an additional media like ceramics, plastic pellets, pea gravel........and finally, what type of stone are you processing, agates, jasper, fossil, quartz, obsidian, glass......... at some level, ALL OF THIS APPLIES to the results one is trying to achieve.....! My "additive" recommendations......... experiment with all of the previous suggestions, you'll learn more what works best FOR YOU with/by hands-on application....All of the suggested liquid and dry detergents, salt, sugar, work.........given the proper level of sophistication and experience. Seldom if ever, do any two folks get the same results. By trying the different suggested methods, you'll save a little time narrowing down what has been proven.......but, YOUR own personal application will prove out what's best for you in the long run.......The only true short-cuts in this hobby are those you personally learn from hands-on application......! This.....Just based on my own personal experiences, applications, and the great knowledge of personal friends and suggestions gained by being a member here at RTH........and I don't use a Mini Sonic or rough rotary tumble anything anymore, after more than 3yrs of trying damn near every suggested application......looking for that secret short-cut to success.........lol
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 26, 2021 10:45:15 GMT -5
pizzano, I think it is similar because it is 4 lbs capacity while the loto is 4.5? They also have a sort of similar barrel shape. Thanks for the info! Right now I do 60/90 220 600 ao then ao polish. I think I will keep using Ivory and maybe eventually try borax.
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 26, 2021 10:46:22 GMT -5
I don't use anyt slurry thickness and just want to clean at the end. I do use ceramics as well
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