ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Sept 23, 2022 11:07:01 GMT -5
Does anyone skip the polishing stage? I've noticed that recently my rocks coming out of Stage 3 are just as shiny as the rocks that have gone through all 4 stages. The only thing I know that I've changed recently is cleaning the rocks in an ultrasonic cleaner in between stages, but maybe it's been going on longer than that. I usually check one of my rocksafter Stage 3 drying it off, to see how they are progressing. But I may have missed some batches.
Here is my usual process: Stage 1 in rotary using a combo of SiC 60/90 and 46/70, Then to the Lot-O: Stage 2: 2 tablespoons SiC 120/220 for 2 days Stage 3: 1/2 tsp AlOx 500 for 3 days Stage 4: 1/2 tsp AlOx Polish from the Rock Shed
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jimaz
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2018
Posts: 461
Member is Online
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Post by jimaz on Sept 23, 2022 11:32:27 GMT -5
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2022 12:55:39 GMT -5
You probably could extend the 500 AO out a day or so and skip the polish.
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markb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2022
Posts: 472
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Post by markb on Sept 23, 2022 13:58:53 GMT -5
The best way to figure out what works best for you is to try it both ways, compare the results, and then share it with others on this site. I say this because every tumble that is done is subjective to the rocks that go in, the exact amount of grit and water used, the number of hours run, some say the humidity and or temperature may also play a factor of where the tumbler is placed, etc. My point is, no two tumbles are the same, nor can they be. Thus they only way to know, is to try both ways.
Good luck and have fun!
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Post by broseph82 on Sept 23, 2022 14:27:30 GMT -5
You probably could extend the 500 AO out a day or so and skip the polish. Exactly this! You can go 5 days in 500g and totally skip the polish powder altogether. It'll work work obsidian and agates/Quartz. Will def have a wet look to them.
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ingawh
starting to spend too much on rocks
The rock wants to shine, I just help it get there
Member since February 2011
Posts: 194
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Post by ingawh on Sept 23, 2022 16:47:07 GMT -5
Thanks for remembering me . I definitely skip the polish stage for most loads in the Lot-O-Tumbler. If you're doing obsidian, though, make sure you have at least 50% highly polished 7-mohs smalls in with it, or the grit doesn't break down well into a polish. Depending on the load and the hardness, 24 - 48 hours is usually sufficient for a 500 grit to have broken down and done the polishing as well. I'd love to see photos! Best wishes, Inga
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Post by broseph82 on Sept 23, 2022 18:31:40 GMT -5
Thanks for remembering me . I definitely skip the polish stage for most loads in the Lot-O-Tumbler. If you're doing obsidian, though, make sure you have at least 50% highly polished 7-mohs smalls in with it, or the grit doesn't break down well into a polish. Depending on the load and the hardness, 24 - 48 hours is usually sufficient for a 500 grit to have broken down and done the polishing as well. I'd love to see photos! Best wishes, Inga Use less grit and more ceramics. Doesn't need to be smalls
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Sept 23, 2022 19:24:03 GMT -5
Wow - this is great news for me. Thanks, everyone for your responses. I have a problem sometimes with the polish in Stage 4 embedding in cracks and crevices of my "perfectly imperfact" rocks. For some reason, this doesn't happen with the AlOx 500. It doesn't make sense, I know. Even with the rocks that I think are perfectly smooth, the black rocks look a bit grey after the polish stage. So, polish has been the thorn in the rose for me. Hopefully now I can try skipping it more often!
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ingawh
starting to spend too much on rocks
The rock wants to shine, I just help it get there
Member since February 2011
Posts: 194
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Post by ingawh on Sept 23, 2022 20:00:35 GMT -5
Thanks for remembering me . I definitely skip the polish stage for most loads in the Lot-O-Tumbler. If you're doing obsidian, though, make sure you have at least 50% highly polished 7-mohs smalls in with it, or the grit doesn't break down well into a polish. Depending on the load and the hardness, 24 - 48 hours is usually sufficient for a 500 grit to have broken down and done the polishing as well. I'd love to see photos! Best wishes, Inga Use less grit and more ceramics. Doesn't need to be smalls Ahh - to each his own. I agree on less grit than the instructions call for - I only use a 1/4 tsp of AO 500 on my second (and final) step in the Lot-O, but I don't care for ceramics as much as the quartz/agate aquarium gravel that gives me my smalls. It feels like I get a deeper shine with them (and I just like them!) but sure, ceramics work too.
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Sept 23, 2022 20:03:02 GMT -5
Use less grit and more ceramics. Doesn't need to be smalls Ahh - to each his own. I agree on less grit than the instructions call for - I only use a 1/4 tsp of AO 500 on my second (and final) step in the Lot-O, but I don't care for ceramics as much as the quartz/agate aquarium gravel that gives me my smalls. It feels like I get a deeper shine with them (and I just like them!) but sure, ceramics work too. Ooh, I'd like to try the agate/quartz gravel - where do you buy it?
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ingawh
starting to spend too much on rocks
The rock wants to shine, I just help it get there
Member since February 2011
Posts: 194
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Post by ingawh on Sept 23, 2022 20:09:44 GMT -5
Wow - this is great news for me. Thanks, everyone for your responses. I have a problem sometimes with the polish in Stage 4 embedding in cracks and crevices of my "perfectly imperfact" rocks. For some reason, this doesn't happen with the AlOx 500. It doesn't make sense, I know. Even with the rocks that I think are perfectly smooth, the black rocks look a bit grey after the polish stage. So, polish has been the thorn in the rose for me. Hopefully now I can try skipping it more often! Are you using a thickener? Sorry if you mentioned it and I missed it. I use psyllium fiber (Metamucil). It has the added benefit of creating a slightly doughy gel that takes the grit away with it, rather than leaving it in the cracks and pits. (Picture how bread dough sticks together when you knead it. Obviously a slurry isn't THAT thick, but you get the idea....) I've found that adding a 1/4 tsp. psyllium really helps to not just cushion the load, but makes cleanup easier - the grit rinses away with it better than with anything else I've tried, seen, or heard of.
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ingawh
starting to spend too much on rocks
The rock wants to shine, I just help it get there
Member since February 2011
Posts: 194
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Post by ingawh on Sept 23, 2022 20:16:18 GMT -5
Ahh - to each his own. I agree on less grit than the instructions call for - I only use a 1/4 tsp of AO 500 on my second (and final) step in the Lot-O, but I don't care for ceramics as much as the quartz/agate aquarium gravel that gives me my smalls. It feels like I get a deeper shine with them (and I just like them!) but sure, ceramics work too. Ooh, I'd like to try the agate/quartz gravel - where do you buy it? Petco or Petsmart carry it. Look for the bags of large-sized, rounded gravel. You can presort, or just dump some in with your next coarse grind and sort it later to pick the nice rounded ones that would help in your polish load. Some of what's in there will be junk, but a lot of it that's not already round and pretty will soon shape up while cushioning your coarse grinds, and eventually be ready for a polish. I'll see if I can follow up with a photo. (And apologies in advance to my pals on this board who may be tired of my photos...)
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ingawh
starting to spend too much on rocks
The rock wants to shine, I just help it get there
Member since February 2011
Posts: 194
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Post by ingawh on Sept 23, 2022 20:39:24 GMT -5
Here is a pic from one of my early successes getting obsidian to shine. On the right is the aquarium gravel. (This gravel had been through a few course grinds and had already been polished in a 7 mohs batch, then sorted to get the best stuff to run with obsidian.) You are looking at the actual full load of what came out of my Lot-O, using just two steps - a rotary coarse grind to get the shaping, then the second (and final, step) in the Lot-O using 1/4 tsp. of AO 500, a 1/4 tsp. of Metamucil, liquid hand soap, and very little water. With obsidian, rather than 24 hours (which is enough for most 7 mohs stuff), it usually takes about 48.
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Post by broseph82 on Sept 23, 2022 21:14:32 GMT -5
Use less grit and more ceramics. Doesn't need to be smalls Ahh - to each his own. I agree on less grit than the instructions call for - I only use a 1/4 tsp of AO 500 on my second (and final) step in the Lot-O, but I don't care for ceramics as much as the quartz/agate aquarium gravel that gives me my smalls. It feels like I get a deeper shine with them (and I just like them!) but sure, ceramics work too. I've def used small pea Quartz gravel but I've also had the gravel chip during the polishing stage and mess up other stones. I just stick to ceramics now because of it. I don't disagree with the shine you get from them!
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