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Post by stoner on Feb 6, 2006 15:51:45 GMT -5
Hi all. Thought I'd post this to prevent others from making the same mistake. Remember those nice looking poppy jaspers? Well, since I let them run a little extra time in 600 and since they looked so good at that time, I decided to skip the 1000g and go straight to polish. Here's what they look like after 10 days in polish. Too bad, cuz this one is really gonna look nice Oh well, they are going back into 1000g for a week and then I'll polish them again for another week. This was the first time I skipped the 1000g since I started using it and this is the first time I've had such bad results. I even took them out after 7 days in polish, cleaned them up and dumped the polish and started with fresh polish, so I know that's not the problem. Haste makes waste-of time. Ed
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Post by Cher on Feb 6, 2006 16:51:18 GMT -5
Awww Ed I'm so sorry, what a bummer when you've waited so long. Guess it goes back to that darn patience thing, fits right along with haste = waste. Dang, there's some really nice looking stuff in there too, I'll be looking forward to seeing them finished and shining.
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Feb 6, 2006 17:09:32 GMT -5
Ed, Shame on you! Just kidding. I'm sure you won't do that again, and just think, when you take them out again, you'll be pleasantly suprised. Can't wait to see several close-ups of some of those. Steve
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Post by joe on Feb 6, 2006 20:14:36 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that Ed. How long did you run the 600 stage? I've been letting stones run for 15 days in 220 and then skipping a step and going to 1200 grit. I did it once and it worked well.
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Post by stoner on Feb 6, 2006 20:28:02 GMT -5
I usually run my batches for about 7 days in 120/220, 5 days in 400-600, 5 days 1000, then polish. This time I let them run 10 days in 600 and skipped the 1000. And no, I WON'T be doing that again.
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Post by joe on Feb 6, 2006 20:34:04 GMT -5
Dang, I would have thought that would work. Well, maybe try skipping a lower step like I did. But I'll learn your lesson and won't skip my 1200 stage, ever. Thanx Ed.
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Post by Alice on Feb 6, 2006 21:11:09 GMT -5
I thought it would work too.
Well, at least you don't have to go back to grinding them for 4++ weeks in coarse.
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Post by rockds on Feb 6, 2006 23:03:10 GMT -5
that sux, but i'm sure most have screwwed up by trying to rush something, I know i have. Can't wait to see the finished product - hurry up and get 'em done *s*
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Feb 7, 2006 2:05:30 GMT -5
Ed, I'm perplexed. I would have thought your recipe would work fine. I've given up on the 1000 stage lately, and haven't noticed any loss of shine. But those stones in your pic have a matte finish, at best.
I sure hope you get this one sorted out long before the rest of us who are tumbling this poppy jasper get to the fine grind/polish stages. That's a real baffling one -- your recipe looks good to me. I hope the 1000 grit makes a difference for you... keep us posted!
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Post by stoner on Feb 7, 2006 2:12:56 GMT -5
Hey Don. It's the only thing I've done differently. I checked the new polish for small chunks of rock but it's clean. I guess I'll find out soon.
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Post by texasrockhound on Feb 7, 2006 10:52:50 GMT -5
Thanks for the post Stoner - It's good to learn from others mistakes... Dawn
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Post by Alice on Feb 7, 2006 12:21:08 GMT -5
Stoner, I remember a post from a while back saying thay you never burnish your rocks between stages. Maybe this was one of those times where you should have burnished before polish?
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Post by connrock on Feb 7, 2006 15:33:34 GMT -5
Ed, You probably know this but,,,,,,,,
In a rotary tumbler the grit breaks down in 1/2 every 7-10 days.
You let the #600 run for 10 days which means it was just breaking down to between a #1000-#1200.
If you let it run for another week or so you can skip the #1000 and save some money.
I'm pretty sure James wrote something along these lines in the lapidary tips section.
I know quite a few people who just let the tumbler run for months(adding water and maybe a tad of grit as needed) and they swear by it.
I finish in my vibe units so I've never tried it.
connrock
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drupe
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2005
Posts: 1,245
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Post by drupe on Feb 7, 2006 19:53:44 GMT -5
Ed
Lessons learned the hard way are the best teachers. Been there, done that.
Pete
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Post by stoner on Feb 7, 2006 20:38:56 GMT -5
Well, I'm not too worried, it's just that old patience thing. I really want to see these stones polished.
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Feb 19, 2006 2:57:31 GMT -5
Ed, so do we. You must be getting close to finished now, when is picture day?
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Post by stoner on Feb 19, 2006 3:02:24 GMT -5
WELLLL...I had another load in 1000 so I had to wait for them to get out and into polish, which was on Monday. So they will be ready to go back into polish maybe tomorrow, if the other ones are ready to come out of polish. Did ya get that? Okay, easy answer, next Friday.
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Post by sandsman1 on Feb 19, 2006 3:03:42 GMT -5
i say theres a reason for everything --- they just weren't ready to make there day-bu yet haha
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