Fresh out of the tumbler!!
Nov 8, 2023 21:07:08 GMT -5
vegasjames, hummingbirdstones, and 7 more like this
Post by lapidary1234 on Nov 8, 2023 21:07:08 GMT -5
Let me preface this by saying I am definitely still learning the ins and outs of tumbling....
I have been running stuff in a rotary for stage 1 (usually about a month, some move on quicker).
Then stage 2- polish in an mt4 vibe. I usually do 220, 500 AO, then 800 AO (recommended by @hefty tyvm), 1000 AO, kingsley micro alumina (8,000-14,000 approx), and finish off with mls rapid polish #61 (.3 micron/80,000).
I am still learning to dial everything in but so far run 220 for 4-5 days, then the rest of the stages 2 days each.
This was a mixed batch on purpose....I wanted to see how it came out all mixed together. It is not professional polish by any means but I am mostly happy with the results!
First up, mix of mostly agates and some jaspers
Next the wisconsin moonstone i find locally
Also had some apache tears...these may go back to 500 and refinish (they aren't as glossy as id like)
I tossed a few pieces of malachite and azurite in as well knowing it is hard to get a gloss finish however I'm happy with how they turned out. Also a piece of sodalite, seraphinite, and some larimar scraps
FI ally some of the Franklin NJ rhodochrosite i bought on ebay...not the best quality but an interesting locale for the mineral
As a final note/question if you're still reading...I really really love the rapid polish #61 from Minnesota lapidary supply, it is affordable, made in house by them and a super fine grit. That being said, I've noticed that after only 4 hours my stones seem polished to a high gloss...if I leave them in for two days they seem duller than after only 4-6 hours. What gives? Does the grit get contaminated somehow or is it likely that it is because I have stones of varying hardness and the softer ones break off microscopic particles that contaminate the polish?
All in all I'm satisfied with the results, only bummer is its about to be winter in wisconsin so no more tumbling until spring!! What do y'all think of my results?
Thanks for reading, Josh
I have been running stuff in a rotary for stage 1 (usually about a month, some move on quicker).
Then stage 2- polish in an mt4 vibe. I usually do 220, 500 AO, then 800 AO (recommended by @hefty tyvm), 1000 AO, kingsley micro alumina (8,000-14,000 approx), and finish off with mls rapid polish #61 (.3 micron/80,000).
I am still learning to dial everything in but so far run 220 for 4-5 days, then the rest of the stages 2 days each.
This was a mixed batch on purpose....I wanted to see how it came out all mixed together. It is not professional polish by any means but I am mostly happy with the results!
First up, mix of mostly agates and some jaspers
Next the wisconsin moonstone i find locally
Also had some apache tears...these may go back to 500 and refinish (they aren't as glossy as id like)
I tossed a few pieces of malachite and azurite in as well knowing it is hard to get a gloss finish however I'm happy with how they turned out. Also a piece of sodalite, seraphinite, and some larimar scraps
FI ally some of the Franklin NJ rhodochrosite i bought on ebay...not the best quality but an interesting locale for the mineral
As a final note/question if you're still reading...I really really love the rapid polish #61 from Minnesota lapidary supply, it is affordable, made in house by them and a super fine grit. That being said, I've noticed that after only 4 hours my stones seem polished to a high gloss...if I leave them in for two days they seem duller than after only 4-6 hours. What gives? Does the grit get contaminated somehow or is it likely that it is because I have stones of varying hardness and the softer ones break off microscopic particles that contaminate the polish?
All in all I'm satisfied with the results, only bummer is its about to be winter in wisconsin so no more tumbling until spring!! What do y'all think of my results?
Thanks for reading, Josh