doorcorocks
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2024
Posts: 19
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Post by doorcorocks on Feb 26, 2024 19:02:07 GMT -5
Update: The grits I ordered from the Rock Shed finally came in today, USPS is not fast it would seem. I ordered : 500 AO, 1000 AO, AO Polish, and Tin Oxide. While I was waiting for the Rock Shed order to arrive, I decided to go back and start over in the mini sonic with the poly plastic stuff I had. 180/220 SC, 500 SC, and 1200 AO. My first go through (which led me to start this thread) didn't really turn any results BUT I did learn a few things. During the first run, the mini sonic did lock up 2-3 times throughout that week from not enough water. It seems that monitoring the slurry is more work than it would seem! I didn't let this happen this round. I also added borax in every stage AND did a borax burnishing stage for 2 hours between every stage. The borax seems to help make a better slurry I think. Same batch of rocks, I know a lot will not tumble well but 5-6 should I would think. I figured as long as I was working on those few rocks, keep the whole batch together. I don't know, I am still learning and know I don't know much. Shine still isn't perfect even on the better ones  I think these ones below here look great, I have no issues with them  Updated Grits/Polishes   This is stuff I have been using that I most likely will not in the future  Should I still be using the 180/220 SC as the first run in the vibratory or can I skip to the 500? I imagine it should go 180/220 SC, 500 AO, 1000 AO, AO Polish, Tin Polish only if needed. I was planning on adding borax in every stage for the vibratory and continuing to do it between very stage. Video of Mini Sonic running with AO PolishThank you for everyone's input |
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Post by chris1956 on Feb 26, 2024 19:38:04 GMT -5
Those still look like hard to polish material. But the two look great. I think your problem is that you are too well organized. Just kidding.  |
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ts
starting to shine!
Member since March 2023
Posts: 36
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Post by ts on Feb 26, 2024 19:44:51 GMT -5
Update: The grits I ordered from the Rock Shed finally came in today, USPS is not fast it would seem. I ordered : 500 AO, 1000 AO, AO Polish, and Tin Oxide. While I was waiting for the Rock Shed order to arrive, I decided to go back and start over in the mini sonic with the poly plastic stuff I had. 180/220 SC, 500 SC, and 1200 AO. My first go through (which led me to start this thread) didn't really turn any results BUT I did learn a few things. During the first run, the mini sonic did lock up 2-3 times throughout that week from not enough water. It seems that monitoring the slurry is more work than it would seem! I didn't let this happen this round. I also added borax in every stage AND did a borax burnishing stage for 2 hours between every stage. The borax seems to help make a better slurry I think. Same batch of rocks, I know a lot will not tumble well but 5-6 should I would think. I figured as long as I was working on those few rocks, keep the whole batch together. I don't know, I am still learning and know I don't know much. Shine still isn't perfect even on the better ones I think these ones below here look great, I have no issues with them Updated Grits/Polishes This is stuff I have been using that I most likely will not in the future Should I still be using the 180/220 SC as the first run in the vibratory or can I skip to the 500? I imagine it should go 180/220 SC, 500 AO, 1000 AO, AO Polish, Tin Polish only if needed. I was planning on adding borax in every stage for the vibratory and continuing to do it between very stage. Video of Mini Sonic running with AO PolishThank you for everyone's input Ive found with the Mini Sonic it's pretty forgiving on putting more water in than less. But it is not so forgiving on over filling or putting too many larger or odd shaped rocks in. So I try to minimize larger rocks and odd shapes and I have a lot less problems with the load locking up. I also use sugar in pre polish and polish stages to help minimize bruising. |
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Post by chris1956 on Feb 26, 2024 19:54:24 GMT -5
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doorcorocks
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2024
Posts: 19
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Post by doorcorocks on Feb 26, 2024 20:08:10 GMT -5
Sugar? I would have never guessed that! Is that to lower the impact when rolling over the top? Ive found with the Mini Sonic it's pretty forgiving on putting more water in than less. But it is not so forgiving on over filling or putting too many larger or odd shaped rocks in. So I try to minimize larger rocks and odd shapes and I have a lot less problems with the load locking up. I also use sugar in pre polish and polish stages to help minimize bruising. |
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Feb 27, 2024 10:29:52 GMT -5
There's nothing wrong with the Polly Plastics stuff. Keep using it. You'll just need a true polish after you make it through their 1200.
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ts
starting to shine!
Member since March 2023
Posts: 36
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Post by ts on Feb 27, 2024 13:46:12 GMT -5
Sugar? I would have never guessed that! Is that to lower the impact when rolling over the top? Ive found with the Mini Sonic it's pretty forgiving on putting more water in than less. But it is not so forgiving on over filling or putting too many larger or odd shaped rocks in. So I try to minimize larger rocks and odd shapes and I have a lot less problems with the load locking up. I also use sugar in pre polish and polish stages to help minimize bruising. Yes I use 3 to 4 Tbs of sugar and a tbs or 2 of Borax. It really holds the rocks together and slows the roll. I was having more trouble with bruising especially with quartz and brecciated jasper getting bruised so first I turned the speed down alot but then it takes alot longer to polish. So I found someone reccomending sugar about a month ago so I started doing it and so far I really like the results. |
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doorcorocks
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2024
Posts: 19
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Post by doorcorocks on Feb 27, 2024 16:39:03 GMT -5
I purchased the AO polish and Tin Polish from the Rock Shed Where did you find your 5th stage polish? So far, in my experience with my MT10, you have to go beyond a 4th stage with a micro-alumina, tin oxide, etc. to get a good shine. I was concerned at first with my tumbles not getting shined at the 4th stage also. I had already read as much, but was hopeful none the less. I've even tumbled rocks in my tumbler like granite that have good shine on them too, overall. I've tumbled softer stones but those were disasters, now I try to make sure I tumble harder stones, that makes a huge difference. My method that I'm experimenting with now is: 2nd 120/220 SC for 2 days, followed by a burnish for 2 hrs. (after each cleanout) 3rd 500 SC for 2 days, then I have some 500 AO that I put them in for another 2 days 4th 1500 AO for 3 days 5th Tin Oxide for 3-4 days So far things are looking promising. Of course I'm learning from mistakes I made/make. Good luck with your Mini-Sonic, I think you'll like it very much.  |
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doorcorocks
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2024
Posts: 19
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Post by doorcorocks on Mar 1, 2024 17:39:51 GMT -5
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