socalboy
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2023
Posts: 5
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Post by socalboy on May 22, 2024 16:57:44 GMT -5
Just bought a Covington 16 inch Vibrating Lap. I'm a beginner. It's still in shipping so I haven't started yet. I'm polishing thin agate slabs for potential wind chimes. They are maybe 1.5 to 2 inches high and 4 inches or so long. Watching YouTube videos I see people place small weights on top of their slabs to help the slabs stay in contact with the vibrating pan.
Where do you get these weights and how do you attach them to the slabs?? Glue? What kind of glue?
Also, do you ever leave the machines on all night (like rock tumblers) or must they always be watched?
Thanks, Steve M from So Cal
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Post by jasoninsd on May 26, 2024 10:09:58 GMT -5
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Post by HankRocks on May 26, 2024 12:43:34 GMT -5
Just bought a Covington 16 inch Vibrating Lap. I'm a beginner. It's still in shipping so I haven't started yet. I'm polishing thin agate slabs for potential wind chimes. They are maybe 1.5 to 2 inches high and 4 inches or so long. Watching YouTube videos I see people place small weights on top of their slabs to help the slabs stay in contact with the vibrating pan. Where do you get these weights and how do you attach them to the slabs?? Glue? What kind of glue? Also, do you ever leave the machines on all night (like rock tumblers) or must they always be watched? Thanks, Steve M from So Cal Steve, I use round lead disks I got from an old rockhound. You can also use old Bolts and Nuts or any heavy pieces. I attach them with caulk. It usually takes a few days for the caulk to cure. When finished I soak the pieces in water for a day or two to loosen the caulk and then take the weights off. One problem with thinner slabs is that the water and grit slurry can get up on thin slabs and start the loosening process on the caulk. Also getting grit trapped somewhere under the weight. If a piece of 80 grit comes off in the 600 stage you have a problem. Most of the slabs I have polished on the Vibe Lap are cut thicker, say 3/8" to 1/2" as there is a lot less of a problem with water getting to the caulk. I do not run the Vib Lap at night. You really do not want the pan to dry out. I suppose you could set up a slow drip system one they use in the hospitals. There is another solution for polishing slabs, tumble them. That way both sides of the slab and the edges are all done. I have a Model B - 15 pound barrel and it will tumble and polish slabs up to 6 inches. For slabs I use a lot of pea gravel/tram scraps to cushion the slabs. If there are slabs with a fracture or two they can break apart. Here's a few pictures of slabs I have tumbled and polished. They are all in the 3 to 5 inch range. I can get about 20 25 4 to 5inch slabs in a load and maybe 40 to 45 2 to 3 inch size in a load. Henry  IMG_3678 by Findrocks, on Flickr  IMG_5911 by Findrocks, on Flickr  IMG_5904 by Findrocks, on Flickr |
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socalboy
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2023
Posts: 5
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Post by socalboy on May 27, 2024 18:22:46 GMT -5
Great info, thanks so much. Your slabs are fantastic. I'll look into a bigger rock tumbler. Mine are the basic ones, I think 3 or 5 pounds any my slabs are too big. Again, thanks so much.
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 540
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Post by rocknrob on May 27, 2024 19:50:10 GMT -5
While it's not really the topic, the idea of an agate wind chime tickles my DIY bone. Do you need to seal the rocks themselves before putting them on a chime to keep them from chipping/cracking?
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Post by Peruano on May 28, 2024 4:55:24 GMT -5
You dont need to seal as much as place them in an area protected from strong winds -- sort of counterproductive for a wind chime?
My experience is they break in strong winds period. Thicker is heavier so chime less. You can search out the sweet spot but it may take 50 tries.
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 540
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Post by rocknrob on May 28, 2024 10:58:51 GMT -5
You dont need to seal as much as place them in an area protected from strong winds -- sort of counterproductive for a wind chime? My experience is they break in strong winds period. Thicker is heavier so chime less. You can search out the sweet spot but it may take 50 tries. I can imagine playing with harmonics is nearly impossible at best. Any luck using aluminum/copper pipes for the actual chime and an agate slice as the wind catcher? |
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Post by 1dave on Jun 12, 2024 8:07:52 GMT -5
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Even tin cans will do.  |
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Post by roy on Jun 12, 2024 10:06:47 GMT -5
i use old crab pot weights basic just lead for the size your going to do just go to a fishing store and pick up some and use two sided tape
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oldmanemu
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2024
Posts: 1
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Post by oldmanemu on Jul 22, 2024 3:03:42 GMT -5
Ifyou are still looking for a given try silicon let it dry for 2 or3 days
Glue it to some timber 1 ins wider then the slab on the back glue something twice the weight of the stone
,cut some round pvc pipe 1ins larger then the unit so it can move freely on the lap also will not hit side of the machine
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