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Post by cabby on Sept 18, 2024 10:31:39 GMT -5
It has become obvious that I have been far too impatient with the oil removing for my slabs! Would love to hear what process others have, including amount of time at each step. Guessing I need to leave the slabs in the clay longer.
If anyone has used a dishwasher would like to know how that works as well! Our new dishwasher will be delivered in a month or so, and could shove the old one in the garage instead of having it hauled away (still “works” but is terrible compared to the Bosch I bought for our last house).
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Post by vegasjames on Sept 18, 2024 11:34:39 GMT -5
I put in clay kitty litter and keep scraping off the oily litter, then move around in the more to expose to more dry litter. When it looks like most the oil is off, I rinse in water with Dawn soap, then a clean water rinse.
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Post by cabby on Sept 18, 2024 11:48:14 GMT -5
I put in clay kitty litter and keep scraping off the oily litter, then move around in the more to expose to more dry litter. When it looks like most the oil is off, I rinse in water with Dawn soap, then a clean water rinse. How long do you leave it in the litter? Overnight in oil dri followed by 24 hrs soaking/swishing in soapy water, then soaking in clean water still has oil coming up in the last step. The slabs I’ve been working with so far have been a combo of more porous material or things with druzy vugs. Was scared to get clay dust stuck in the vugs so skipped the clay for those and did my best to hand wash before the tubs. |
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Post by vegasjames on Sept 18, 2024 12:07:15 GMT -5
I put in clay kitty litter and keep scraping off the oily litter, then move around in the more to expose to more dry litter. When it looks like most the oil is off, I rinse in water with Dawn soap, then a clean water rinse. How long do you leave it in the litter? Overnight in oil dri followed by 24 hrs soaking/swishing in soapy water, then soaking in clean water still has oil coming up in the last step. The slabs I’ve been working with so far have been a combo of more porous material or things with druzy vugs. Was scared to get clay dust stuck in the vugs so skipped the clay for those and did my best to hand wash before the tubs. Kitty liter just a couple of minutes at the most. I keep scraping off the oily litter and keep moving the slabs through clean litter to absorb any remaining oil. If there are pits or cracks, may need to use a brush to get the oily litter out. If the slabs just sit there in the litter, it will take a long time for all the oil to get absorbed.
Clay in the pits will be a pain to get out, but if tumbling scraps, I would just tumble them for a while in water with soap to wash the clay out of the pits.
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Post by cabby on Sept 18, 2024 12:11:50 GMT -5
Well, shucks. I thought I was being too impatient with my initial rubbing it around a lot and then calling it good enough so was trying to force myself to leave it at LEAST overnight… in general how long does it take you from fresh off the saw to ready to cab/sell?
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Post by Rockoonz on Sept 18, 2024 12:35:11 GMT -5
I recently heard, was it here (?), that buying actual floor dry for auto shops gets the oil off better, I intend to test that once the current litter is gone.
After litter for at least a day, I move to a bucket with about 2 gallons of water and about 2 capfuls of ZEP purple degreaser or Castrol royal purple, also for at least a day. After that most of them go to a bucket of water or just get rinsed, some white and very light colored stuff that can be discolored by the oil will get an extra step of a little bleach in water.
No matter what I do to degrease, if I am dopping the rock to cut a cab it still gets another cleaning with alcohol or acetone on a paper towel.
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Post by vegasjames on Sept 18, 2024 12:36:23 GMT -5
Well, shucks. I thought I was being too impatient with my initial rubbing it around a lot and then calling it good enough so was trying to force myself to leave it at LEAST overnight… in general how long does it take you from fresh off the saw to ready to cab/sell? Really no time frame.
I cut a lot of my stones down at the club shop, except softer stones I cut at home with water saws.
Then I set the slabs aside for a while until I decide what I want to do with them (cabs or knife scales). Then I have to cut them on a trim saw either at home or at the shop. Like the slabs though, I cut a bunch of preforms all at once. Then they get set aside until I decide to cab them, which I do a bunch on the first 3 wheels, then move everything over to the last 3 wheels. So, I never paid attention to the time needed.
I don't sell my cabs. I cab for relaxation. I did trade off about 170 cabs one year to get some wire wrapped for Christmas presents.
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Post by cabby on Sept 18, 2024 13:08:24 GMT -5
Rockoonz the auto stuff was the same price as kitty litter at my local tractor supply, so that’s what I’ve been using (my kitty doesn’t like clay so don’t buy it). I’ve been trying basically what you described but noticed that I can still see some oil at the end. I think my issue is that this fullers earth holds its shape well so doesn’t have as much contact with the rocks when leaving it sitting, will have to grind it in more frequently. Haven’t tried using kitty litter for the rocks but my memories of it from past kitties is that it doesn’t hold its shape well when wet or rubbed.
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Post by Rockoonz on Sept 18, 2024 13:21:16 GMT -5
What are you using for oil?
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Post by cabby on Sept 18, 2024 13:35:46 GMT -5
What are you using for oil? Not sure about the brand but the majority is horse laxative mineral oil that was drained before bringing the saw to me, and topped it off with more horse laxative that I bought locally. Have one gallon of horse laxative and 4 gallons of food grade mineral oil waiting for my oil change, so won’t be using anything else for awhile. |
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller 
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,483
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Post by realrockhound on Sept 18, 2024 14:07:34 GMT -5
Put it in kitty litter and forget about it. Got slabs still in Kitty liter barrels I haven’t seen for years.
If I’m in a hurry. Rub it in kitty litter, then scrub with dawn dish soap.
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Post by cabby on Sept 18, 2024 14:16:27 GMT -5
Put it in kitty litter and forget about it. Got slabs still in Kitty liter barrels I haven’t seen for years. If I’m in a hurry. Rub it in kitty litter, then scrub with dawn dish soap. *sighs* I keep seeing dawn… is there really that much of a difference? Is part of my problem due to using Ajax?! |
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,483
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Post by realrockhound on Sept 18, 2024 14:20:03 GMT -5
Put it in kitty litter and forget about it. Got slabs still in Kitty liter barrels I haven’t seen for years. If I’m in a hurry. Rub it in kitty litter, then scrub with dawn dish soap. *sighs* I keep seeing dawn… is there really that much of a difference? Is part of my problem due to using Ajax?! never used it. But if it breaks up oil and grease then it should get the job done |
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Post by cabby on Sept 18, 2024 14:26:30 GMT -5
*sighs* I keep seeing dawn… is there really that much of a difference? Is part of my problem due to using Ajax?! never used it. But if it breaks up oil and grease then it should get the job done Honestly, I have started to wonder how effective it is. I’ve even tried multiple rounds of slathering lots of soap directly on the rock and still have a greasy film after rinsing or soaking. Assumed it was oil that got inside the rock somehow but maybe the cheap soap just isn’t good enough. I very rarely have greasy dishes but definitely need plenty of scrubbing when I do… ugh. So it’s probably the cheap soap! Will grab some dawn next time I am at the store and see if that helps. |
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,483
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Post by realrockhound on Sept 18, 2024 14:29:40 GMT -5
never used it. But if it breaks up oil and grease then it should get the job done Honestly, I have started to wonder how effective it is. I’ve even tried multiple rounds of slathering lots of soap directly on the rock and still have a greasy film after rinsing or soaking. Assumed it was oil that got inside the rock somehow but maybe the cheap soap just isn’t good enough. I very rarely have greasy dishes but definitely need plenty of scrubbing when I do… ugh. So it’s probably the cheap soap! Will grab some dawn next time I am at the store and see if that helps. I use horse laxative in my saws. Give it the kitty litter treatment then scrub with dawn. Honestly though. For best results, just leave in kitty litter for a couple weeks |
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Sept 18, 2024 14:41:35 GMT -5
I guess I've been lucky. Sometimes I don't even put it in the Saf T Sorb. Just wash it off with some warm water and a little Dawn or Dawn Platinum on a brush. Never clean them again before dopping and haven't had an issue.
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Post by cabby on Sept 18, 2024 14:48:59 GMT -5
I’m seriously thinking it might be my soap! I wear gloves when using the saw and don’t touch the slabs til after being in the safe t sorb (the brand I got here), so I don’t get much oil on my skin. but even after double washing my hands I end up with oil streaks on my phone daily. The Ajax has been fine for the dishes but I’m thinking it’s not terribly good vs mineral oil.
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Post by chris1956 on Sept 18, 2024 14:51:56 GMT -5
Put it in kitty litter and forget about it. Got slabs still in Kitty liter barrels I haven’t seen for years. If I’m in a hurry. Rub it in kitty litter, then scrub with dawn dish soap. What you are doing works. I was going to ask you if you cut your slabs in water because they are so clean. |
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Post by cabby on Sept 18, 2024 14:59:08 GMT -5
chris1956 I took some pics yesterday with the intention of asking if the saw marks are too severe, but decided that I will buy a new blade anyway. It’s a lot more noticeable on transparent slabs than opaque ones, but the bowed blade is definitely leaving marks! Just can’t really tell when they are wet, and I often wipe faces with an oily rag when taking pics of rough 😆   btw, has anyone tried liquid Castile soap? Dr bronners strips such a ridiculous amount oil out of my hair and skin that I just can’t use it! Wondering if that would be a good option.
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ThomasT
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2022
Posts: 616
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Post by ThomasT on Sept 18, 2024 15:05:41 GMT -5
Depends a lot on the porosity of the stone type...
Putting the slabs in a 5-gallon bucket in layers with Oil Dri between each layer and leave them for days or weeks... then wash with Dawn and rinse with hot water seems to work without fail...
Recycle the Oil Dri many times.
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