JKowalski33
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 451
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Post by JKowalski33 on Oct 1, 2004 17:39:57 GMT -5
ok, i got some half sphere type geodes off ebay: and i was wondering: without a saw or grinder or buffer or anysort of tool like that, how can i polish the surface of these with the basic grit sizes (60/90, 120/220, 500, tripoli, cerium oxide or titanium dioxide is what i have) i dont have a vibrating lap either which is what someone would usually do i think
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deepsouth
fully equipped rock polisher
He who rocks last rocks best
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,256
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Post by deepsouth on Oct 1, 2004 17:58:16 GMT -5
Hi JK,
all you need is another flat rocky surface . sprinkle some grit on and spray some water and start making circular and backwards and forward motions.
You will notice that when the going gets tough you need some more water, but don't overdo it...the water.
Use a straight edge to check on the level.
Once happy with the surface after 60/90 grit , move to the next stage like in tumbling.
An old hand told me he used a stack of old newspaper to work on as that absorbed the run-off water and grit. that way preventing a mess. Once used paper can be discarded and a fresh start made for the next grit.
I have only just started this way myself and still learning .
Jack
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Post by docone31 on Oct 1, 2004 19:07:38 GMT -5
Way back when, that was how we used to polish mirrors for handmade telescopes. Grit, a template, a shaped ceramic stone, and hours of labour. The old ways have a quality that is hard to match. Glad someone else remembers. A little time consuming however.
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Oct 1, 2004 19:16:00 GMT -5
Very nice geodes.....now I'm gonna get jealous...
Pho
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Post by rockyraccoon on Oct 1, 2004 19:49:01 GMT -5
so jack could he use the 2 geodes he has and rub them together? how long from start to finish does this process take? when you get to the polish stage what do you use?
verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry interesting.
kim
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JKowalski33
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 451
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Post by JKowalski33 on Oct 1, 2004 20:29:04 GMT -5
a flat rocky surface.... like the driveway or something, should i try to find the smoothest surface to work on? my garage is for the most part smooth cement. about the newspapers, do you mean you dump the grit and water on the paper and rub?
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Post by stoner on Oct 3, 2004 1:31:24 GMT -5
Hi all. Jk, I use a piece of 1/4" glass as my flat surface, and sprinkle it with grit and water, then rub the stone in a circular motion. I use a different peice of glass for each grit. It is very labor intensive, but it does work well. You have to make sure to remove ALL the scratches from the previous grit before moving on to the next. If you don't, by the time you get to the polish stage, the scratches you missed will be very obvious and you'll have to go back and try to remove them.
Ed
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MoonStone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 202
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Post by MoonStone on Oct 3, 2004 2:13:19 GMT -5
Nice geodes JK! Very good question, good to know how to do it by hand. Very useful information, thanks!
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Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Banjocreek on Oct 3, 2004 2:56:42 GMT -5
Would a 8"x8"copper plate on a glass surface be useful to try? The copper would keep the grit inbedded in it. Like the 'Lap-Lap'?
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JKowalski33
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 451
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Post by JKowalski33 on Oct 3, 2004 11:27:07 GMT -5
since these were cut by a saw, the surface is already really smooth. i think i could just go right to the 120/220.
wouldn't using glass, something softer than the grit and geodes be a bad idea?
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