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Post by BearCreekLapidary on May 17, 2004 0:40:05 GMT -5
Hello, I am a lapidary and I have been trying to learn a little about tumbling. Most of my lapidary experience has been on a Diamond Pacific Genie and I have approx. 24 years experience with cutting stones. I am just learning about tumbling, as I have a Gy-Roc 10# tumbler. So, I may ask some questions that are really ignorant - please bear with me. I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. If there is anything that I can be of service with please let me know.
A couple of quick questions: I am currently tumbling some stones at 600 grit. Is it best advisable to run them for a week in 1000 grit before the polishing run? They are thin agate slabs and range in size from a dime to a half dollar and all are approx. 1.5 to 2mm thick. I have also acquired a 10# box of unopened Tripoli Polish - How well does this polish work on agates in a tumbler???
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on May 17, 2004 3:20:00 GMT -5
Greatings! And glad to have you on board. 24 years of cutting expertise will definitly be a valuable asset around here.
Pre-polish. I like tripoli for the basics; agate, jasper, moonstone etc... The stones with a hardness between 6-7 on the mohs scale.
For softer stones, I'd recommend using either 500, 600 or tripoli for the pre-polish and then move them to a 5 day 1000 pre-polish. For harder rocks 1000 isn't really necassary. It will give you slighty better results but not a huge difference. The one exception would be for tigers-eye. Use the 1000 grit for stones with a mohs hardness of 5.5 or less.
Hope it helps,
James
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Post by sandsman1 on May 17, 2004 6:03:04 GMT -5
welcome bearcreek ive found around here the only dumb question is the question not asked ---again welcome---seeya---john
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on May 17, 2004 12:06:26 GMT -5
Thanks James and sandsman1 it's good to hear from you!
I am having a diffucult time adjusting to the time difference from cutting stones by hand (where the results are soooo much faster). I have never tried to polish after a 600 grit session on the wheels. I then generally go to a 1200 then a 14000 and on to 50000 if needed for those extra gorgeous stones.
Do you guys ever put a pinch of Linde A into your Cerium Oxide or your Tripoli??? That is a great addition to my regular polishing routine. The Linde A is a .03 micron polish with a hardness of 9 mohs. It is not recommended on soft stones at all ... but the harder stones 7 mohs and harder, you can definitely tell the difference with the polish combination.
I generally use 4 teaspoons of Optical Grade Cerium Oxide and mix approx 1/2 teaspoon of Linde A. Mix until it is a liquid paste and it's ready to use on the polishing wheel. I am going to try it in the tumbler and see how well it works. If it works as well in the tumbler as it does on the polishing wheel - I won't ever try another polish. It has some absolutely gorgeous results that I have found out performs all other polishes - hands down.
I'll check back in later. Have a great day and thanks again for the warm welcome!
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bschultz
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2004
Posts: 234
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Post by bschultz on May 17, 2004 14:12:42 GMT -5
Welcome to the board Bearcreek. I already have a question for you. What is Linde A? I've never heard of it before. Where can you get it? Is it expensive?
Bob
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on May 17, 2004 15:59:27 GMT -5
Hello Bob,
Linde A is a .3 (not .03 - my fault) Micron Precision Polish that I get from the Graves Company from Pompono Beach, FL (1-800-327-9103). When I last purchased it (October of 2002) the price was right at 10.00 per ounce. I currently have approx 1/4 ounce left, so it does last a while. But, you don't use much of it as all when mixing it with other polishes. I have mixed it with, Alumina Oxide, Cerium Oxide, Optical grade Cerium Oxide, Rapid Polish #61, Titanium Oxide, Zircronium Oxide and Holy Cow Polish - all with excellent results. Depending on the stones hardness will determine the amount of Linde "A" I will generally add.
It has the capability to help remove the small scratches during the polishing process on a polishing wheel, with very light pressure. I have taken stones that had a lot of small scratches in them ... added more Linde "A" to the respective polish and have ended up with absolutely gorgeous results. It kees me from going back through the 600, 1200 and 14000 wheels.
I do not use the same measuring spoon for Linde as I have for the other polishes. I don't want any cross contamination to hinder the beautiful results that I am able to achieve with it.
Let me know if there is anything else that I may be of service with. Thanks for the question!
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on May 17, 2004 16:56:57 GMT -5
That's some really interesting information! I've never used linde A because of the price. You seem to know a lot about this topic and I'm sure you're right. Let us know how it works in the tumbler. Thanks for the info!
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Post by cookie3rocks on May 17, 2004 18:55:58 GMT -5
Hey Bearcreek,
Some of us are trying to run corundum (we like to call them saphires and rubys, yuk yuk ) but I think you have given us the magic ingredient. Why does it allways have to cost so much. Not that it matters, we'll buy it. Wer'e obsessed ;D
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on May 18, 2004 7:44:11 GMT -5
Hello cookie3rocks,
I hope that it helps. I know that it has always performed for me on the polishing wheel anyway and it's definitely worth a try.
I generally use one part Linde A to eight parts Optical Grade Cerium Oxide. Running Corundum may require more, it's hard to say. It has been a regular addition to all of my polish for years. If you try it before I get a chance to, please let me know what you think. Have a great day!
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on May 18, 2004 8:56:04 GMT -5
Hello, BearCreek, nice to meetcha and welcome. I can already tell we're gonna learn alot from you!  |
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RiverOtter
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2004
Posts: 339
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Post by RiverOtter on May 18, 2004 11:03:30 GMT -5
Welcome BearCreek!! It's always nice to see a professional taking part in our little forum. Most of us are amateurs taking part with many experimentations with our tumbling. Some with great results others not so great. We have alot of really good information here, and if we find out you do to (which it seems you do) then it will only be a matter of time before we will pick your brain dry of any and all info you have stored up there!! If you come across any really good deals for rough, grit, equipment, anything lapidaryish let us know. Most of us are always looking for a good deal! ;D
Otter
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Post by rockyraccoon on May 18, 2004 22:46:03 GMT -5
hi and welcome - hope somebody tries that linde a and lets us know how it goes.
kim
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on May 18, 2004 23:39:59 GMT -5
Hello RiverOtter,
I don't know if I would classify myself as a professional, as professionals generally make very good money in their respective occupation and area of expertise!
I have just terminated my "regular" 7am - 5pm job in hopes of becoming self employed on the 30th of April of this year! The way I look at it, if I never try ... I'll have never known. So, I'm trying ... Wish me luck!
I enjoy helping others in any way possible with their questions regarding lapidary. I am teaching my skills to others in hopes that they too will enjoy and keep this great hobby going.
I am always on the look out for some good deals regarding rough, collecting areas and equipment. If I hear of anything that sounds promising ... I'll definitely pass it on. Thanks again for the warm welcome!
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on May 18, 2004 23:52:45 GMT -5
Hello Kim,
If, I get to it before someone else does, I'll get back with you and let you know. It's good to have met some people with the same interest as myself.
Thanks again for the hello, it's good to hear from you!
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duke
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2004
Posts: 77
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Post by duke on Jun 4, 2004 20:54:57 GMT -5
Hi bearcreek and welcome...although I think I am even newer than you on this forum Is the Linde A a powder? Paste? Does the place you get it from in Fla have a web page? If so, what is it? Like one of the previous posters said "it is expensive" but I'm sure us 'avid' rockhounds can justify the cost!!. ;D Anyone tried this 'stuff' yet? Any pictures of the finished product? Again, welcome bearcreek and thanks for the info. |
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Your requested information
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Post by Your requested information on Jun 5, 2004 16:31:24 GMT -5
Hello, Linde "A" is a powder and it is generally sold by the ounce. If you keep your eyes open and check for special offers, you can find it for around 7.00 to 8.00 dollars per ounce. It doesn't take very much at all. It depends on what you are polishing. I generally use less on the softer stones and a mixture of 1 part of linde to 4 - 8 parts of optical grade cerium oxide on the harder stones. It has been a standard polish of mine for years, as it has some absolutely gorgeous results! Here is the information you requested: Graves Company 1800 Andrews Avenue Pompano Beach, FL 33069 1-800-327-9103 www.gravescompany.comIf there is anything that I can be of further service with, please let me know. John |
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Post by cookie3rocks on Jun 5, 2004 21:03:51 GMT -5
Hey John,
What makes "optical" cerium better (I understand it must be a form used for glasses/mirrors)? Is it finer and where do you get it? Same web site?
Thanks
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