Post by WayKewl on Jan 8, 2005 2:37:14 GMT -5
I’m looking for advice from the best source, existing hobbyist experiences.
My son and I are starting the hobby of tumbling rocks together. A search for “rock tumbling instructions” on Google.com offers so many different opinions. Some differ drastically. I’ve spent the last few days reading over hundreds of post on this board and what I am interested in is what the average hobbyist here using the average rock type uses with best results.
Question 1: Grit size.
According to the suggestions here at
www.rocktumblinghobby.com/cycle/cycle.html it states I should be using a “graded” Silicon Carbide grit size of 80; 220; & 400
Is it safe to say that “Ungraded/blended” grit size 60-90; 120-220; and 600&F retrospectively will work just as good? These seem to be more common in what I’m reading.
Question 2: To dump or not to dump.
If I am running Step 1 longer to continue to “shape” the rocks, when I recharge, the link above state that I should dump and clean before recharging where in other writings I’ve read simply to add grit to the existing slurry. Which advise should I take?
Question 3: Type of Polish
In the link above it states to use the more expensive Cerium Oxide. In most writings I’ve read that the less expensive Aluminum Oxide Polish (1000-1200 grit size or about 1 micron) works fine for most stones. Will I be fine using this Aluminum Oxide Polish for most stones?
Question 4: Amount of Polish
By far the widest spectrum of information I’ve read is concerning the amount of Polish to use. The Lortone instructions say to use more tbls. of polish then was used of silicon carbide in the previous steps and other writings say to use less during this steps including the link above. The general consensus here appears to be 2 tbls for a 3# tumbler. (and that the slurry can be re-used many times) Also listed at the link above the tumble time for this should be to check it every 2 days and when you’re happy run it for 4 more days . Is it safe to say that the amount of polish and tumble time is on target?
Question 5: Silicon Carbide vs. Aluminum Oxide
From a tumbling perspective it was clear that Aluminum Oxide for the most part is for the “Polish” stage. However, when searching for a cheap source of Aluminum Oxide I came across some industrial suppliers (I believe for Sandblasting) that carried Aluminum Oxide in the 180-600 grit size range as well. When I talked to a local rock shop about the difference between using an Aluminum Oxide grit size 180 instead of Silicon Carbide grit size 180 as well as Aluminum Oxide grit size 600 instead of Silicon Carbide grit size 600 he said they would both do the same thing. In a request for a second opinion, was he correct in saying these are interchangeable?
Thanks in advance for any advise you can offer…
My son and I are starting the hobby of tumbling rocks together. A search for “rock tumbling instructions” on Google.com offers so many different opinions. Some differ drastically. I’ve spent the last few days reading over hundreds of post on this board and what I am interested in is what the average hobbyist here using the average rock type uses with best results.
Question 1: Grit size.
According to the suggestions here at
www.rocktumblinghobby.com/cycle/cycle.html it states I should be using a “graded” Silicon Carbide grit size of 80; 220; & 400
Is it safe to say that “Ungraded/blended” grit size 60-90; 120-220; and 600&F retrospectively will work just as good? These seem to be more common in what I’m reading.
Question 2: To dump or not to dump.
If I am running Step 1 longer to continue to “shape” the rocks, when I recharge, the link above state that I should dump and clean before recharging where in other writings I’ve read simply to add grit to the existing slurry. Which advise should I take?
Question 3: Type of Polish
In the link above it states to use the more expensive Cerium Oxide. In most writings I’ve read that the less expensive Aluminum Oxide Polish (1000-1200 grit size or about 1 micron) works fine for most stones. Will I be fine using this Aluminum Oxide Polish for most stones?
Question 4: Amount of Polish
By far the widest spectrum of information I’ve read is concerning the amount of Polish to use. The Lortone instructions say to use more tbls. of polish then was used of silicon carbide in the previous steps and other writings say to use less during this steps including the link above. The general consensus here appears to be 2 tbls for a 3# tumbler. (and that the slurry can be re-used many times) Also listed at the link above the tumble time for this should be to check it every 2 days and when you’re happy run it for 4 more days . Is it safe to say that the amount of polish and tumble time is on target?
Question 5: Silicon Carbide vs. Aluminum Oxide
From a tumbling perspective it was clear that Aluminum Oxide for the most part is for the “Polish” stage. However, when searching for a cheap source of Aluminum Oxide I came across some industrial suppliers (I believe for Sandblasting) that carried Aluminum Oxide in the 180-600 grit size range as well. When I talked to a local rock shop about the difference between using an Aluminum Oxide grit size 180 instead of Silicon Carbide grit size 180 as well as Aluminum Oxide grit size 600 instead of Silicon Carbide grit size 600 he said they would both do the same thing. In a request for a second opinion, was he correct in saying these are interchangeable?
Thanks in advance for any advise you can offer…