afergua
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2007
Posts: 5
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Post by afergua on Mar 21, 2007 21:04:17 GMT -5
Has anyone tried crushed walnut shells or corn cob as a tumbling medium? I have been seeing this offered from different suppliers and it looks like it may be an answer to my concern about waste and supply.
Also while going through some of the supplies of a large lapidary estate I purchased, I found about 2lbs of whale wax. Is this for dopping or could it be used as a polish?
The lapidarist whose estate I bought ran a business in the 50's and 60's supplying lapidary material and selling samples by mail. With this in mind it has taken me awhile to go through everything
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mirkaba
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 321
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Post by mirkaba on Mar 22, 2007 10:26:33 GMT -5
I believe whale wax was used as a final polish on softer more porous stone such as turquoise and lapis......Bob
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afergua
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2007
Posts: 5
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Post by afergua on Mar 22, 2007 13:25:47 GMT -5
thanks Bob, I suspected it was for polish but not what to use it on
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desertdweller
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2006
Posts: 1,803
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Post by desertdweller on Mar 22, 2007 15:18:08 GMT -5
We use the walnut shells, for polishing. Have also used tile spacers, the little plastic pellets out of hacky sacks, stainless steel bb's and so far all of the above has worked really well. The stainless steel BB's work wonders on finished wrapped pieces, they polish the wire and get rid of all the nicks from the pliers.
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Post by hermatite on Mar 22, 2007 15:21:27 GMT -5
AHA! I could kiss you desertdweller! stainless steel bb's...of course! Rather than dish out for stainless steel "tumbling media" at $16 bucks a pound...bb's. of course! thank you thank you. THAT is why I love this place.
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Post by lonewolfrockhound on Mar 24, 2007 7:42:26 GMT -5
We use the walnut shells, for polishing. Have also used tile spacers, the little plastic pellets out of hacky sacks, stainless steel bb's and so far all of the above has worked really well. The stainless steel BB's work wonders on finished wrapped pieces, they polish the wire and get rid of all the nicks from the pliers. Tile spacers work great! Though I went ahead and purchased some plastic pellets from the Rock Shed anyway.  Also, the little orange plastic BBs my kids use to shoot at the birds works well too. |
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rockinmom
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2007
Posts: 481
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Post by rockinmom on Mar 25, 2007 11:06:24 GMT -5
Ahh.. do you mean BB's from bb guns?  Tammy |
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afergua
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2007
Posts: 5
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Post by afergua on Mar 27, 2007 22:51:42 GMT -5
so if I understand right, walnut shells are used as a filler in the polish stage? do they act as a burnisher? the info I found has the available in course and fine which is why I was thinking they could be used for tumbling.
My big problem is finding a supplier for tumbling grit in my area (other than the little hobby kits). If I order from the states, the exchange, shipping and customs make it very costly to throw away when done (I've actually re-cycled grits)
Hey Rockinmon - I see you're a Canuck as well what area and where do you get your supplies? I'm in southwestern Ontario.
Andrew
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