Dave Austin
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 104
|
Post by Dave Austin on Jan 27, 2008 4:18:09 GMT -5
If this has been posted before I apologise, but I have never seen this tip in any of the tumbling books I have read and it could mean the difference between a smile and a frown after your very first tumbling run. Basically after thoroughly washing stones after a stage of tumbling, we then put the stones back in the barrel for a few hours with a three teaspoons of borax, we do this after stage 2,3 and after polishing, just pop it all back in the barrel along with any plastic pellets you have used during the previous stage. We just finished a run on some rough emerald, the stuff that all over EBay at the moment, you get it still in the matrix. The larger lumps were sliced and the smaller ones were preformed a bit on the grinder, then it all went for tumbling. We were a little disappointed after the polishing cycle, most of them had some shine but nothing like we had hoped for, so we put them back in the polisher barrel along with the plastic pellets that had been used during polishing and then let them all have a good wash for about 3 hours. Now we have a good stock of tumbled emerald that made us smile. Credit were credit is due, I read about this at this page: www.mnironrange.com/rock_tumbling_intermediate.htm |
|
|
|
Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jan 28, 2008 3:59:41 GMT -5
Hi Dave , Yep It is a way we have used for for quite some years on RTH, Some swear by Borax some have other Ideas I do a 24 hour run in between batches and or a 48 hour run just before the final polishing run in a Borax and soapflakes wash. I some times use the same plastic pellets from stage 2 (hence the 24 hour wash/Burnishing cycle in between cycles ) the colour of the water after this stage proves the advantage to me especialy after washing clear 3X before , and I get a excelent high gloss finish as this link shows img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/john-edward/March1st007.jpgThanks for sharing have a good day. jack Yorkshire UK |
|
Dave Austin
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 104
|
Post by Dave Austin on Jan 28, 2008 18:10:17 GMT -5
Hi Jack,
thanks for expanding on this idea, I will try it out with the current run of amethyst that we have on the go which will complete 2 runs at stage 1 on sunday (grit recharged at the end of the 1st week).
When you suggest soap flakes do you mean the fairy soap flakes, at least to the best of my memory they were made by fairy.
I must say you are certainly getting a nice polish on those stones in the picture, sets me a standard to aim for.
I think I am going to have to build a better tumbler set up soon as these little Beach tumblers are taking a real battering right now.
All the best
Dave, Stamford, South Lincs
|
|
mike4bears
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 275
|
Post by mike4bears on Jan 28, 2008 20:00:56 GMT -5
i have been using ivory soap. but I'm gong to try borax. normally after the polish i will run ivory and pellets for 4to6 hrs. rinse and do it again for 24 to 48 hrs.
|
|
earthdog
Cave Dweller 
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
|
Post by earthdog on Jan 29, 2008 23:42:12 GMT -5
I use Calgon, I put about 30# in the bathtub, fill it up with hot water, take all my clothes off and jump in with the rocks. I splash around, rub the rocks all over my body. I will even take handfuls and pour them over my naked body letting them cascade over my arms and chest.
I rub them over my legs and thighs untill my body is energized once again and the rocks and my body are clean and free of all impurities.
Calgon takes me away...
Also Calgon makes an array of invigorating flavors. My personal favorite, Cotton candy.
|
|
|
|
Post by captbob on Jan 30, 2008 0:07:29 GMT -5
Now I have to go scrub the top of my head with 5 pounds of 30 grit to see if I can erase THAT mental image!  That might be an interesting suggestion, IF Catherine Zeta-Jones had made it! |
|
earthdog
Cave Dweller
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
|
Post by earthdog on Jan 30, 2008 0:21:17 GMT -5
You don't want me to show the pink chaps again, now do you?
What mental image? You don't know what I look like...
|
|
|
|
Post by captbob on Jan 30, 2008 0:29:30 GMT -5
Gender: Male  nuf' said |
|
|
|
Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jan 30, 2008 5:10:40 GMT -5
Hi Dave ,
I was going to say You Americans call it Ivory !! and saw you were inLincs
Also Welcome to the Board
Soapflakes & Borax I get from Boots.
I see your about 40 to 50 miles from the sea beaches do you ever get there ? should get a few interesting stones there I got a bit of Jet last week at Boggle Hole Nr Runswick bay.
I made 2 or 3 Tumblers I find heating system motors are realy good the push my 6lb Lortone barrel round realy well
There was a excelent design on here from a proffesional jewelry guy in Wales that a lot of people have used on RTH I will see if I can find it and bump it up,
Jack
Yorkshire UK
|
|
Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
Posts: 600
|
Post by Roan on Jan 30, 2008 6:40:46 GMT -5
A quick question --
Sorry, I'm new and I haven't even filled out my profile, I'm in Virginia, USA, but I'm Canadian.
Will Ivory Snow laundry detergent work? The stuff for baby clothes, I mean. I know it used to contain borax, at least in Canada it did. I have a small bottle from about 5 years ago (bought in Virginia) and it just says it's all biodegradable.
If I use Ivory bar soap, would it be better to grate it finely with a grater than use flakes?
Thanks!
Eileen
|
|
Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
Posts: 600
|
Post by Roan on Jan 30, 2008 11:32:34 GMT -5
Okay, now I have a headache  I've been reading in several places and sites that some people use Borax, which is sodium tetraborate decahydrate, and some use OxiClean. Now, from what I understand, they are not the same thing. OxiClean contains sodium percarbonate, not sodium tetraborate decahydrate, and it is not borax. Does it matter? I mean, what is the reason borax et al are added to the cycle? Is it to improve cleaning or is there another reason? Thanks! Eileen |
|
Dave Austin
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 104
|
Post by Dave Austin on Jan 30, 2008 17:57:52 GMT -5
Hi Eileen,
to be honest I don't know the difference between the 2 products you mentioned, as I said earlier I used the borax as a cleaning agent and it made a whole world of difference to otucome of the emeralds we had just finished polishing. I am going to try Jacks method (mentioned above) next.
Cheers
Dave
|
|
Dave Austin
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 104
|
Post by Dave Austin on Jan 30, 2008 18:01:54 GMT -5
Hi Jack,
we do aim to make some beach visits as soon as time permits, our motorhome RV rental business is currently going through its annual manic period at the moment. Having said that, I am also a motorbike courier and just maube a job will take me to the seaside one of these days, fingers crossed eh!
My new motor for my saw/grinder arrived yesterday so I just have to get the key on the shaft removed or cut a grrove on the inside of the pulley and then I can set about all of that agate thats sitting there doing nothing.
I forsee a very busy weekend looming - again.
Cheers
Dave
|
|
|
|
Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jan 31, 2008 4:45:03 GMT -5
Hi Dave ,
Hope all goes well, and you get this motor mounted up & get slabing
have a good day
Jack
Yorkshire UK
|
|
|
|
Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jan 31, 2008 4:50:27 GMT -5
Hi Eileen,
Welcome to the Board
Hope you find the answers to all your questions.
As I said above some people like using Borax some dont But I do and to do a 24 or 48 hour run and see the dirty water come of them and to see the start of a slight shine on them is proof of this process
Try It and see is all I can say
Some people have tried for 6 hours , and dont get results 6 hours is far to short a time , I tried the 6 hours effort years ago .
Ivory soap helps cusion the rocks as well as Plastic pellets in the later stages .
Other people might add there comments ?
Again welcome
jack Yorkshire UK
|
|
Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
Posts: 600
|
Post by Roan on Jan 31, 2008 15:30:18 GMT -5
Jack and Dave, Thank you both for taking the time to respond to my questions. I think part of the problem is that borax is tough to find here in stores in the states. Unless I can find a store that carries 20 Mule Team borax (I think it's called), I'll have to order some off the internet. I really wish there was a Boots down here! They have CVS drug stores, but I dunno if they'd carry borax or not. I'll have to check their web site. What I think I will do is try the OxiClean first, because it's easily obtained, then find some borax and try that. See which works better As for the Ivory soap -- thank you for clarifying and I'll grab some bar soap as well. Hrm, what about straight glycerin soap? I have some sitting right here and wonder if that would do the trick. Thanks again! Eileen |
|
Dave Austin
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 104
|
Post by Dave Austin on Jan 31, 2008 18:04:17 GMT -5
Hi Eileen,
I have put an ebay item number below, don't know what the postage to your part of the world would be: 230217805402
Cheers
Dave
|
|
Dave Austin
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 104
|
Post by Dave Austin on Jan 31, 2008 18:07:49 GMT -5
Hi Jack,
I goofed up, should have ordered the pulley when I ordered the motor, the original pocador 3 stage pulley I have is too big for the motor shaft, anyway have ordered a new pulley now, should be here for saturday.
If you ever do manage to find those details on that tumbler that the guy from wales made I would be very interested.
All the best Dave
PS you got any snow up there in Yorkshire, we have none, just hope it goes away before monday as I have a long courier ride up to Gateshead - eek!
|
|
Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
Posts: 600
|
Post by Roan on Jan 31, 2008 21:21:46 GMT -5
Hi Eileen, I have put an ebay item number below, don't know what the postage to your part of the world would be: 230217805402 Cheers Dave Dave, Thanks, but that only ships in the UK. S'kay, I can get it in the USA off the internet, I'd rather save on shipping and get it locally if possible. Eileen |
|
|
|
Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Feb 1, 2008 5:47:57 GMT -5
Hi Dave Gateshead thats 1 hour + above us you got a long ride see PM Oh my mob #07720820112 give me a ring I will have a go and find them I might have printed them out I will let you know www.watchrepairer.co.uk/making_a_tumbler.htmI tried this but couldnt get through send me a PM of your address and I will send the photocopies on to you of it Jack Yorkshire UK |
|
