minerjohn
starting to shine!
The wild bunch!
Member since May 2008
Posts: 43
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Post by minerjohn on May 27, 2008 16:50:11 GMT -5
Hi folks,
I have a bunch of different stones that I have ground on my flat lap. I've ground everything down to 1200 grit and I want to try polishing in a vibratory tumbler. I hate using cerium oxide! My question is, what polishing media do you all recommend for a bright shine? Thanks
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firewalker45
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 929
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Post by firewalker45 on May 27, 2008 18:26:37 GMT -5
Hi MJ and welcome here. I'd say a fine grain alunimun Oxide. The Rockshed is a good place to buy. They also give directions for a couple of the vib tumblers on their site. Daniel
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Post by Noosh9057 on May 27, 2008 18:51:59 GMT -5
Well I think that cerium oxide works great. Can I ask why you dont like cerium oxide.
Roger
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Post by deb193redux on May 27, 2008 21:51:39 GMT -5
You should also use ceramic media. Depending on the shapes, upto 1/2 the load.
I would also run for a short time in 1200g before going to AO
After AO, burnish for a day in Borax
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 28, 2008 1:58:58 GMT -5
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holdemplyer
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 418
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Post by holdemplyer on May 28, 2008 9:11:19 GMT -5
Jack, in that pic, there is obsidian and agate next to each other correct? and if so, were they tumbled together? is the recepie you have the same as here? thehobbithut.com/TIPS.html |
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 29, 2008 2:06:38 GMT -5
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on May 29, 2008 9:57:31 GMT -5
I use 120/220 1-2 days, then 600 1-2 days, then 1000 1-2 days, then Tin Oxide for 5-7 days and get great results every the time.
Rick
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Post by deb193redux on May 29, 2008 10:33:21 GMT -5
But in this case, where the stones are sanded to 1200g, the full recipies are not needed.
Even tripoly, is sometimes 1000g, so that would be a step back. I stand by my recommendation to tumble a short time in 1200g to make sure the sanding is even - like on the sides and stuff. Then AO and ceramic media. Then burnish.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 30, 2008 0:19:27 GMT -5
Hi Deb & Miner John, Yes I agree it looks like a slight step back (Or overlap) but hardly noticble and thats often a good thing anyway to get a good finish in any polishing , In the Connrock recepie the "Over lap" is what hapens naturaly with grit breakdown If you added Tripoly to the 1000 Grit (No washing ) Then add Rapid Polish 61 you would come out with a very high gloss like this img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/john-edward/E-kitesVibeApril.jpgAnd isent this what you want ? Just try it and see, you will NOT be dissapointed. Jack Yorkshire UK PS I think Rapid 61 is a TO based polish ? Im sure others will corect me if im wrong |
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holdemplyer
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 418
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Post by holdemplyer on May 30, 2008 23:18:09 GMT -5
Jack, thanks for the info, i've put off putting some obsidian pendants in because i didn't want them to be ground away w/ agates and jaspers, i'll toss a few into the next batch! Thanks again
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