bucky1934
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2008
Posts: 1
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Post by bucky1934 on Jun 13, 2008 11:54:00 GMT -5
Ok, I know this site is for rock tumbling, and this is my first post, but I hope I don't get kicked out for asking you experienced tumblers about tumbling wood pieces.
I have a quantity of osage orange pieces about 2cmx2cm cross-section and 8cm long which are sawn. I want to make some toggle buttons from them and don't have time to sand them smooth. Just want to break the edges and round the ends; nothing special.
Osage orange is a very hard, dense wood, so I'm thinking tumbling. Any suggestions out there on where to start? Tumbling medium, wet or dry, etc. I'm willing to experiment of course, but need a starting point. Once they're smooth, I'd like to apply a finish to them same way.
Thanks for any suggestions.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jun 13, 2008 14:17:28 GMT -5
I would guess dry mixed with a lot of ceramic pellets or walnut shell.
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181lizard
Cave Dweller 
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
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Post by 181lizard on Jun 13, 2008 16:34:58 GMT -5
I've picked up a really cool piece of drifwood from the Oregon coast. Small fist size that had tumbled into a coin shape. Throw a couple of pieces into a tumble & see what pops out!
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Post by deb193redux on Jun 13, 2008 17:50:04 GMT -5
I think John's point about "dry" is key. It would not be good to soak the wod in water - especially since wood gets even softer in water.
Also, think about what grade sandpaper you would use. 100g? That seams reasonable, but maybe you want 150g, or whatever.
Now the problem you have is that the water is what lets the grit stick to the rocks instead of falling to the bottom. WHat is the solution?
I would use ceramic triangles that have the grit embedded. You can buy them at therockshed.com. The triangles will also give you the proper range of sizes needed for tumbling to work.
But, by the time you buy triangles and then run the wood (possibly several loads) you might just take the time to hold each piece against a reciprocating sander.
Good luck
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darrad
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,636
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Post by darrad on Jun 13, 2008 19:45:22 GMT -5
Orange Osage is a beautiful wood! I have made a couple knife plaques of it. Personally I would summon the patience and stick with sand paper.
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Post by parfive on Jun 13, 2008 21:59:12 GMT -5
Bucky - You don't say if you already have a tumbler, or what size it is.
2x2x8 cm won't work in a 3 pound barrel, so that would mean a bigger tumbler for starters, more like a 12 or 15 pounder.
Rich
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cutter
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 129
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Post by cutter on Jun 14, 2008 7:18:59 GMT -5
I think I would first try a dry course river sand. And finish with masonry sand.
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Gem'n I
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 980
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Post by Gem'n I on Jun 14, 2008 12:46:32 GMT -5
You would probably be better off getting them grit blasted with glass beads or something like that. Wood would seem to float in a tumbler load being lighter than stone or grit so the coverage may not be what you would want.
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