Justme
starting to shine!
Member since March 2003
Posts: 38
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Post by Justme on Jan 11, 2004 15:47:21 GMT -5
I am new to tumbling; using the Lortone 3lb. tumbler given to my daughter for her birthday. ;D I have done only a couple of loads but though I thought they were shiny they were no where close to the deep polish of those pictures I saw on this site. Since then, I bought a separate "Polish Only" barrel and from the site know that I need to purchase cerium oxide polish (tumbler came with aluminum oxide). What other steps could I take to achieve my desired shine?
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Jan 11, 2004 15:59:21 GMT -5
It depends on the type of rock you're polishing. Different rocks respond differently to different polishes. I found Titanium Oxide to work great on jasper, agate and moonstone. It did however mess up a load of Spiderman jasper I was working on. At least I think thats what happened. I'll need to wait a week or two to see if Tin Oxide works better for these rocks. Tin Oxide is essential if you're polishing Obsidian or Apache Tears. Cerium Oxide is a very good, reliable, all around polish for most types of stone.
Aside from polish, you need to use lots and lots of plastic pellets for steps 2, 3 and 4. Some would argue that you only need them in steps 3 and 4, but I've got better results using them in the last 3 steps.
Make sure to wash rocks in Cascade for 15 minutes between each grit step and 1 hour following final polish.
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donwrob
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 509
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Post by donwrob on Jan 11, 2004 17:45:47 GMT -5
Good answer James, I agree, cerium oxide is most likely the best all around polish for the price that you can use. But I'd probably like tin oxide better than any though, if it weren't for the high price. I've never used titanium oxide, but have heard good things about it. I have not had much luck with the aluminum oxide polish I had, but suspect it just wasn't a very good grade. I just finished a batch of assorted agate, jasper and flint that took a good polish with cerium oxide, The pic will be a little decieving as I will only picture the pieces I am happy with, the problem with this batch was the pieces were mostly scrap, flatish flakes from knapping. Also the majority of it was a very hard agate from India. I ran it in 1st step for 2 months and that wasn't long enough! I will post a pic in a short while so you can see the shine it took with cerium. Be back shortly, Don
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Jan 11, 2004 18:30:49 GMT -5
I look forward to seeing those pic's don! I can't believe it took 2 plus month in 80 grit! Talk about patience. I hope they look as good as I think they will.
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donwrob
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 509
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Post by donwrob on Jan 11, 2004 20:07:21 GMT -5
Well, as soon as I hit enter on that last post, stating that I would be posting a pic of those rocks. I knew it would be near impossible to take a decent one Isn't that the way it always works? Hehe, I came back to wipe out the whole post after several failed pic tries, but James had already seen it and replied. Just what I needed, more pressure...lol. And no, I'm not real happy with the results of this load, not even my favorites from it are as nice as they should be. Especially after spending so much time on them. Also, with the quality of pics James has put up lately , it is even tougher to take a good one. Well, enough beating around the bush, I've taken worse. That is for sure. Maybe we need a thread on tricks to take nice polished rock pics? I used James method of a white background and it seemed to help the shine show up better. The moral of this story, if you aren't happy with the shapes after the first stage (even after 2 months) you most likely won't be too happy with the finished product either. Later all, Don
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shorty
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2003
Posts: 392
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Post by shorty on Jan 11, 2004 20:52:09 GMT -5
;D justme. mike here. i think we just learned a lession about tumbling and cerium oxide.. my stones never have polished up so nice. and i havent ever used cascade, in the final ..i sure will. next time could you put some back with cascade and do over. mike.
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Jan 11, 2004 21:03:18 GMT -5
I think they look great Don! Esspecially those really cool red ones. The picture is a little out of focus in the forground. What kind of camera are you using? I use a digital Canon Powershot G2. That way I can determine the quality of a picture ahead of time without paying a fortune to get them developed and put on a CD. All of my pictures were taken outside when the sun is obsured. I usually photograph under a big Birch tree for nice added reflections. This technique makes the stones look really glassy. I'd say do another photo shoot and see if you can get a better picture. Those stones are definitely top notch.
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donwrob
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 509
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Post by donwrob on Jan 11, 2004 22:44:05 GMT -5
Thanks guys, yes, the pic is out of focus in parts. Usually not a problem with it. I even used the tripod to steady better, at an attempt to get the sharpest pic I could. Like I said, I was hexed on this one..lol. Maybe I gave up too soon. James, I have an old Sony Mavica digital that uses a 3.5" floppy. It has been a good camera, but it is time to upgrade soon ;D. The red rock is one of my favorites to knap and tumble. It is Mook Jasper or 'Mookaite' from Australia. Silisified ancient riverbed mud. I have a full batch of some really interesting Mook in the model 'B' right now. I am really going to grind it until I'm satisfied with the shapes. Happy tumbling all, Don
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Post by rockyraccoon on Jan 12, 2004 11:15:30 GMT -5
if these are the ones you are disappointed in, i can't wait to see pics of some you're satisfied with! these are great!
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Justme
starting to shine!
Member since March 2003
Posts: 38
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Post by Justme on Jan 12, 2004 21:19:39 GMT -5
Wow! Thanks for the information. I have only done moss agates and Brazilian agates. Is it possible to back up and redo the polish step again using once my new barrel arrives? By the way Donwrob, your rocks look great. You are certainly doing things right.
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Justme
starting to shine!
Member since March 2003
Posts: 38
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Post by Justme on Jan 12, 2004 21:39:00 GMT -5
More questions When you wash with Cascade how much do you use (I have a 3lb. tumbler)? Do you use plastic pellets in the barrel during the washes too?
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Jan 12, 2004 22:33:51 GMT -5
Hey Justme, if you're going to redo the polish, I'd suggest doing a 7 day prepolish cycle first. Better safe than sorry. I think you'll be much more satisfied with the end result as well.
As far as the Cascade goes, a table spoon is about right for a 3 lb barrel. I'd also use the liquid kind, rather than the powder kind. Make sure plastic pellets are present during steps 2, 3 and 4.
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Jan 12, 2004 22:34:58 GMT -5
And WHY does S-P-O-O-N alway show up as "spoon!?"
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Justme
starting to shine!
Member since March 2003
Posts: 38
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Post by Justme on Jan 12, 2004 23:05:29 GMT -5
Thanks James for your input. I can't wait to apply it but I am only on the second day of phase 1 . I also have some tiger eye that I am waiting till I can get more to make a full load. However, the jar of "finished" stones are offically not finished till I do all that you have suggested. By the way, I am guessing that the s-p-o-o-n may be getting flagged and changed to keep this site pleasant for all.
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Post by Noosh9057 on Jan 14, 2004 9:07:08 GMT -5
Thay look great!!!!!!!
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joseph3
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2004
Posts: 6
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Post by joseph3 on Jan 18, 2004 3:30:57 GMT -5
I love to tumble rocks for the last few stages in a vibratory tumbler. Even difficult rocks like apache tears or glass polish up gloriously in my Mini-Sonic tumbler. I don't ever use plastic pellets. The vibratory tumbler doesn't do very good shaping the stones so I use my rotary tumblers for the initial rouding.
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