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Post by blueangele2 on Jan 17, 2004 14:54:19 GMT -5
Ok, my new tumbler should be here in a few days, and because I am impatient waiting for it I decided to 'play' a bit with some of the smaller stones ready to go. My question is how much preforming is needed before tumbing? I have a really neat looking piece of jasper that is red with clear quartz stripes going diaganol through it, with a pair of pliers and a bit of sand paper I have it a rough shape of a tear drop, very rough shape, I figured if I formed it too much then the tumbling would ruin it, yet if not enough, then it won't look like a tear drop, so is just getting the very basic shape ok? And will the pointed end end up breaking off? Thanks for any info.
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Post by docone31 on Jan 17, 2004 21:24:14 GMT -5
A calibrated cab is when the shape is made to size, and polished. In tumbling, the shape is roughed in, and the stone is tumbled. Approximately 1/3 of the stone can be lost to the grit cycles, depending on how far the stone needs to go to be polished. The point should remain, although it will not be sharp. The main point to preforming is to save time and present a shape to resemble the finished product. Sandpaper is slow, a grinding wheel is much quicker.
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Post by blueangele2 on Jan 18, 2004 9:39:11 GMT -5
yeah, I was only using the sandpaper to get off a few 'burrs'. I am going to be really curious to see what happens, I have two stones that I did, one the jasper and one a bloodstone, but both are rather thin, I could break off the pieces I wanted to to get my shape with pliers, so I really don't have much hope for them surviveing the tumble phase, they will probably be casualties to the bigger, thicker stones. But part of the fun of this is experimenting. I also talked to the guy who runs our local 'hobby shop' and he can order me stuff from lortone at his cost. He seemed very eager to help so my tax return may have a new purpose in life, to get a grinder/cutter or combo unit, I'm going to have to check his catalog out to see what is available.
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Post by sandsman1 on Jan 18, 2004 18:18:29 GMT -5
hi all just for fun shop around for same item you are goin to buy from him and see what kinda price your gettin i seen prices that are 50 60 dollers cheaper on dif sites and everybody will say its gonna be there cost not saying anything about the guy he might do it just check for your own sake never hurts to shop around --- www.alpha-supply.com/211.htm look around on here get an idea then see what he says his price is ok seeya --- john
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