anilyn1
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2009
Posts: 9
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Post by anilyn1 on Apr 16, 2009 21:30:28 GMT -5
:help: Hi again from Washington! I'm still working on (re-doing) the first batch of rocks I have ever tumbled/vibrated and I"m almost at this step so I hope someone can tell me what it is! The instructions with my UV-10 say to put in laundry detergent and add water until there is a "stiff suds". I tried that before and never did get a "stiff suds". Then I read what someone said about using a few tablespoons of borax. I don't know if I put in enough water. Can someone tell me what's the best thing to use for burnishing, how much to put in, and how much water to add? I would really appreciate it. This is a great site and I'm learning alot from reading the other posts. This is a whole new thing for me but I love it. Thank you! Anita
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Post by 150FromFundy on Apr 17, 2009 8:21:03 GMT -5
I use 20 Mule Brand powdered detergent. I think it's mostly Borax. It's a strong detergent that will not produce excessive suds.
I heard some people use Ivory powderd detergent as well.
In a small rotary tumbler, a tablespoon in a barrel (with pellets) usually does the trick, but that recipe may vary in a vibe.
Good luck.
150FromFundy
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Mudshark
fully equipped rock polisher
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,083
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Post by Mudshark on Apr 17, 2009 9:30:19 GMT -5
Randy has instructions posted in the tumbling section,right at the top.He says use 2-3 tablespoons and then spray a little water in the bowl and run for 3-4 hours.I have a load in my UV-10 and will be doing that today,it's been in polish for 5 days now.I'll post some pics of the batch later. Mike
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anilyn1
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2009
Posts: 9
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Post by anilyn1 on Apr 17, 2009 18:20:41 GMT -5
Thanks Mike! I'll be anxious to see how they turn out. Good luck! By the way, did you try the burnishing with Borax and one tbsp. of polish after the pre-polish stage? I wasn't sure if that was supposed to be the polish stage or if after that you still do the 5 days of straight polish and then burnish with the Borax. I guess a lot of this is trial and error and I'm good at that! Anita
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Mudshark
fully equipped rock polisher
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,083
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Post by Mudshark on Apr 18, 2009 7:21:16 GMT -5
Hi Anita,I did the burnish with one spoon of polish after the 500 grit stage.I've had a load running in polish for almost six days now,I'll do the borax today for a few hours.I wont have another load ready for polish for a few days so I decided to let this batch stay in polish a little longer.I took out a few stones after 3 days and the shine was already nice so this should be a great batch.I'll post some pics as soon as I can. Mike
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Apr 18, 2009 12:25:12 GMT -5
I've tried borax and other things, but I seem to get the best results by using plain old Ivory bar soap, I use a cheese grater to make shavings out of it....
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