rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on May 18, 2009 12:01:57 GMT -5
I have a bunch of Utah obsidian mini slabs that I have tumbled but am not happy with the polish I'm getting. They were rough ground in rotary barrels (60/90 grit). Then finished in a vibe, 120/220 two days, 600 two days, 1000 two days, then a week in CPP.
I have remember some on mentioning leather scraps w/tin oxide in a rotary tumbler. I'm going to try that as soon as I get my 1.5 Lortone rebuilt. Any other suggestions?
Rick
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Post by MyNewHobby on May 18, 2009 12:14:27 GMT -5
I know that I would love to get information as well.
I have a chunk of Mahogany Obsidian that I got from and RTHer and have been told that obsidian(s) need special care.
As always ...
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Post by rocklicker on May 18, 2009 12:42:55 GMT -5
I'm curious also. I just ran a batch of obsidian and they turned out nice for the most part but still had some frosted edges. I used lots of pellets so I could use the help too.
Steve
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thomtap
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 237
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Post by thomtap on May 18, 2009 19:44:53 GMT -5
I'm looking for advice also. Just bought several pounds of rainbow obsedian and want to cab them, then tumble polish them. I don't have any other polishing option right now.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 20, 2009 2:53:40 GMT -5
Hi Rick
I had some snow flake Obsidian in the last batch I did came out very well with High Gloss
I use Tom's High gloss Vibe notes (Connrock) contact him for a copy or me john@matco.me.uk
His system is 220 g 48 hrs 500g 24 hrs 1000G 36hrs + then tripoly added for a further 24 hrs
wash in soap Ivory & Borax for 5 hours. The result is always a good high gloss finish
And it has always worked for me realy well
Jack
Yorkshire UK
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Post by johnjsgems on May 20, 2009 7:00:56 GMT -5
The best Apache Tears I ever saw were polished in a rotary using cerium oxide in Karo Syrup.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 21, 2009 2:06:50 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 21, 2009 11:04:44 GMT -5
Nice! Very nice Jack. Thanks for sharing.
Rick
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,496
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Post by Sabre52 on May 21, 2009 13:17:32 GMT -5
I've tried the obsidian mini slabs a few times and had really poor luck getting the flats polished. The rounded edges took a glassy finish but the faces only a semi-gloss. I think maybe the answer would be put in only a very few slabs with lots of smaller rounded stuff for filler to give lots of surface to surface contact. I've had very good luck with agate and jasper mini slabs using this mix of flats and smalls.....Mel
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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 21, 2009 15:51:27 GMT -5
Mel,
That's what I'm seeing is polished edges and not so polished on the flat sides. I've been having a side conversation with Tom (Connrock) and he brought up the fact that I use a mix of tumbling media in my vibe that includes tempered glass and had me check the tempered glass against the obsidian and sure enough the tempered glass scratches the obsidian. So I'm going to try just to use stuff that is softer than the obsidian and see if that works...
Rick
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