redwings1
starting to shine!
Member since July 2009
Posts: 45
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Post by redwings1 on Jul 17, 2009 7:55:08 GMT -5
Hello everyone, just joined your forum. I'm from MI and I have enjoyed collecting my entire life but am just now getting into tumbling, something my Grandfather did and I always wanted to do as I now posses some of his later work. I recently bought a Raytech tv5 and have received a modest self education on the basics of vibrating different hardnesses to some degree of success, for roughing anyway. What I feel I do need, is some pointers achieving high polish on softer materials, such as my petoskeys. I bought some ZAM but am not sure exactly how use it in my tumbler. I have not yet had a chance to browse this forum which I'm sure contains a wealth of info on this very subject. Thanks in advance for pointing me in the right direction!
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10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on Jul 17, 2009 15:09:54 GMT -5
Welcome to the board. I'm also a Michigander born and raised. Bettman screwed the Wings. The fix was in. I have proof.
I made some petoskey cabs. Once I had the shape down I used 320/400/600 sanding belts. After that I hand sanded them with wet sandpaper - 800/1000/1200/1500/2000/2500 and just because I had the paper 4000/6000/8000. After that I hand polished them with fine grade cerium oxide (white, not pink). They came out pretty nice. They are so soft that they're a very difficult tumble so the hand method is probably best. This would be best put on the General Rocks or Lapidary tips board... but I did open with "Welcome" so it should be okay.
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Post by frane on Jul 17, 2009 15:23:40 GMT -5
Welcome to the board redwings1, I have the tv5 also....it can be a bear to use! It is best not to start with rough stone. It will tear up your bowl fast! If you have a tumbler, use that first and round out the edges. If you have a tile saw or grinder, grind down the rough edges first. i am not sure how it will work for your softer stones. I have not had great success yet with it and softies. Trial and error I guess. My next vibe will not have a plastic bowl. Good luck! Fran
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redwings1
starting to shine!
Member since July 2009
Posts: 45
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Post by redwings1 on Jul 17, 2009 19:52:23 GMT -5
thanks for your welcomes...this afternoon at work i was browsing and reading...and reading...so much good stuff here, i'm sure to find answers to all the questions i didn't even know i had yet!
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Post by NatureNut on Jul 18, 2009 8:24:48 GMT -5
Welcome Redwings! Alot of great folks here and lots of fun going on. Glad to have you aboard! Jo
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RockyBlue
fully equipped rock polisher
Go U.K.
Member since June 2006
Posts: 1,719
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Post by RockyBlue on Aug 2, 2009 1:27:14 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH! I had a display piece of Wonderstone that i couldn`t get to shine like i wanted it to so i gave it 3 coats of mop n glo and buffed it with a piece of flannel cloth and it looks good.
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Post by stonesthatrock on Aug 2, 2009 16:10:02 GMT -5
welcome to the board, you will love it here.
mary ann
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jean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 127
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Post by jean on Aug 2, 2009 22:54:59 GMT -5
Welcome. I tumbled for years with the vibe and tore up multiple barrels until this site taught me that rough grind should be done in a rotary. Then discovered the Workforce Tile saw from HOme Depot, again thanks to this site, and can now saw shapes and go to the vibe directly. Always learning, this is the best site you could find. These folks truly want to help others in this hobby. Enjoy and don't be afraid to ask any question.
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