Post by rocklicker on Nov 11, 2009 1:47:26 GMT -5
I've completed my first vibe batch! Woohoo! I could not find instructions for a minisonic so I adapted regular vibe instructions and guessed a bit. Here's how it went down:
-3 days in 120/220 recharging each day, two tablespoons each time.
-1 day in 600 grit, two tablespoons
-1 day in tripoli prepolish, three teaspoons
-7 days cerium oxide polish, three tablespoons
I kept the water to a minimum, just enough to keep everybody damp so it churned nicely. I didn't use filler, except for plastic pellets in the last stage which was pointless. I kept the tumbler turned up about half way the whole time to keep the noise down and did a soap and rocks wash for a little while between stages.
Overall, they came out OK. Not the spectacular polish I was hoping for but pretty nice. For the most part, the faces of the slabs were less polished than the edges. The jaspers shined up real good. The second batch, which is more slablettes, is already on polish and used less grit and more time in prepolish. I also added filler this time around in the polish. I started some lakers in the other hopper on 120/220 yesterday and feel pretty good about them. I used lots of filler rocks this time around. I'm getting the hang of this (possibly) but any advice is gladly welcome ;D
Steve
Here they are:
Some closeups. They look more shiney in real life due to the camera flash. First, unusual local agate.
Tiger iron.
Poppy jasper.
Bloodstone, local jasper, and Lesbos island agate from Adrain:
Little 4th of July agate nodule, cool agate from the pile shop in AZ, and a cute half agate nodule (Pete, take note!)
-3 days in 120/220 recharging each day, two tablespoons each time.
-1 day in 600 grit, two tablespoons
-1 day in tripoli prepolish, three teaspoons
-7 days cerium oxide polish, three tablespoons
I kept the water to a minimum, just enough to keep everybody damp so it churned nicely. I didn't use filler, except for plastic pellets in the last stage which was pointless. I kept the tumbler turned up about half way the whole time to keep the noise down and did a soap and rocks wash for a little while between stages.
Overall, they came out OK. Not the spectacular polish I was hoping for but pretty nice. For the most part, the faces of the slabs were less polished than the edges. The jaspers shined up real good. The second batch, which is more slablettes, is already on polish and used less grit and more time in prepolish. I also added filler this time around in the polish. I started some lakers in the other hopper on 120/220 yesterday and feel pretty good about them. I used lots of filler rocks this time around. I'm getting the hang of this (possibly) but any advice is gladly welcome ;D
Steve
Here they are:
Some closeups. They look more shiney in real life due to the camera flash. First, unusual local agate.
Tiger iron.
Poppy jasper.
Bloodstone, local jasper, and Lesbos island agate from Adrain:
Little 4th of July agate nodule, cool agate from the pile shop in AZ, and a cute half agate nodule (Pete, take note!)
