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Post by tortuga on Mar 16, 2010 23:54:36 GMT -5
I was wondering what kind of timeframes people consider appropriate for a good result on a vibratory lap? I have only tumbled at this point, which doesn't tend to produce negative results if extra days are added. However, after running a cube of owyhee jasper on my new vibratory lap, I was sad to find that after one day I had turned about an inch of the material into slurry as it actually ate away the rock. So, I now realize that I am dealing with drastically reduced time cycles for the vibratory lap vs a tumbler. For standard stones I work with, the Mohs tends to be in the 6-7 ranges. I use a 60/90 silicon carbide for rough stage (skipping in the lap if the surface is already cut), 220 for step 2, 600 for 3, and micro alumina for polish. How many days/hours should I typically expect to be looking at for each step with my average of 6.5 mohs material? I'd like to get a ballpark estimate of timeframes for this procedure so I can avoid nasty surprises like dissolving jasper in the future Thanks everyone!
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rons
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2010
Posts: 450
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Post by rons on Mar 18, 2010 15:26:33 GMT -5
You may be used to the times for tumbling...I do alot of agate and other hard material...I don't remember going past 10 hours on a grit and that was on the 1st and 2nd stage.....try to keep the pan about 70% full seems to make the slabs move around...any doubt pull one piece out and check it out..I also use graded grits, just my thing...keep a check on your slurry...not to wet, not to dry..have fun, after a couple of shots at it you'll cruise along...KOR.....Ron
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Post by kap on Mar 18, 2010 21:19:06 GMT -5
I agree with Ron 8-10 hours should be about right. The finer stages make take a little less. To check to see if ready for next stage take a pencil and put a line alway across the slab put it back and check in a few minutes to see if all the line is gone. If not run a little longer. Make sure that you have a little weight on the lighter stuff to hold it down flat. Keep a spray bottle handy so when it starts to get a little dry just give it a spray it does not take much water. Keith
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 18, 2010 21:50:38 GMT -5
I'd start with 120/220 or straight 220. 60/90 tends to wear out pans faster than rock. Speed depends on the lap pan design. If it has dimples or grooves it will be faster than a plain pan. Lapping times will increase as those dimples/grooves wear down. Keep the slurry on the thick side. Watery slurry that splashes out of pan does nothing to the rock. Pretty much like vibe tumblers check frequently in earlier steps.
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