noqlue
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Post by noqlue on Apr 8, 2010 18:23:52 GMT -5
Hello, I am new here and don't know anything about polishing or tumbling, but I'm sure someone here does!  I have some marble checkers which need to be polished. What would be the easiest route to take so they end up polished and precisely the same size??? TYA! |
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bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719 
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Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 8, 2010 20:33:21 GMT -5
Hi noqlue, welcome to the board. This what you need to do
1. Buy a rayteck TV-5 vib tumbler starter kit.
2. Read the tumbling posts
3 Read bikerrandy's post on vib tumbling
4.Do practice runs
5.Remember there is no dumb question, don't be afraid to ask.
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noqlue
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Post by noqlue on Apr 8, 2010 22:35:48 GMT -5
Thank you for the replies  I was worried using a tumbler would break the checkers, or give me an "in-consistant" finished dimension as they all need to be identical. I have 1 1/2" rounds by 1/4" thick. Providing they are all identical to begin with, would they come out of the tumbler polished and exactly the same dimension or does it vary? Does using a tumbler also round over the edges for me? as they need to be edged as well |
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Post by susand24224 on Apr 8, 2010 22:52:02 GMT -5
I've tumbled some pretty delicate jewelry pieces to clean them without a problem, so I doubt you would have a problem in a rotary tumbler (don't know about a vibe). The walnut shells suggested are perfect, then add some sort of polish appropriate for marble.
The Rock Shed sells walnut shells--if you call them they may have some suggestions for you. You can find them online, I think it's rockshed.com.
Susan
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noqlue
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Post by noqlue on Apr 9, 2010 0:10:44 GMT -5
At the moment my marble checkers are very dull and the edges are very crisp. I don't have a digital camera sorry. But here is a link to a picture of the end result I'm looking for: www.serendipitydeals.com/images/26032.JPGbtw thx Susan and everyone. I know there is lot's to learn...I will talk with RockShed tomorrow for some more "know-how" |
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noqlue
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Post by noqlue on Apr 9, 2010 11:23:46 GMT -5
The image I posted is that of onyx checkers (I believe). I was just trying to illustrate the 'final product' I'm after. I want my marble checkers to polish up the same, but my checkers have never been polished. They are freshly cut and very very dull, nothing like the picture. Everyone seems to be ignoring my question about the effect a tumbler will have on the dimensions, or if they will come out different sizes. So I'm assuming it will have no effect? I am working with an allowance of .015" that's roughly 1/64". How much material should I expect to lose in 3 weeks of tumbling? They are freshly cut so they still have very sharp edges, does tumbling smooth over the edges as well or do I need to take a different avenue first? Thanks again for the replies |
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Post by rockmanken on Apr 9, 2010 11:34:34 GMT -5
I stayed out of this discussion as long as I could.
If you tumble freshly cut stones, they at least need to go into some grit. Which WILL round the edges.
What you need is someone with a flat lap to polished them for you. That will keep the edges sharp and get a good polish on them.
My 2 cents worth, Ken
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noqlue
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Post by noqlue on Apr 9, 2010 12:12:16 GMT -5
Please don't be shy, I am looking for as much input as I can get!!
Let me just be clear I AM looking to round the edges (slightly) similar to the checkers in the picture.
If I will lose 20-40% of my stone in the tumbling process then it's not the right route to take. I am working with allowance of .015" or 1/64".
Approx how long would it take to "hand polish" and "edge" 32 disks and how much might that cost me???
TYIA!
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Apr 9, 2010 12:28:07 GMT -5
If you use a vibe, you will not lose as much material. It will nicely round the edges for you. If you can afford it, Lot-O vibe tumbler will work quite well.
The 20-40% estimate usually assumes a rough, jagged stone that you need to shape. If your checkers are already shaped, then you don't need to shape them in the tumbler.
A vibe doesn't do as much shaping as a rotary, which is good in this case. I would be tempted to try skipping the first grit if you don't have saw marks in the checkers. Another reason to skip the first grit is the fact that marble is soft.
Ken's suggestion of a flat lap is good, but I wouild be concerned about uniformity among the checkers.
There is a definite learning curve to tumbling, so I would practice with other marble pieces first.
1/65" is a pretty tight tolerance. If you started with thicker material a person could use a flat lap to "sneak up" on the desired thickness until it was correct. With the material cut as it is, there isn't much room for error.
Like I said above, marble is pretty soft, so regardless of the method you choose, you'll have to monitor it closely so that you don't lose a lot of material before you know it.
Hope this helps,
Chuck
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noqlue
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Post by noqlue on Apr 9, 2010 13:23:09 GMT -5
Chuck, you say my 1/64" torelanceis a bit tight. If I started with disks that are 1 1/2" x 1/4" (freshly cut with sharp edges) and someone experienced is doing the vibe tumbling, what kind of tolerances should I be looking at? I could live with 1/32"
I am not worried about getting this done instantly, I am not too concerned about time. I am more so referencing time to money as I would be looking to out-source this to an experienced tumbler.
It may be better to have them hand polished and edged (for consistency sake), that was certainly an avenue I thought about. I don't know how I would find someone locally though.
Perhaps someone here could give me an estimate of how long it would take to Hand-Polish and Edge 34 checkers with a 1/64" tolerance, and how much it would cost me per hour (if people do this professionaly).
Thanks again!
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Apr 10, 2010 11:23:18 GMT -5
Just a couple of questions...
Is this real marble or man-made material? (counter tops)
Is this a one-time deal or a prototype for a production run?
I lean towards the vibe units as there is less chance of chipping/cracking do to the stones falling on each other in the barrel.
Dr Joe
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noqlue
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Post by noqlue on Apr 10, 2010 12:45:58 GMT -5
Joe,
It is counter-top marble, but I do believe it's natural.
Eventually I would like to turn it in to some kind of production run, but at the moment I just want to do a one-time trial to have a set for myself and see what my costs and product look like.
I don't believe it's much of a toss up between vibe or tumble, rather I'm torn between a vibe tumbler or having them Hand-Polished. However I don't know where to find someone (locally-ish) to do the polishing and edging. Are there people who do it professionaly? I would be interested to see how long it would take and how much it would cost me.
Thanks,
Nathan
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noqlue
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Post by noqlue on Apr 10, 2010 14:01:59 GMT -5
Wizard,
That is a good idea, I will look in to it.
You also suggested hand polishing. Could you give me a rough estimate how much time it would take to edge and hand polish 34 checkers by hand?
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Post by rockmanken on Apr 10, 2010 19:21:18 GMT -5
Noglue, let me put and end to this thread and put you out of your misery.
You WILL NOT be able to polish these 34 checkers and turn a profit. Too time consuming. If it was an expensive, nicer stone, it may be worth it, but for just one set just for you.
Follow this....with a flat lap.....and this is for each....
Sand on 180 grit for approx. 6-8 minutes....
go to 325 for approx. 4-5 minutes....
go to 600 for approx 4 minutes....
go to 1200 for approx 3 minutes....
go to 3000 for approx 3 minutes....
go to 8000 for approx 3 minutes....
go to 14,000 for approx 3 minutes....
go to 50,000 for approx 3 minutes....
finish on 100,000 for approx 3 minutes.
NOW, you add it up. NOT WORTH IT.
TUMBLING WILL NOT DO WHAT YOU WANT.
THE END.
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noqlue
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Post by noqlue on Apr 10, 2010 21:13:48 GMT -5
Yeah very time consuming indeed... Roughly 20 hours for 34 checkers @ $15/hr would be $300 just in polishing :\ Why does everything I do have to be complicated  I appreciate all the input, thanks guys! |
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noqlue
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Post by noqlue on Apr 11, 2010 11:48:30 GMT -5
Before this thread dies and starts collecting dust, perhaps someone could help me locate someone who does "flat lap polishing" locally. Are people like this in the yellow pages? What kind of Title should I be searching for? "Flat lap polishing vancouver island bc" ? What do they roughly charge per hour ? It's easy to find the machine, hard to find people who do the work! I am not giving up yet, I will at least make a set for my self Thanks again, Nathan |
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Post by NatureNut on Apr 11, 2010 19:12:07 GMT -5
Hi Nathan,
You are already at a place where there are a number of talented and experienced artists who use a flat lap right here on this board. No offense to Wizard, and he has given you some creative suggestions, but he has been on vacation for awhile away from the forum and just come back.
Why not just ask someone here if they were willing to give your set of checkers (or just a couple) a try on their flat lap and see how they do. You could offer a trade of some kind or offer to pay them for their time. You work it out with whomever is willing. (I would do it in a heartbeat for you, but am not able at the moment)
If this sounds like a good idea, give out a shout. Jo
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noqlue
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Post by noqlue on Apr 11, 2010 20:29:54 GMT -5
Hey Jo, I think that's a mighty good suggestion!
In which case, I am reaching out to Anybody on this forum who has the spare time to under-go a project like this one:
Polishing and edging 34 freshly cut Marble checkers which are 1 3/4" diameter x 5/16" thick.
All 3 surfaces need to be polished to a shine (like counter-top), and both edges rounded. Correct me if I'm wrong but I imagine edging will occur during the polishing stages?.
I am working with some pretty tight tolerances. I would love to see a end result within a tolerance of 1/64" (.015") but I would be happy with 1/32" (.03") if it was more reasonable.
From what rockmanken detailed it will take approx. 35mins/chip to polish them on a flat lap.
34 checkers x 35min/chip = approx. 20 hours of labor which I would be happy to pay you the "going-rate" for doing it, since that's all I could really offer you.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for someone to do all of this all at once either! We could just start with a couple and see if it can even be achieved.
But if you think you will have time in the near future then great, let me know and we can work something out!!
I would do it myself but I really don't have the expertise or the equipment.
Any help would be muchly appreciated!! (Especially if you live near Victoria, B.C. lol)
Jo, I don't know exactly what you mean, but if it's something you could do in a couple weeks from now that would be no problem!
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Post by NatureNut on Apr 11, 2010 21:03:50 GMT -5
Hey Nathan, if you can manage to post a pic, that might help those that are interested get a better idea of the project. Well, we are in the process of moving at the moment, as far as the future goes... not sure, LOL. We are becoming full time RVers. Anyway, there is a member on here who lives in Saskatchewan, about 20 hours away from you with a flat lap, but he just had surgery, so we will see if he pops in. Jo |
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Post by NatureNut on Apr 12, 2010 8:09:04 GMT -5
No one on here is trying to dash Nathan's hopes or dreams.
He just wants to see if he can get his marble rounds polished and made into checkers, at least for a set for himself, but if it is possible, he might want to invest in the equipment and learn the skills that will do the job best. He merely came here to pick people's brains, and got some useful feedback. Now that he has a good plan, let's see if someone can help him test it to see if it can be done. Jo
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