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Post by tortuga on Apr 11, 2010 18:59:41 GMT -5
I finally have enough chunks of rutilated & tourmalated quartz to run a whole barrel of them in the tumbler. It took a bit to gather them and I really like the pieces, so I would like to minimize problems or excessive material loss. I've done the basic research for tumbling it, which doesn't really indicate much difference in procedure from the norm.
Any anecdotal or otherwise hints or tips I should consider before running these? I usually run in 60/90 for about 2 weeks, 220 for about 10 days, 600 for about 10 days, and polish for at least 2 weeks. Until recently I've used micro alumina polish but recently got some cerium so I'll be using that on the load. Any adjustments recommended or things I should keep an eye out for?
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Post by Condor on Apr 11, 2010 19:12:59 GMT -5
Do you have a vibrating tumber? If so, you could go with two or three weeks in the rotary at 60/90 then switch to the vibe at 220 for about a week, then pre-polish for another week, and finally the cerium oxide (I prefer aluminum oxide) for about three or four days, and finally burnishing them for a few hours after that. If you're going strictly with the rotary, be sure to have it close to full so that they don't bang each other up. After the first stage, you might want to add in some ceramic pellets to keep the tumbler as full as it was during stage 1. That should be able to work. Let us know how they turn out and good luck with them Turtle.
Condor
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Post by tortuga on Apr 11, 2010 19:18:01 GMT -5
Don't have a vibratory, just a rotary. I can get the ceramic pellets, but I have the plastic beads onhand, same difference or is the ceramic better on the quartz?
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Post by Condor on Apr 11, 2010 20:27:41 GMT -5
Plastic beads work just at well. I'm sure you know this, but just in case, be sure not to use the same beads for every stage otherwise the rocks will get contaminated from the previous grits.
Condor
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Post by Toad on Apr 11, 2010 21:55:51 GMT -5
I had a fairly large piece of rutilated that went through every stage fine - but cracked in polish. As rutile/tourmaline can be considered a defect, I'm wondering if rotary all the way through might be the safer road (I used a vibe for every stage after 60/90). Just as emerald shouldn't be put in a vibe jewelry cleaner (because of all the fractures) I'm wondering if rutilated should be kept out of vibratory tumblers. So in answer to your question - I think the rotary you have should be good. How's that for quick and simple? ;D
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Post by connrock on Apr 13, 2010 5:46:46 GMT -5
The only knowledge I have with vibes comes from my Lot-O-Tumbler so I can't say much about the other brands and types. I have run almost everything there is to run through my vibes and have never had a problem with cracking and or fracturing in the final stages. If I am running something delicate I use the instructions that came with the unit for doing obsidian which slows down the action dramatically. I get fantastic results with obsidian and in my opinion,obsidian MUST be polished to a VERY high sheen or it's just garbage.Kind of like comparing sea glass to a mirror. Either ya got it or ya aint! This is a piece of clear quartz.NOT rutillated but just clear. You can see that the quartz actually magnifies the rug through it.  connrock |
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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 13, 2010 5:57:59 GMT -5
Nice.
What was your final polish on that?
Dr Joe
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Post by connrock on Apr 14, 2010 6:54:48 GMT -5
Rapid Polish #61 which I believe is a tin oxide.
I've tried tin oxide from several distributers but find the Rapid Polish does better for some reason???
connrock
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 14, 2010 7:56:37 GMT -5
Rapid Polish is .3 micron Aluminum Oxide. I met the originator last weekend. Interesting guy.
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Post by connrock on Apr 15, 2010 5:33:37 GMT -5
John,
That explains why I get different results !!
Thanks,,,
connrock
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