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Post by tortuga on Apr 11, 2010 20:20:10 GMT -5
When I first got my vibra-lap a few weeks ago, I had a lot of questions, one of which resulted in some good advice to draw some lines on the slab to see when it's even and ready for the next step. I have been using a sharpie for it, but I'm wondering if later one down the grit chain I need to stop doing this as the finer grits remove less material. Is there going to be a point when the fine grit wont remove enough of the material to remove the marker or should I be good to go through the polish? I'd rather ask now than scribble on something before the polish stage and find I have to return to an earlier grit to get it off.
Thanks, you guys have been an excellent learning resource for all my newbie lapidary questions!
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Apr 11, 2010 22:08:18 GMT -5
I don't personally have a vibe-lap, but I've read people use pencil to mark the slabs. I would imagine any ink based marking pen would pose the possibility of somewhat discoloring a slab if there's any porosity to it whatsoever.
Nate
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Post by susand24224 on Apr 11, 2010 22:43:35 GMT -5
Hi, I don't "directly" know the answer to your question, but I do know that the so called permanent magic marker comes off easily with nail polish remover. On softer stones, I would test this first on the back--
Hope this helps!
Susan
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 11, 2010 22:45:14 GMT -5
you only do this in the 1st grit.
you stay in 1st grit until flat. Other grits should remove scratches, but not change shape.
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Post by sandsman1 on Apr 11, 2010 23:52:18 GMT -5
i agree with deb193 after first grit the slab will be even unless something goes wrong and mis shapes it -- id go with a carpenters pencil nice and thick easy to see and it wont be hard to get off if need be
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Post by tortuga on Apr 12, 2010 10:34:20 GMT -5
makes sense! thanks again folks
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riverbendlapidary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,058
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Post by riverbendlapidary on Apr 12, 2010 10:44:42 GMT -5
I use a thick piece of copper wire.
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Apr 12, 2010 10:58:59 GMT -5
I use an aluminum nail/spike as it leaves a nice brite silver mark on the stone that is easy to see when cutting/cabbing. The nail I got at Home Depot and its for installing aluminum rain gutters
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pebblepup
has rocks in the head
Succor Creek Thunder Egg
Member since July 2008
Posts: 515
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Post by pebblepup on Apr 12, 2010 13:44:13 GMT -5
You need to be careful with using a sharpie marker. I sometimes use them to mark problem areas on cabs. With hard agates this is fine but do it on a light colored jasper and you will run into problems. I did this on a white Willow Creek jasper with excellent orbs and had to sand for a long time to get through the stain it left. For a while I thought I ruined the cab.
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Post by frane on Apr 12, 2010 18:07:20 GMT -5
I use an extra fine tip sharpie on most but some, I go with a scribe to leave a nice silver mark. I tend to use the sharpie on the pattern and the scribe if I am drawing a girdle line. If it is a soft stone, I try to stick with pencil (wears off too fast and hard to see) or the scribe. Fran
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Apr 12, 2010 20:22:10 GMT -5
I've been using those big, fat architect pencils, they've worked on every surface so far and are gone usually with the first coarse rubbing.
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Post by stonesthatrock on Apr 13, 2010 10:14:16 GMT -5
ralph also uses a sharpie with no problems, so far.
mary ann
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