RocknCritter
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 489
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Post by RocknCritter on Apr 23, 2010 8:19:43 GMT -5
Has anyone ever tumbled Lexan plastic?
The guy at the machine shop that's helping build the UDG has another project that requires some clear Lexan parts. While he can hand polish each one, this requires more time than is practical.
I ran some tests with the parts in my Lot-O-Thumbler and had some success. The Lexan is a little milky but still acceptable.
So does anyone have any ideas or a reference on where to look for more information?
Thanks.
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 25, 2010 13:56:04 GMT -5
There may be something in milling literature about tumbling/blasting non-metal parts.
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Post by snowdog on Apr 26, 2010 21:37:45 GMT -5
you didn't say what your test were but if I was to try it , I'd prob start with some small cermanic pellets and use 800 or 1000 grit -- depends on how rough the edges were to start with ( I'm guessing that is what your wanting to smooth out ) ---- maybe even go to 1200 grit then into polish --- prob try 1/2 load pellets & 1/4 load parts -- let the pieces "swim" thu the pellets so they don't rub each other too much --- they make some small round ones that would prob work good ( get the pure white ones, they don't have any grit in them --- the gray do )
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Apr 27, 2010 10:47:59 GMT -5
For polishing I would try crushed walnut shells and a crushed one pound bar of ZAM or you might try crushed corn cob.
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RocknCritter
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 489
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Post by RocknCritter on Apr 27, 2010 21:37:29 GMT -5
Thanks for the idea of using walnut shells and ZAM. This also sounds like a good way to tumble turquoise and other soft stones.
Any ideas on how to crush ZAM? With a slegdehammer? I swear that stuff is a science project gone astray. It just happened to have some commercial value.
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Apr 27, 2010 21:50:33 GMT -5
I put it in an handkerchief or a piece of old sheet that didn't have any holes in it and beat it with a hammer. Then a sift it through a strainer and re-smash what doesn't fall through the strainer.
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