unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Apr 13, 2011 10:14:57 GMT -5
Hi everyone, These will be my stupid nube questions for today?
I saw some small slabs of ocean jaspar, rain forest jaspar and some other really nice pieces. These slabs are small maybe 5 or 6" by 4" by 1/4" thick but they have such beautiful markings. I guess one would cut and tumble them. Is that right? Or are these type of pieces worked with differently? My strategy was to collect these really nice type of individual pieces as they come up while in the meantime learning and perfecting my tumbling technique with the less expensive more common varieties. Than when I have acquired enough of the really nice pieces to fill a barrel I could tumble them. By that time I would hope to know what I am doing. Does this strategy make sence?
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Post by susand24224 on Apr 13, 2011 11:14:25 GMT -5
Yes and no. Slabs can be beautiful tumbled, and if that is the way you want to "process" them that is fine. But--you can't just fill a barrel with them. I often tumble end cuts (the first and last pieces when a rock is slabbed that still have the rough rock on the back), but there are only so many you can put in. If you put in too many, the grit doesn't get evenly distributed throughout and you will have a very difficult time getting them smooth and even more difficult getting them polished evenly.
To rotary tumble slabs, put about an inch of small "rounder" pieces in, then a single layer of slabs, then another inch or two of "rounder" rocks, then another layer, etc.
There is a risk that your slab may crack from all the tumbler action, but if it is stable to begin with (can you see any internal fractures?) they should come through okay.
Now if you happen to have a vibratory tumbler, please ignore this. I have no expertise whatsoever with vibes.
Susan
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Post by 150FromFundy on Apr 13, 2011 13:59:27 GMT -5
I find small slabs do better in a vibe tumbler (UV-10) than a small rotray (AR-2). Some of this is due to more space in the vibe, but some is due to the action of the vibe.
The flats on slabs tend to stick together so you need a lot of rounded material, or a lot of pellets.
Cut shapes (preforms) will finish much quicker than slabs with a naturally rough edge. Cut shapes (preforms) with a ground edge will finish much quicker than cut shapes with a rough saw cut edge.
Assuming that you have the tumbler(s), your next move should be to get a wet tile saw to cut shapes (preforms) followed by a small ginder (Gryphon or Inland).
Darryl.
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Apr 13, 2011 14:48:43 GMT -5
Hey,unclestu. For the last couple of months about all I've been polishing are slabs. I put a load in a lortone qt12, 1 charge of coarse,and let run 2 weeks. Then 3 days in 1000 in the lot-o,then 3 days polish in it. The slabs I do have a smooth saw cut.I limit the size slab I polish to a maximum of 2 inches by 4 inches, 2 inches being the max size I can place through the top of the lot-o. Works well for me.The loads I do are mostly all slabs,not much else added.
snuffy
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Apr 13, 2011 15:14:05 GMT -5
Thanks Susan,Daryl and Suffy, I am ordering both a rotary and a vibe (UV10). Now I should look into getting a tile saw and a grinder. Any sugestions on a tile saw? Other than the tile saw and grinder, what else would you suggest in the way of equpment to start out with?
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Apr 13, 2011 16:43:03 GMT -5
Hi Stu,
I polish slabs that will fit through through the Lot"O" top they come out well
If you cut larger pieces you can Vibro Lap them , the edges are natural and rough but the faces are polished
I would hesitate in putting slabs in a rotary as the tumbling action could smash and fracture the slabs, ( just my oppinion )
Tile saw Some people use one from the local stores over there , But as it is the blade that cuts so they buy a proffesional blade
use the saw backwards or you will get drowned ! ! !
Jack Yorkshire uk
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