darstcreek77
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2011
Posts: 673
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Post by darstcreek77 on May 17, 2011 8:48:20 GMT -5
I went throght the 80 grit 220, 500 now the polishing stage after 4 days they are dull duller the when I put them in >> whats wrong they are in a vibe and smooth as can be !!!!!!!!!
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on May 17, 2011 9:22:31 GMT -5
I'm still a newb, but I've been using 1000 grit AO for a prepolish. Also burnish w/ borax after each step. Mine come out of the polish after a week, looking like mirrors.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on May 17, 2011 10:18:53 GMT -5
I found that AO 800 or 1000 was key to getting good shine in my vibe, along with making sure the bowl was fully loaded.
Chuck
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Post by Toad on May 17, 2011 10:22:54 GMT -5
What are you trying to polish?
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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 May 17, 2011 15:26:10 GMT -5
I'm still a newb, but I've been using 1000 grit AO for a prepolish. Also burnish w/ borax after each step. Mine come out of the polish after a week, looking like mirrors. LETS SEE SOME PICTURES OF THOSE PRETTY MIRRORS ;D
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 17, 2011 16:29:29 GMT -5
Hi
Now let us also know What were they like befor you Started ??
broken rock ?
Smooth pebles ?
There is a lot of variables here
Jack Yorkshire uk
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on May 17, 2011 21:24:16 GMT -5
Yeah, sounds like you need a prepolish before your final polish stage. I like tripoli. It's inexpensive and works well for me.....Mel
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Post by cpdad on May 17, 2011 22:01:31 GMT -5
uncle are you talking to yourself ?....kev.
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amyk
fully equipped rock polisher
I'm a slabber, I'm a cabber, I'm a midnight wrapper.
Member since January 2010
Posts: 1,331
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Post by amyk on May 17, 2011 22:08:19 GMT -5
I have the same problem with my vibe. polishing agates preforms. They come out of the polish stage with an orange peel like look. they were smoother than that in the previous stage.
next time I will try adding some more rounded stones to the batch and do each stage longer. will that help? I already add ceramic bits and use a clean bowl reserved only for the last stage for polishing.
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Post by Roller on May 17, 2011 22:21:15 GMT -5
lol - i think so !
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darstcreek77
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2011
Posts: 673
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Post by darstcreek77 on May 18, 2011 0:09:07 GMT -5
Hi Now let us also know What were they like befor you Started ?? broken rock ? Smooth pebles ? There is a lot of variables here Jack Yorkshire uk
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darstcreek77
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2011
Posts: 673
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Post by darstcreek77 on May 18, 2011 0:12:57 GMT -5
thev pcs I am trying to polish some are broken ,some jagged some cads some smooth cut SQs ,hard rocks .
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 18, 2011 1:14:03 GMT -5
Hi Sounds like your rushing it a bit, take it easy these rocks have been around for millions of years ! ! ! ;D I always Rotary tumble 1st stage 80 Grit as most other people do on RTH I give mine the Conrock treatment 220 G 48 hours , *400G 24hrs * *600 G 24hrs* Burnish and wash 36 to 48 Hrs 1000 G 48 Hrs ++Tripoly Added 24 Hours ++Polish Added 48 Hours Wash and dry This recepie uses the Overlapping method This is a good recepie Notes* the Conrock recepie uses 500 Grit here I havent any that's why I use 400 & 600 I could probally get away with using 600 only ++ Not washed just added to 1000 G, then polish added to the mixture Also Im on doing a test batch now (Wash and Burnish stage ) I will post when finished Jack Yorkshire uk
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darstcreek77
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2011
Posts: 673
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Post by darstcreek77 on May 18, 2011 7:38:38 GMT -5
each stage got 3 to 3 1/2 days except the polish got 4 days .will try tripolie
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on May 18, 2011 14:28:37 GMT -5
I just ran my first batch all the way through using only the same machine, the Chicago vibe. I started to use ceramics as suggested but then saw where the ceramic needed to be run through an entire routine to break them in. So I put plastic pellets back in. I used Borax in every charge of grit also. I ran 4 days in 220, 2.5 days in 600, 2.5 days in 1000 and then to Raybrite A polish which I let run 5 days. These tones have such a deep shine to them that they almost look and feel like plastic because of the smoothness and shine. This is a small sample from the load. But I had the same problem with some cabs and preforms not taking a shine. I always add some small pebbles to my load and reuse them. So I had a good mix in sizes and shapes. Some slices also did not shine up. I may try buffing them with a felt pad on my Dremel with some polish. I have no idea on what else to do because some of these have been tumble polished and vibe polished to no avail. But I ove the results I got doing what I just did. Min. of 1 tablespoon of Borax to each grit charge. It may be the secret additive needed in polishing. Attachments:
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Post by frane on May 18, 2011 20:47:17 GMT -5
Take a step or two back in the process. Sounds like you may have a tad bit too much water and maybe not enough material. They need all sizes of stone or filler in order to make constant contact on all sides of the stones. Ceramics can be ran by themselves for a few hours and they are good to go. Run them with a pinch of ivory snow or other gentle detergent, enough water so they move rapidly but do not build up a bunch of suds as they soften their edges. (Damp but not soaked). You can do it! Fran The best thing about rocks is if you are not satisfied first time, you can redo or add to other loads. The borax or ivory snow in between loads really helps to clear all hidden grit out so you can continue. I rarely run rough that has broken edges or angles in the vibe but if I do, it needs to run a lot longer than a few days. I suspect with this batch, the rougher stones may be keeping your smoothed ones from shining like they should.
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