dtcmor
freely admits to licking rocks
Back to lickin' rocks again!
Member since May 2006
Posts: 898
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Post by dtcmor on Jun 18, 2011 0:49:39 GMT -5
About 4 years ago, I bought a box of goodies from Snowdog, and inside was a huge slice of Agate(not really sure exactly what kind). I don't have a grinding set-up for polishing and I really didn't want to take the old hammer to a piece of stone that is so beautiful, so I started experimenting with differant methods of hand polishing with various grades of wet/dry sandpapers. When ever I had the spare time over the last 4 years, even on my lunch breaks at work, I would get it out and work on it - kind of like a 'worry stone' so to speak. Well, it's about as good as finished now with a glass-like shine, so I thought I would post a couple of pics. The slab is almost 1/2" thick and about 6" across the bottom. The bands are in colors from druzzy clear quartz to blue, with orange and browns mixed in also. The coolest part is the very thin outside edge band which is a bright orange and yellow swirl, alomst like fire in spots. Here are both sides fully polished.... Thanks for looking - hope you enjoy! Dave
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Post by paulshiroma on Jun 18, 2011 1:24:14 GMT -5
That came out great, Dave! Four years ... wow!
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jun 18, 2011 21:13:23 GMT -5
I would say it was well worth the wait & elbow grease Dave, it looks fabulous!
Nate
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Post by Roller on Jun 18, 2011 23:17:02 GMT -5
wow! now I know what to do on lunchbreaks!
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Post by roswelljero on Jun 18, 2011 23:37:57 GMT -5
Wow! You have a lot of patience! Very nice result. I'd like to hear more about the sandpapers you used... Grits? Wet? etc... Later, jeri
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pporky
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2007
Posts: 1,932
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Post by pporky on Jun 19, 2011 4:59:17 GMT -5
Well done Dave, i have only hand polished small pieces of opal and i soon tired of it I admire your persistance on a polish well done. Bill
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Jun 19, 2011 9:05:39 GMT -5
Your Agate is beautiful. I used to hand polish Amber and I forgot what I did. I recently found a rather crummy piece of Petoskey Stone I couldn't sell and I experimented with it. I did a lot of rough grinding on the 80 grit silicon carbide wheel before I went to the hand sand/polish with wet/dry sandpaper. I didn't have a good selection of sandpapers. It's the WalMart assortment, too lazy to check the box right now but I think it goes from 220 to 400 or so for the cheapo wet/dry stuff. Of course, this Petoskey Stone was not good enough quality to invest TOO much time and sweat. Once I had it halfway decent, I put it on a thong so it could be "worn" by a native American style vase someone gave me.
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dtcmor
freely admits to licking rocks
Back to lickin' rocks again!
Member since May 2006
Posts: 898
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Post by dtcmor on Jun 19, 2011 10:53:37 GMT -5
Thanks guys for the compliments! Jeri - the sand paper I use is just ordinary wet/dry from Walmart - the black grit - and I usually buy the combo pack with 3 grit sheets in it. 200, 320 and 400 I believe is how they come. It is the kind used for drywall sanding and it can be used wet or dry. I put a little water on the piece of stone and just go to town in a circular motion. The only problem is that the sandpaper loses its texture and gets pretty thin - by the end of its life, a 200 grit piece is about 1000, but I save them for finish work to help get a better shine. I have also experimented with using soda pop(pepsi, coke and sprite) instead of water towards the end for a great shine - there is something about the acid and sugar in the soda that really brings out a good glossy finish - of course you have to clean the piece often with water, as it gets a little sticky if it dries out. I have used this method on other types of stones, such as picture jaspers and petoskey stones, and it works well on them too. This method takes a really long time - this one was about 200-400 hours total I would guess, over about a 4 year period. Thats why I kinda call them my 'worry stones' - something to do when there's nothing to do - it is very relaxing - except for the occasional cramp in the thumbs - lol Peachfront - I do petoskey stones this way as well - and they turn out great. I can usually whip a small slab out in just a couple of hours by hand sanding with water alone. I love the piece that you have shown - it turned out fantastic!!
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Post by tanyafrench on Jun 19, 2011 12:50:00 GMT -5
Dave, that is wonderful! You did a great job on a very pretty Agate. 200-400 hours, it would appear you worried a lot. lol
Tanya
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Jun 19, 2011 13:52:49 GMT -5
I'm going to try that suggestion of the soda pop to improve the polish the next time I work on one of these...Thanks a lot for the details, it's really helpful.
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Post by mohs on Jun 19, 2011 14:50:51 GMT -5
fabulous big stone and a great project well well done! Ed
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Post by roswelljero on Jun 25, 2011 20:46:55 GMT -5
Thanks for the info Dave! I may try it on something soft. Later, jeri
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