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Post by Toad on Sept 26, 2012 10:36:02 GMT -5
Grit kits I've seen online (The Rock Shed & Kingsley North) consider their pre-polish step done at either 500 or 600 grit, and then go straight to polish.
Is there value in going to 1000 or 1200 for a pre-polish - or is the difference negligible? What is the actual grit/mesh size of common polishes like aluminum oxide, tin oxide, and cerium.
There are probably differences depending on hardness of stone and what the actual polish is, but would appreciate any feedback you can provide on your experiences.
Thanks for the input!
Todd
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Sept 26, 2012 11:22:34 GMT -5
Todd, I use the ao 1000 as my prepolish on all my tumbles.But I have in the past used 500 and then polish,and it did good too.
Oops,reread! Rotaries,mines in the loto.
snuffy
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Post by parfive on Sept 26, 2012 12:58:38 GMT -5
Why you askin’ us? You wrote the article. ;D
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Post by geoff on Sept 26, 2012 13:21:49 GMT -5
I run through 1000 grit in my rotaries. Then again, I only polish soft stuff in the rotaries.
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darrad
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,636
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Post by darrad on Sept 26, 2012 13:58:03 GMT -5
I run 1000 A/O on everything. I see a lot of difference on soft stuff like Sodalite and Obsidian. I see some but not that much difference on the harder stuff. All I use are rotaries.
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Post by pghram on Sept 26, 2012 14:45:35 GMT -5
Toad,
I have used both 1000 & tripoli. I prefer the results I get with tripoli & it is very inexpensive.
Peace,
Rich
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Post by Toad on Sept 26, 2012 16:57:19 GMT -5
Why you askin’ us? You wrote the article. ;D As you know, that doesn't make me an expert. I also had a vibe at the time. Now I'm all rotary. Plus i can always learn more. Its just silly not to take advantage of all the knowledge here. Thanks for the responses so far.
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Post by parfive on Sept 26, 2012 17:28:12 GMT -5
Going back, it was probably James and his results, more than anyone, that popularized 1000 AO. But then, he raved about tripoli too. I used to run a 1000 AO stage most of the time. Nowadays I seldom never bother. I think two weeks in polish is a better use of the time.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Sept 26, 2012 22:10:06 GMT -5
I also use AO 1000 but have used a 400-1000 SC mix in the past. I do all mine in the vibe.
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Post by Toad on Sept 26, 2012 22:13:36 GMT -5
James does get good results...
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Post by susand24224 on Sept 26, 2012 22:38:51 GMT -5
Pre-Lot-O I used 1000 for anything softer than Mohs 7. I rarely used it on Mohs 7 rocks. In the vibe, I use 1000 on everything, but I've never tried skipping 1000 in the vibe.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Sept 27, 2012 0:21:01 GMT -5
Todd I have been using 600 SC. I let it run 11 days after 10 days in 240. 10 & 11 fits my work schedule so I only have to get up early once. I'm one who believes that SC breaks down to smaller size as it runs. Since I started doing this I feel like I get a better polish (2 weeks cerium). I'm glad you asked though because I've been contemplating adding a 1000 to my process. Anxiuosly awaiting the other members responses. Ken
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Dora
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2012
Posts: 252
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Post by Dora on Sept 27, 2012 1:37:01 GMT -5
Currently my last stage before polishing is mostly Tripoli. Sometimes I use SISA with delicate stones as it tends to polish them nice and fast. Dora
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
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Post by chassroc on Sept 27, 2012 11:57:03 GMT -5
I started to use 1000 AO when I worked with softer material like obsidian and sodalite etal and have mainly stuck with it...When I'm doing agate and petwood, the coarse grind is the determinant of finish...maybe the determinant for all rock! One week for other stages...usually works unless I'm mixing too many hardnesses
charlie
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Post by Toad on Sept 27, 2012 22:41:57 GMT -5
Whats's SISA?
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Sept 27, 2012 23:03:18 GMT -5
I run 1000 A/O on everything. I see a lot of difference on soft stuff like Sodalite and Obsidian. I see some but not that much difference on the harder stuff. All I use are rotaries. same here except I am just getting into using the 1000 grit... I did a lot of net searches for the labradorite I am currently tumbling in my #2 and that's when I read about using the 1000, especially for softer stones.... the standard 60/90, 120/220, 500 & polish is where everyone should start and as your experience grows you would work with more difficult stones and progress to adding the 1000 grit. I even have it running with my mixed batch, harder rock, to see how it does and I will probably use it on all softer grinds from now on too.
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Dora
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2012
Posts: 252
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Post by Dora on Sept 28, 2012 4:20:25 GMT -5
"Posted by Toad on Yesterday at 10:41pm Whats's SISA?" Hello Toad, SISA is a pre-polish that I bought a very long time ago from a store that is no longer on business (Alpha Supply). It is a very fine white powder made from silica. I don't know their specific grit size, but it is probably high because of its powdery form. In my experience it gives a very smooth finish that reduces the time needed to polish. Dora
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Post by Toad on Oct 8, 2012 11:16:11 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses all.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 21, 2012 19:17:59 GMT -5
I think 4-600 grit breaks down to basically a finer grit during the process.Probably into the 1000 range.I get a lot of messed up packages from a source and run all kinds of 4-600 SC and AO before going to AO polish.If i had 1000 i would certainly run it as cleaner after the 4-600 grit
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