carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Oct 17, 2012 20:10:42 GMT -5
I took out the obsidian after 7 days in 500 grit. Both barrels had been loaded to about 60%. The obsidian looked pretty good to the naked eye but I can see what is probably some frosting on the edges, perhaps due to the barrels not being filled to the 75% mark. I filled one barrel to 75% (combined obsidian and tile spacers) and set aside the rest of the obsidian for later. I added recycled polish and fresh polish, AO. Here's the whole batch: This close up shows what my naked eye could not see; frost on the edges. I will check this load in 7 days to see how it's doing but I am targeting about 10 days per my normal polish step. Have a great week!
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Post by paulshiroma on Oct 17, 2012 21:49:57 GMT -5
I just put mine in 500 AO this last weekend as well. Yours, frankly, look a lot better. I had some slabs and end pieces in there that ended up getting chips along the edging. I use tile spacers like you but they still ended up with some small chips.
Looking forward to seeing how yours turn out. Paul
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jason12x12
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 798
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Post by jason12x12 on Oct 18, 2012 1:27:42 GMT -5
they do look really great
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Oct 18, 2012 19:20:57 GMT -5
I added about 2 cups of smalls to the remaining obsidian in the second barrel. The smalls have a nice polish and are mostly agates. I pulled out any chipped stones or dull finishes. I figured (that figuring is always getting me in trouble) that if some folks can get such a fine polish with ceramic for cushioning I may be able to succeed with polished smalls and tile spacers. We'll see in about 10 days.
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Post by beefjello on Oct 18, 2012 19:23:49 GMT -5
Those are shaping up nice Carlos!
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Dora
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2012
Posts: 252
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Post by Dora on Oct 20, 2012 16:53:06 GMT -5
Great shapes, they are all so nicely rounded and smooth. I bet they will be a real knockout!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,275
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Post by jamesp on Nov 4, 2012 20:02:04 GMT -5
Is frosting on the edges the same as surface cracks?Like real shallow cracks that have to be ground off.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 6, 2012 16:12:12 GMT -5
those look realling nice, cant wait to see them after polish! chuck
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Nov 7, 2012 20:08:47 GMT -5
I pulled them out Monday after 20+ days. They are kinda shiny but not that nice glossy finish others have achieved. I'll post pictures as soon as I get home early enough to beat the sunset or take pictures on Saturday. The frosting on the edges became more evident. You'll see soon. I may try something Jamesp mentioned in a recent post. I will thicken the water in the barrel but instead of sugar I may try dish soap. Any way, pictures to follow soon.
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Post by paulshiroma on Nov 7, 2012 20:16:04 GMT -5
Aahh! That was like a season finale on a TV show... I have to wait until this weekend
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,275
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Post by jamesp on Nov 8, 2012 18:05:40 GMT -5
Newspaper is another thickener Carlos.Soap scares me because of pressure build up.The sugar is better lubricant than thickener.And the newspaper needs to run a while till it breaks up to determine how thick(or thin) and if you need to add more or take away.I have heard if you can do obsidian you can tumble anything.
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