rockhobby73
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2012
Posts: 2
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Post by rockhobby73 on Dec 27, 2012 15:03:43 GMT -5
I purchased 3 slabs last week on eBay (1 Bumblebee Jasper (Indonesia), 1 African Tiger Eye & 1 Arizona Tiger Iron), I would appreciate any information on cutting/polishing these rocks. I can't afford a lap saw, but I do have a Dremel, can those be used with the right type of blade? Would I be able to just put these in a rock tumbler since the machines are well within my budget? Or do they have to be cut into several small pieces before I put them in. I guess I should've done my research before purchasing these slabs, but I didn't wanna pass them up as they look outstanding when wet. I've attached the links to the images below. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. Frank www.flickr.com/photos/40099027@N03/8305896540/www.flickr.com/photos/40099027@N03/8305894392/
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Post by deb193redux on Dec 27, 2012 18:38:18 GMT -5
I do not think small (inexpensive+ tumblers will help much. it is possible to hand polish with grits on a plate of glass, also you might be able to buff with the dremel after 220 and 600g on a lap plate.
bumblee is soft and might give problems.
tigereye can be difficult, depending on how well silicified and if any fibers break loose.
if the slabs are more than 2x2 the smaller/cheaper rotary tumblers will not work. also, whether rotary or vibe, there is extra steps (i.e., ceramic media) when tumbling flats.
if you want display slabs, hand polish and buff. You can use dremel to grind any corner numbs, then sand to 600g on a plate, then buff w/ Dremel and some oxide polish.
if you want pieces to make things with, then break up the slabs with an inexpensive tile saw and/or tile nibblers. then tumble in a vibe tumbler.
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rockhobby73
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2012
Posts: 2
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Post by rockhobby73 on Dec 28, 2012 16:17:02 GMT -5
Thanks for your input! For right now, I think I'll start off by cleaning up the edges and polish them for display.
I did a searched for "lap plates" on Google lastnight, but came up empty, then I tried Amazon and found 1 item which is affordable ($169). Do you know where else I could try?
I can get a tile saw/nibblers along with sandpaper and accessories for the Dremel at my job (Lowe's).
Thanks again,
Frank
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Post by deb193redux on Dec 28, 2012 23:46:04 GMT -5
I don't know what they had for $169. One that machine metal are much more.
For lapidary slabs, get several plates of glass, and some grits, and put one grit on each. Glas form the local frame shop. Grits from a tumbler supply place.
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