cgrashel
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2013
Posts: 22
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Post by cgrashel on Mar 13, 2013 23:28:34 GMT -5
From the directions from Jugglerguy. Can this be correct? Doesn't seem like enough but I haven't had a good batch from anything else I have done. Just need some validation. Thanks!
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Mar 13, 2013 23:56:43 GMT -5
Most of the comments I've seen over the years is 1 tsp.1/2 works too from what I've seen.Jugglerguys batches turn out fine.I overkill 1000 and polish in my Lotos,but I save the polish in a container to use again.I guess folks will think I'm crazy,but I use a tbsp of each in mine. Really no need for that much.But thats me!
snuffy
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cgrashel
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2013
Posts: 22
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Post by cgrashel on Mar 13, 2013 23:59:58 GMT -5
Thank you. I am becoming obsessed with this tumbling, trying to get a good batch!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2013 0:04:49 GMT -5
CG, listen to snuffy. Dude makes lots of very beautiful stones with polish better than wet!
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cardiobill
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 881
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Post by cardiobill on Mar 14, 2013 8:42:08 GMT -5
Listen to snuffy but I only use 1/2 tsp of 500 and polish and it seems to work fine. Usually they are pretty shiny even before the polish step. I do burnish with borax 1tsp and ground up ivory soap bar 1tsp before polish. I'm always amazed at the shine after burnishing and before polish
Bill
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Mar 14, 2013 8:53:07 GMT -5
Perhaps a good thing to do is start out using 1/2 tsp,and the next batch try a tsp,to see if any difference.I dont want to influence anyone to use more than necessary just because I do.There are many different tumbling variations used by the members,trial and error is part of the fun.Good thing about it,if they dont come out right,you can run them back through the stages.Keep in mind that some rocks will hardly ever get a shine.I have bags of material I have given up on.
snuffy
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 14, 2013 9:12:02 GMT -5
I follow the one teaspoon recipe with my 2.5 lb. Gy-Roc. Looks like too much polish when it runs. If you have a dedicated polish bowl it wouldn't matter as you can keep using it. I'll try 1/2 next time. Vibe tumblers use a lot less than rotaries.
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cgrashel
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2013
Posts: 22
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Post by cgrashel on Mar 14, 2013 10:04:06 GMT -5
Well I started the 500 grit process yesterday with 1/2 tsp. 500 and a teaspoon of dreft. Around 4:00. Didn't seem like enough anything. When I checked first thing this morning rocks are tumbling nicely with a thin white coating. Seems to be working. I have run and rerun some of these and some are from a new batch. I always have a nice smooth surface but can't get beyond a matte finish. Jugglerguy was nice enough to share his recipe with me, and I have followed it to the t to this point. So I will trust and continue on. I am tumbling granite cutoff pieces. I owned a granite countertop company and had endless amounts of these pieces. I know they will take an awesome polish with diamond pads, but am amazed that I can't get a decent shine on these after weeks in the rotary tumblers. Or even the vibe. I have even wondered out loud to my husband, if I should find a diamond polishing powder. The funny thing is the first batch I ever did a year and a half ago, came out beautifully polished in a cheap rotary tumbler from Harbor Freight, using the box of grit I bought from them. Contamination is not the issue. Now I have 9 tumblers, and the vibe and haven't gotten a shine. Thanks for all the input. I will keep everyone updated!
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 14, 2013 10:38:12 GMT -5
Are you using ceramic or other media?
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Post by Jugglerguy on Mar 14, 2013 10:49:20 GMT -5
cgrashel, you keep giving me credit for that recipe, but I got if from Connrock. I was just passing it along. It's worked really well for me.
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Post by susand24224 on Mar 14, 2013 14:21:11 GMT -5
I follow Connrock's recipe as well--1/2 tsp. does the job for me. However, I use Dreft, and less than a tsp. But I have a water softener, and using a lot of any soap, etc. leaves a film because of it.
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cgrashel
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2013
Posts: 22
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Post by cgrashel on Mar 15, 2013 0:39:08 GMT -5
Sorry Rob. I appreciate the help and recipe from you and from Connrock. So nice of him to share! I have to say I am astounded at what 1/2 tsp of grit produces in the lot-o. Things are looking good so I am hopeful for the first time in a long time. I am anxious to wash them tomorrow to see the progress. Just one question. After you add the tripoli do you run another two days? 19 days total in the lot-o?
Thank you to everyone who has added input and shared their formulas!
Connie
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cgrashel
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2013
Posts: 22
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Post by cgrashel on Mar 15, 2013 0:42:18 GMT -5
Oh and according to Connrocks recipe via Rob I am using ceramic media. About 50%.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Mar 15, 2013 6:13:10 GMT -5
I don't run 19 days, I go about 10 days, sometimes longer. I run for two days after adding tripoli. I use 1/2 tsp of all grits except 220. I use two TABLESPOONS of 220.
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cgrashel
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2013
Posts: 22
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Post by cgrashel on Mar 15, 2013 6:33:20 GMT -5
That 19 days was a typo. Should have been 10. That is what I get for posting from my phone at 1 am. I did us 2 Tablespoons of 220. That is what has me questioning the 1/2 teaspoon. Just didn't seem like it could possibly be enough. Boy was I wrong. I am astounded at the amount of slurry produces from such a tiny amount of grit. Thank you again and for sharing Connrocks recipe!
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cgrashel
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2013
Posts: 22
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Post by cgrashel on Mar 15, 2013 6:35:25 GMT -5
Should have said use instead of us and had instead of has. Again with the phone!
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cgrashel
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2013
Posts: 22
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Post by cgrashel on Mar 18, 2013 16:35:47 GMT -5
Four days to go and looking good. Just an update.
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Mattatya
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2012
Posts: 452
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Post by Mattatya on Mar 18, 2013 17:59:43 GMT -5
With the obsidian polish I did recently I only used 1/2 teaspoon of cerium for 3 days and came out great.
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cgrashel
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2013
Posts: 22
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Post by cgrashel on Mar 21, 2013 20:50:00 GMT -5
Just finished 1st day of polish and starting to see a haze. Almost looks like soap film. Any ideas?
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Post by susand24224 on Mar 21, 2013 22:08:15 GMT -5
What kind of rocks are you tumbling? Is there soap in the barrel? How much? Do you have a water softener? I can't use more than about 1/2 tsp of Dreft when the water softener is in use--but when it runs out of salt I can use a lot more without getting a haze.
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