Post by Roger on Feb 9, 2014 16:44:33 GMT -5
This wrap is one of the boulder opal cabs I made last month. It is also the first time I have tried adding a patina (LOS gel) and the first time I have "tumbled" a wrap to smooth tool marks and work harden the copper.
The LOS is easy to use, but timing how long to leave it in to get the desired patina is trickier. I think I had this in three times and finally settled on 20 minutes to get this color.
I have put a patina on 45 wraps, now. Some I left a little longer others only about 10 minutes. The shorter times were to get a slightly darker than natural copper, but still have some shine on them.
I don't have a rotary tumbler any more. I used the lot-o with 3lbs stainless shot and 1lb of mixed size ceramics. I ran them for an hour with the peices in them and I had good results. Out of 75 wraps, a few pieces did need to be reshaped a little and one came apart on me.
All in all, I am very happy with the results with LOS and a vibe tumbler.
Roger
The LOS is easy to use, but timing how long to leave it in to get the desired patina is trickier. I think I had this in three times and finally settled on 20 minutes to get this color.
I have put a patina on 45 wraps, now. Some I left a little longer others only about 10 minutes. The shorter times were to get a slightly darker than natural copper, but still have some shine on them.
I don't have a rotary tumbler any more. I used the lot-o with 3lbs stainless shot and 1lb of mixed size ceramics. I ran them for an hour with the peices in them and I had good results. Out of 75 wraps, a few pieces did need to be reshaped a little and one came apart on me.
All in all, I am very happy with the results with LOS and a vibe tumbler.
Roger
