Post by Mazanec on May 2, 2004 9:42:05 GMT -5
Well, after 5 more days of tumbling with 60/90
(following 1 and 3 days) I got something that looks fairly
good. I like stones that still have a trace of their original
shape, rather than just being spheroids, so these are often
close to what I am looking for ("biomorphs" floating in water
instead of eggs, balls and pillows). The color looked great
when they were wet, I'll see what they are dry and unpolished.
Many are nearly transparent (are these the flint or the agate?)
especially if they are thin and flat. I plan to sort them into
three parts, kinda like Gaul. One part are the tiny ones,
which I will buid up in quantity over time till I have enough
to do the fine grit and polish on, then use to try to learn
baroque jewelry (need lot of pieces for trial and many errors).
A second will be pieces ready for fine grit, and a third will
be stones for a second course grit attempt to remove those
tiny pores and creases. Depending on what I end up with,
I may just use one barrel.
I am still trying to recover from my overtightened lid.
I have cleaned nearly all of the clay, but I still find a
spot or streak now and then. I cleaned the barrels several
times over, looking at the light reflections on the wet
insides. Had a time cleaning them, especially along that
screwball looking decagon rim (I'm sure Lortone has a good
reason for the shape). I cleaned the big stones with a
toothbrush and rolled and rubbed the tiny ones in running water
after "panning" the barrels and pouring the dirty water
into a basin a few times. I plan to just use the toothbrush
on the course grit results.
Well, how does my technique sound? I will just go straight
to the fine grit for 5 or 6 days when the course gritting
is done (Dave suggested that) and then cerium oxide polish.
But I so want to show my aunt what I have so far that I will
wait until Tuesday (besides, I am out of course grit anyway
and have to order more).
(following 1 and 3 days) I got something that looks fairly
good. I like stones that still have a trace of their original
shape, rather than just being spheroids, so these are often
close to what I am looking for ("biomorphs" floating in water
instead of eggs, balls and pillows). The color looked great
when they were wet, I'll see what they are dry and unpolished.
Many are nearly transparent (are these the flint or the agate?)
especially if they are thin and flat. I plan to sort them into
three parts, kinda like Gaul. One part are the tiny ones,
which I will buid up in quantity over time till I have enough
to do the fine grit and polish on, then use to try to learn
baroque jewelry (need lot of pieces for trial and many errors).
A second will be pieces ready for fine grit, and a third will
be stones for a second course grit attempt to remove those
tiny pores and creases. Depending on what I end up with,
I may just use one barrel.
I am still trying to recover from my overtightened lid.
I have cleaned nearly all of the clay, but I still find a
spot or streak now and then. I cleaned the barrels several
times over, looking at the light reflections on the wet
insides. Had a time cleaning them, especially along that
screwball looking decagon rim (I'm sure Lortone has a good
reason for the shape). I cleaned the big stones with a
toothbrush and rolled and rubbed the tiny ones in running water
after "panning" the barrels and pouring the dirty water
into a basin a few times. I plan to just use the toothbrush
on the course grit results.
Well, how does my technique sound? I will just go straight
to the fine grit for 5 or 6 days when the course gritting
is done (Dave suggested that) and then cerium oxide polish.
But I so want to show my aunt what I have so far that I will
wait until Tuesday (besides, I am out of course grit anyway
and have to order more).