mikeinsjc
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by mikeinsjc on Mar 16, 2014 11:24:55 GMT -5
Here's my process; 60/90 in a rotary for 2 weeks In a big vibratory, I do 220# for one day, 600 for two days, 800 aluminum oxide for two days, TXP for one day. I use ceramic pellets from 600 on.
Here's my problem; I great a great polish. Except, any stone that has a flat surface ends up with a matte finish- obviously these surfaces aren't receiving enough polishing action. If I have a stone with a flat on one side and the other side is rounded, the rounded surface looks beautiful. Any suggestions? I was thinking of retumbling the matte stones starting at 800#, and maybe using small plastic pellets.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Mar 16, 2014 12:59:26 GMT -5
I haven't done a ton of slabs in my vibratory tumbler, but from what I've heard, you need extra ceramic to keep them from sticking together. Plastic pellets don't work in vibratory tumblers, so stick with ceramic.
I'm confused about adding ceramic starting at 600. Why don't you use them as soon as you go to the vibe? How is there room for them at that point? My vibe is a Lot-O, and it is supposed to be filled up, so I'd either have to remove something to get the ceramic in, or I wouldn't be using very much ceramic at all. I start out at 220 with about 30% ceramic and it stays with the rocks for the rest of the time.
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Mar 16, 2014 13:19:15 GMT -5
You need a higher proportion of smaller stones without flats and longer run times top get a polish on the flats.
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