roundrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Holding on to the Stone of Destiny
Member since June 2014
Posts: 91
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Post by roundrock on Jul 3, 2014 19:49:58 GMT -5
Folks, I've cut a few small preforms but want to tumble polish them instead of cabbing. I'm hoping to use them in a couple of gift earring sets where the stone is free hanging instead of in a setting. The problem is that at present I do not have a vibe, just a rotary tumbler (Lortone 45). The stones are fairly smooth (from a slab), so at what stage of tumbling should I insert them? Should I go ahead and start at the rough stage, put them in at 120/220 or at pre-polish?
Thanks for the advice Donny
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Post by pghram on Jul 3, 2014 20:00:06 GMT -5
I used to do a few in a 3lb. After preforming I started them in 120\220. Just a few w/ lots of other stones.
Rich
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roundrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Holding on to the Stone of Destiny
Member since June 2014
Posts: 91
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Post by roundrock on Jul 3, 2014 20:01:56 GMT -5
Thanks Rich. I've got a batch of others going now in the rough stage.
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roundrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Holding on to the Stone of Destiny
Member since June 2014
Posts: 91
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Post by roundrock on Jul 3, 2014 20:02:51 GMT -5
Thanks Rich. I've got a batch of others going now in the rough stage. Pet wood and jasper, not preforms.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Jul 3, 2014 22:37:49 GMT -5
Maybe it's just me but I tried preforms in a rotary with fine grind grit, 110/220 and it was pretty much a disaster. In only two or three days the edge contours of the stone were pretty much ruined. The rounds especially were extremely irregular and the ovals not much better. Had plenty of smalls for filler too. That's why I bought a vibe for tumble cabs. Fine grind in a vibe changes contours very little except some undercutting does occur, especially if you make your fine grind run more than a couple of days.....Mel
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roundrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Holding on to the Stone of Destiny
Member since June 2014
Posts: 91
|
Post by roundrock on Jul 4, 2014 6:28:21 GMT -5
Thanks Sabre. The vibe is my next purchase but was hoping I could get these 4 stones done in a rotary so I could meet birthday gift dates. I've read a good bit about how most folks use the vibe and know I have to have one. Hopefully within the next 2-3 weeks........
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