SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Mar 11, 2015 19:15:55 GMT -5
I'm using a Thumler's UV-10 to run various hard stuff like agates and jasper.
Coarse grind in the rollers, then 2 days in 220, 2 days in 600, and then it takes a week to achieve a polish, maybe 10 days.
I hear some people saying they get a polish in two days.
I'm not new to tumbling, and think I'm doing most things right. No mixing hardness, nice size mix, lots and lots of smalls, good slurry consistency, good cleanout btw stages, running borax after the 600, separate bowl for polish, all that stuff. And this is rounds, mind you, not even flats, those take longer.
The polish is great when it does arrive, but when some folks claim to do it in two days, it makes me curious as to what I'm doing wrong.
Comments? Any help by the vibe veterans out there would be most appreciated!
SirRoxalot
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 11, 2015 20:01:16 GMT -5
sure sounds like your doing everything right. How do your rocks look after your 2 day run in 600? Are your rocks looking worse after 2 days in polish then they did after 2 days in 600? I did some test photos with a mixed hardness batch right after 4 days in 500 grit recently. I normally only run 2 days in 500 but this was an experimental batch. I did end up putting these in 1000 grit and polish after but honestly could not see much difference after. The only thing I will mention is that I use a large amount of ceramics in my batches. vibe tumbler after 4 days of 500 grittake notice that even the softer rhyolite took a shine while tumbling with Lake superior agates. Chuck
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Post by Jugglerguy on Mar 11, 2015 20:15:52 GMT -5
I usually run a polish stage for 2-3 days. I run my other stages for 2-3 days also. As Chuck said, my rocks look pretty darn good after 500. I don't really notice much difference between the1000 stage and polish. The thing I see that I'm doing different is using 1 tablespoon of borax in each stage fo my vibratory tumbling. I also wash between all stages with borax. Are you using borax or soap with your grits and polish? Thee other difference is that Chuck and I use Lot-Os, but that shouldn't matter.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 11, 2015 20:23:23 GMT -5
I usually run a polish stage for 2-3 days. I run my other stages for 2-3 days also. As Chuck said, my rocks look pretty darn good after 500. I don't really notice much difference between the1000 stage and polish. The thing I see that I'm doing different is using 1 tablespoon of borax in each stage fo my vibratory tumbling. I also wash between all stages with borax. Are you using borax or soap with your grits and polish? Thee other difference is that Chuck and I use Lot-Os, but that shouldn't matter. I missed that part but yes I also use 1 tablespoon of borax in each stage (except 120/220). I do not do the borax wash at the end of each stage though I use dawn dish soap and extra water for about 15 minutes before my clean outs. Chuck
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Post by Jugglerguy on Mar 12, 2015 11:54:25 GMT -5
Really? I always do two washes and get dirty water for the first one and cleaner water after the second one. I'm not sure there's any large grit in either, but I feel it's worth the extra effort. Now that I hear that you don't, Chuck, I'm wondering if it's necessary. You must rinse yours very carefully.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 12, 2015 12:33:44 GMT -5
Yep. After the 15 minute run with dawn dish soap and extra water I then dump that into my colander and rinse the rocks off into my sludge bucket. Then I fill a white tupperware bowl full of hot water and rinse the rocks in there a few times emptying and refilling the water as needed until the water, rocks and bowl are clean. My way may be more labor but saves putting the rocks back in the barrel for hours and saves a little borax too I suppose. No right way or wrong just many different ways. Right jamesp , LOL Chuck
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Mar 12, 2015 12:51:49 GMT -5
The rocks look, and more importantly, I think, feel, perfect going into the polish. Silky smooth and yummy.
I'm thinking about trying four days in 500, without recharging grit? Or perhaps the problem is contamination of my 10+ year old stash of ten pounds of AlO polish.
I'm also surprised that you guys are doing so much cleaning between stages. I was under the impression that it wasn't necessary in vibes, which was a big attraction. I drain slurry, put the rocks into a colander, clean the bowl and lid, and then rinse the stones by the handful back into the bowl. And do at least a few hours of "burnishing" in borax and liquid soap before polish.
I don't add borax to every stage, used to but it didn't do much and I don't understand what it's supposed to do. Usually do put in a dash of liquid soap.
I remain puzzled but hopeful. Many thanks for any suggestions.
Splurged on a new motor for Big Bertha. Want her rolling a full 6 barrel/72 pounds again.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 12, 2015 12:59:15 GMT -5
I'm thinking about trying four days in 500, without recharging grit? I remain puzzled but hopeful. Many thanks for any suggestions. Splurged on a new motor for Big Bertha. Want her rolling a full 6 barrel/72 pounds again. My posted link above was showing that batch after 4 straight days in 500 with no recharge. I would certainly try some new A/O (rockshed A/O is VERY reliable) and it would not hurt to have some 1000 pre-polish on hand while your ordering. Chuck
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,563
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Post by jamesp on Mar 12, 2015 14:08:16 GMT -5
Washing that Borax off was tripping me out because it felt like it had a film.
I set some aside and let them dry after a good cleaning.
Then I cleaned the rest longer using 'spot free' dish wash soap.
Neither left spots. But both were still with a slight slick film, not squeaky when wet.
I got your hint Chuck, ha, I just try stuff. I think the Borax is better in that it is quicker. Maybe an edge on final shine too.
Yes, I have had other AO 500 or 600 and it was no where as near as good as Rock Shed's. 1000 and 14,000 is also good stuff.
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Mar 12, 2015 16:52:14 GMT -5
Hrm, took some time to load so I just now noticed that photo of your batch after 4 days in 500.
That is very interesting. No need for a polish step. Nice savings on time.
Thanks all for your input!
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Mar 12, 2015 17:16:36 GMT -5
Use my 18 lb. mach for polishing cabs. My last grind on the cabs is done with a 120 grit wheel. First grind in vibro is with 220 grit, second 400 grit, 3rd grind is with 600 grit , 4th grind is prepolish ?? grit size unknown, these steps are 24 hour runs. For final polish I use TXP polish available from Minnesota Lapidary Supply, let this run for 24 to 48 hours and the rocks are usually done in 24 I believe as I usually put them in on a Friday afternoon and do clean up on Sunday when I get home from fishing on the Mississippi River.In between grits I use a jet nozzle , high pressure, with rocks and ceramic media in a large rectangle plastic strainer, size 18 in X 24 in. I always fill the 18 lb. vibe full even if there are only 10 or 12 cabs in the load. That way I always get the same force and pressure on the bottom of the load and the results do not vary whatsoever . I do not use Borax in the loads, I use Dawn Antibacterial Apple scented dish soap to knock down any Bacterial business going on and keeps the pressure down inside the tub. Nothing magic about the Apple scent, I just like that smell when I pop the lid off. I add the dish soap BEFORE the grit and let the load run for a few minutes so the grit sticks as soon as it makes contact and starts working immediately. After the run is done, I have to run the ceramic media with a couple cups of Garnet sand to take the polish off the Ceramic media because it takes a polish just like the rest of the load and will NOT remove the burrs and razor edges from the metal parts I originally intended to use them for. (Fine print)--- Using a smaller tub may give lots different results resulting in more time per grit size! The Ceramic I use is the same material Crock Sticks are made from Its called Novaculite in its raw form, not sure about that spelling. When using the T.X.P. final polish, you only use 1/3 as much to get the best results.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 12, 2015 17:20:38 GMT -5
Hrm, took some time to load so I just now noticed that photo of your batch after 4 days in 500. That is very interesting. No need for a polish step. Nice savings on time. Thanks all for your input! here is a link to the thread about that batch with a couple of closeup photos too. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/69221/test-teaseChuck
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Mar 13, 2015 12:10:05 GMT -5
Just occurred to me that my other vibe, a little vibrasonic, takes the same time to get a polish. So it's not the machine!
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