bunnybunnybun
starting to shine!
Discovering my cooking is like tumbling. Both result in inedible rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 42
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Post by bunnybunnybun on Nov 27, 2016 10:04:12 GMT -5
Update: Pulled them out of Polishing. They're so smooth. As said earlier, a few may have some divots or light cracks, but running your finger over them you can't feel them. Pondering if a bit more polish is needed, or move on to burnishing. Because they so need burnishing. Below is a side-by-side comparison of one of them fully dry, and wetted with just a few drops of water. Update: Decided to run it in polish again, just in case. This time I also added a glob of golden syrup to the slurry as it was suggested earlier
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huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by huskeric on Nov 28, 2016 9:44:19 GMT -5
The Lot-O was easily the best purchase I have made in terms of this hobby. I got a decent shine out of the rotary after literally months of trying, and then the Lot-O came into my life, and it was almost like magic. I have family members asking for rocks now, and these are people who were so disinterested in this hobby when I started, they couldn't even PRETEND to care. (They're currently LAST in line for any of my rocks, fwiw). =)
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bunnybunnybun
starting to shine!
Discovering my cooking is like tumbling. Both result in inedible rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 42
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Post by bunnybunnybun on Dec 4, 2016 0:05:12 GMT -5
Another update: I've run it in the rotary for polish for a second week, and also tested out my Lot-O by giving the stones a burnishing for 3 hours using a tablespoon of dawn liquid soap.
A few of them have gotten a bit glossier or have a crystaline-like sheen to parts of them, but otherwise not much change. they still have that whitened-out effect when dry. Does anyone know what I should do from here? They're smooth, the right shape, I'd just like them to polish and be a brighter shade like when wetted.
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Shannon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2015
Posts: 145
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Post by Shannon on Dec 4, 2016 6:39:04 GMT -5
Some material just doesn't take the best of shines, and corundum is usually one of them. "I have tried tumbling corundum of various kinds many times with consistent disappointment. The material is close to the hardness of silicon carbide grit and our aluminum oxide polish is actually a synthetic corundum (so they are the same hardness). You can tumble it to a weak semi gloss finish but if you are looking for a bright polished stone you will probably not be successful." from: rocktumbler.com/blog/will-you-polish-this-rock/
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bunnybunnybun
starting to shine!
Discovering my cooking is like tumbling. Both result in inedible rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 42
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Post by bunnybunnybun on Dec 4, 2016 9:49:29 GMT -5
Researching more into it, I've found several sources that suggest that pretty much the only way to get a polish from corundum, is diamond powder. Found a few suppliers online, but looks as though a single batch's worth is around $9. I may want to wait off on until I get more of the material before that investment. Not to mention no telling if the stuff wears out filler ceramics or not. I only have just enough to fill my Lot-O to 3/4th full, rather not replace it so soon.
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 4, 2016 12:24:39 GMT -5
You should be able to polish corundum with AlO &/or diamond
Re 4 weeks in stage 1 ... don't try that with anything soft!
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bunnybunnybun
starting to shine!
Discovering my cooking is like tumbling. Both result in inedible rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 42
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Post by bunnybunnybun on Dec 5, 2016 18:47:01 GMT -5
The way it read on one page, AlO is the same hardness as corundum (though possibly meant artificial corundum? whatever that is) so it would take a long, long time to polish with it.
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