osuguy0301
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 203
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Post by osuguy0301 on Jan 14, 2017 21:02:43 GMT -5
After 3 weeks of running my QT66 with SiC 60/90, I finally got enough material to go for my first run in my Loto. Using jamesp advice, I went with just a little less than 1 tablespoon of AO 80 and the same of Borax. Put the rocks in wet and then a couple drops of water to get a creamy slurry. I will check in the morning to see how the moisture is. Jake
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Post by tims on Jan 15, 2017 22:15:43 GMT -5
Wondering if Ivory soap or similar non-sudsing laundry soap would suffice instead of Borax?
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Post by MrMike on Jan 16, 2017 5:14:57 GMT -5
Wondering if Ivory soap or similar non-sudsing laundry soap would suffice instead of Borax? Try dishwashing detergent powder. Get mine at Dollar Tree for a buck.
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Post by HankRocks on Jan 16, 2017 10:11:11 GMT -5
Somewhere long ago I read that Ivory Bar Soap is the best for Tumbling cleanup, basically no added chemicals. The added chemicals in some soaps can over time lead to faster breakdown of the rubber liners in tumbler barrels. I shave the Ivory soap bar into the tumbler with an old kitchen metal grater. Not to worry, I picked one out of Wife's kitchen utensil reject bucket. An Investigation is still under way as to how it got in that bucket.....
Anyone else heard of this?
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,555
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Post by jamesp on Jan 16, 2017 14:35:43 GMT -5
I have only polished with Borax and sugar in a vibe. Borax does best for me on final polish in a Vibe. But never ever let Borax get to dry. And run dishwasher soap or equivalent after with excess water.
Sugar works darn good in a rotary for final polish.
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rastageezer
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 169
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Post by rastageezer on Jan 28, 2017 4:22:35 GMT -5
ran the AO 80 for 4 days in the Loto (1/2 tbsp w/1/2 tbsp Borax) Happy with the result. Moved on to AO polish.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,555
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Post by jamesp on Jan 28, 2017 4:59:58 GMT -5
ran the AO 80 for 4 days in the Loto (1/2 tbsp w/1/2 tbsp Borax) Happy with the result. Moved on to AO polish. rasta, it seems the Lot-O is a gentle machine. Thinking out loud: My Vibrasonic seems more aggressive. I really have a decent polish after 24 hours using AO 80. But it bruises soft rocks unlike the Lot-O. I can only run hard agate type rocks. After 2 days it is a real nice polish. After 3 days and 4 days there is little change. So I go to 14,000 polish after 2 days in the Vibrasonic. I only mention this because it may be that AO 120 or AO 180 might be better for the Lot-O. AO 120 and probably the AO 180 would remove any scratches from the rotary. No problem there. If I had a Lot-O I would order a pound of AO 120 or AO 180 and give it a try. It may cut a long 4 day run into a 2 day run. Keep in mind, 10-14 days in the rotary with AO 80 does about the same thing as the vibe. May be an alternative. I was surprised when I used AO 22 in the rotary for 10 days. Went straight to vibe with AO 14,000 and got a dead liquid shine in 18 hours with the Vibrasonic. AO 22 is really coarse grit. So it changed from AO 22 to like AO 2000-3000 in 10 days. That blew my mind. With that in mind I am not sure AO 80 is going to be much different that AO 180 in your Lot-O. Here is an Ebay listing for 1 pound of white(clear) AO 120 for $9.95 ppd. www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Oxide-120-GRIT-1-LB-White-Sand-Blasting-Abrasive-Media-Tumbling-/121637915096?hash=item1c522f49d8:g:NAkAAOxyTMdTLjzVAnd AO 180, 2 pounds for $13 ppd www.ebay.com/itm/2-LBS-180-Grit-White-Aluminum-Oxide-fine-Sand-Blasting-Abrasive-Media-/121832449195?hash=item1c5dc7a4ab:g:eUUAAOSwNSxVC7W~
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