johnd
starting to shine!
Member since May 2015
Posts: 26 
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Post by johnd on Jan 31, 2017 21:45:18 GMT -5
What is the best way to polish slabs of agatized petrified wood with saw marks?
Vibratry tumbler or rotary device?
Any advise on abrasives like grit polish? How coarse and how many stages?
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Dr DG
fully equipped rock polisher
Gone Fishing
Member since April 2005
Posts: 1,848
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Post by Dr DG on Jan 31, 2017 23:26:44 GMT -5
use a bull wip
Body And Mind Minerals
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Post by vegasjames on Feb 1, 2017 0:22:08 GMT -5
I would use a flat lap.
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Post by melhill1659 on Feb 1, 2017 8:49:42 GMT -5
John,
Are those the only 2 choices you have? If that's the case I'd add this question to one of the tumbling boards. Those guys can shine anything in their tumblers. Sorry I'm not one of them YET
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 1, 2017 12:29:49 GMT -5
Depending on the size of the slabs,you could try a bull wheel....Shine it up in a quick minute....
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mikeinsjc
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by mikeinsjc on Feb 2, 2017 15:22:57 GMT -5
johnd,
It depends on the size of the slab, how deep the saw marks are, what type of equipment you have and/or what your budget is.
I usually tumble any slab less than 3-4 inches. There are plenty of recipes here on the forum. If you haven't bought a tumbler, I wouldn't recommend buying any new tumbler that is less than $150 or so. Too unreliable, and too small.
Some slabs have saw marks that render the slab unsaveable. You see these at rock shows all the time- big pretty slabs sitting in tubs of water. But when you run your fingernail across them, you see why the guy didn't polish them. They're junk. All you can do is break them up and tumble the pieces.
It sounds as if you might be somewhat new to the hobby? Some guys have recommended a bull wheel. This is a great machine- the best money I have spent on equipment, but it's pricey. Belts are only available through 800#, so you won't get a super polish on the bull wheel alone. Additionally, there are problems you will encounter trying to remove deep saw marks with a bull wheel. It is easy to sand the rock out of flat to the point a flat or rotating lap won't polish it.
You will quickly learn what saw marked slabs can be saved and which ones can't.
There are a number of devices for final polish. Most hobbyists use vibrating flat laps. If you are just beginning, stay with a flat lap under 20" or so. If you can find an old Beacon Star 20" machine, get it. DO NOT use the 27" Highland Park/Diamond Pacific machines. These are accursed devices- I know, as I had two of the machines running simultaneously, and have ground (machine #1)and polished (machine #2) a thousand slabs on them.
I tumble and polish commercially, so the equipment I use probably wouldn't be applicable for your needs. But I started small and have used all the stuff up through what I have now. PM me if you have any questions.
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