anubis63
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2018
Posts: 18
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Post by anubis63 on Feb 2, 2018 3:07:15 GMT -5
Hi, I'm about to tumble Calcite but it is a 3 hardness on the Moh's scale. I'm thinking that because it is not so hard that I should not tumble it for 7 days each stage. Doe's anyone know how long I should tumble it on each stage?
I'm using a dual 3 lb tumbler with rubber barrels, the stones are about 1/2 inch, the grit is silicon carbide up to stage 3, not sure about how fractured they are but don't look too fractured, I also use plastic pellets and ceramic cylinders. I hope that's enough info.
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Post by HankRocks on Feb 2, 2018 7:47:08 GMT -5
Never tumbled Calcite myself, but your are correct about reducing the time in each stage. If it were me I would be tempted to skip the 80 completely and go straight to 220 and then check it every day to see how the Calcite is doing. If it's not enough then go another day until you get the roundness you want. Suppose you could do the same starting with 80, but do check it often as it will grind quickly. Have some Calcite set aside that needs to be tumbled so I would be curious to see how it goes. Pictures of before and then after each stage would be interesting to see. Good luck, Henry
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Post by 1dave on Feb 2, 2018 7:58:17 GMT -5
jamesp is the expert on this subject.
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Post by fantastic5 on Feb 2, 2018 9:11:41 GMT -5
I've tried soft material before (but not calcite) and made the mistake of not checking on it often enough. After about 3 days the material was nearly gone. Keep a close eye on it. I wouldn't let it roll more than 1/2 day to a full day without taking a peek. Once you see how quickly the stones are shaping, you'll get a better idea of how long you can go between checks.
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Post by orrum on Feb 2, 2018 9:47:10 GMT -5
Tumble till round then polish by submerging in a mix of half muriatic aCid and water. Caution wear protection and ALWAYS POUR ACID INTO WATER!!! Agitate the calcite with s stick and check often..Too long and they get undercut.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on Feb 2, 2018 10:02:19 GMT -5
jamesp is the expert on this subject. Got some fine calcite but have not tried it yet. I suggest 70% hard media to break down the abrasives. Guessing it is a high management tumble.
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 2, 2018 10:53:06 GMT -5
Some Calcites will disintegrate in the barrels....I know the material from Montana will (Bearpaw formation..)
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Post by 1dave on Feb 2, 2018 14:20:08 GMT -5
Some Calcites will disintegrate in the barrels....I know the material from Montana will (Bearpaw formation..) I'm sure the cleavage will be a BIG problem.
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anubis63
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2018
Posts: 18
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Post by anubis63 on Feb 2, 2018 15:06:38 GMT -5
Have some Calcite set aside that needs to be tumbled so I would be curious to see how it goes. Pictures of before and then after each stage would be interesting to see. Good luck, Henry I'm sorry about "Before" pics. but I would be happy to post after pics with time frame, that is if I remember lol (Someone said never put "lol" unless you are really laughing out loud now when I type it I always think about that and have to laugh. Damn, them )
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anubis63
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2018
Posts: 18
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Post by anubis63 on Feb 2, 2018 15:30:17 GMT -5
All great advice. I'll err on the side of caution and check twice a day at first as one of you suggested. This should be interesting.
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Post by greig on Feb 6, 2018 14:37:56 GMT -5
Tumble till round then polish by submerging in a mix of half muriatic aCid and water. Caution wear protection and ALWAYS POUR ACID INTO WATER!!! Agitate the calcite with s stick and check often..Too long and they get undercut. Why would you subject calcite to diluted muriatic? It will dissolve the crystals/rock. I am here to learn. Heck, I might just try it to see what happens. But, I don't understand this advice.
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Post by orrum on Feb 6, 2018 18:03:24 GMT -5
Word....
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Post by rockpickerforever on Feb 6, 2018 18:16:04 GMT -5
Tumble till round then polish by submerging in a mix of half muriatic aCid and water. Caution wear protection and ALWAYS POUR ACID INTO WATER!!! Agitate the calcite with s stick and check often..Too long and they get undercut. Why would you subject calcite to diluted muriatic? It will dissolve the crystals/rock. I am here to learn. Heck, I might just try it to see what happens. But, I don't understand this advice. Some people use muriatic acid on calcite to give it a flash polish.
Read this old thread new tumblers - help! for some info on how/why this is done. Have never done it personally, cannot say if the outcome is worth the hazards.
Here is a more recent thread explaining it Final polishing of orange calcite ... is it even possible?
If you decide to give it a try, be safe!
Welcome to the forum, anubis63 . Jean
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Post by HankRocks on Feb 6, 2018 18:32:49 GMT -5
I have used muriatic acid before for cleaning quartz crystals with heavy coating. Experimented on a few junk pieces of Terlingua Calcite, it does "shine" them or more accurately takes a fine outer layer off leaving a fresh new surface. The new surface has a waxy feel to it. Muriatic(Hydocloric) is not good stuff to work with and I no longer use it. Fumes are bad news always use outdoors and always pour the acid into water if diluting it. As Jean said, be careful if you decide to go that route. Henry
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Post by greig on Feb 12, 2018 14:38:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the info on tumbling with muriatic and will look up the articles. My first thought however is the tumbler will pop with the gas released as the calcite fizzes. For sure, not something to use inside or near people/pets. Still, I am curious as to the process and results. Thanks again. Greig
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Post by amygdule on Feb 12, 2018 14:56:45 GMT -5
Thanks for the info on tumbling with muriatic and will look up the articles. My first thought however is the tumbler will pop with the gas released as the calcite fizzes. For sure, not something to use inside or near people/pets. Still, I am curious as to the process and results. Thanks again. Greig You don't tumble the calcite with muriatic acid. You dip the calcite in acid after you tumble them to shape. Not sure of the process. Good luck and be safe.
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pizzano
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Member since February 2018
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Post by pizzano on Feb 19, 2018 22:21:53 GMT -5
Here's a pic of my second attempt at tumbling Calcite & Opal........the first batch ended up in dime shaped pieces and lots of mud. I have not attempted anymore since. The rough Calcite was collected from an area in The Jurupa Hills, CA.......The common Opal from Mojave Desert. Those results were rotary tumbled together.....120/220, 3F-400, 600 graded, AO pre-polish, then Cerium Oxide. All stages with plastic beads. The first batch was a disaster due to my lack of knowldge......even after I was told "never to tumble" Calcite.....Ya, not with 60/90 and agates, which I learned the hard way. What "polish" I got was from my buffing wheel and Cerium Oxide Battstik........now that I have a vibe, I may throw everything back into it with a 8F-800 and finish off with Covington's Pre-polish and Covington's Gold Polish #2......We'll see, I have a lot of rough blue and white Calcite..... Rough Opal needs lot's of hand work.
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