rcinstp
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2018
Posts: 3
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Post by rcinstp on Oct 25, 2018 9:01:54 GMT -5
I have about a dozen smooth basalt stones. The stones are very smooth but I need to polish them. Is it possible to use some type of finishing and polishing wheels on a bench grinder to polish the stones? I am only doing this once so I can't buy an expensive machine.
Is it possible to make a vibratory polisher? Any ideas and advice you have is very much appreciated.
Thanks, Rick
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hummingbirdstones2
fully equipped rock polisher
Vince A., 1958-2023
Member since August 2018
Posts: 1,461
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Oct 25, 2018 9:13:42 GMT -5
You don't mention the size of the stones, but a better option for a one-time project might be sanding/polishing discs used for countertops.
If you have a hand held polisher of some kind all you'd need are those and some way to keep the surfaces wet enough to work them.
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rcinstp
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2018
Posts: 3
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Post by rcinstp on Oct 25, 2018 9:45:05 GMT -5
Thanks Vince, the stones are 3 to 6 inches long and wide, some are roughly 3" x 6", others 3 x 5, 4x6, I will post a picture. The stones are not flat so I would need to fasten the grinder and move the stones around by hand.
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hummingbirdstones2
fully equipped rock polisher
Vince A., 1958-2023
Member since August 2018
Posts: 1,461
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Oct 25, 2018 10:05:39 GMT -5
Sounds like maybe you do already have a hand-held grinder/polisher. If I'm reading that right, then that could be strapped down like you said and made to work. It'll be a little messy, but it would work. Just make provisions to keep water spray outta' the motor.
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rcinstp
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2018
Posts: 3
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Post by rcinstp on Oct 25, 2018 11:16:41 GMT -5
After doing a lot of research it seems like I might be able to build a vibrating polisher fairly cheaply. Do you have recommendations for polishing medium/abrasive for basalt stones?
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,647
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Post by Tommy on Oct 25, 2018 14:24:51 GMT -5
The stones are not flat so I would need to fasten the grinder and move the stones around by hand. Hi Rick, welcome to the board. From what you described above, in my limited experience with it my opinion is a vibrating lap would not be an efficient solution. I think staying with a spinning table would be the best way to accomplish it because with uneven surfaces a vib lap would take a REALLY long time to work things into flat surfaces well enough to be polished.
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Post by fernwood on Oct 25, 2018 14:32:52 GMT -5
Do you have a Dremel, Fordham or cordless screwdriver? Bits/polishing/cutting/shaping attachments can be purchased for them for under $20.00 in a kit. Use the counter top polish mentioned above. Even some types of metal polish and car polish would work on a stone that soft.
I use a Dremel with those types of polishes for Petoksey Stones, which are similar hardness. First I use a diamond file to shape. Then a whetstone. On to drywall sandpaper. Then the Dremel. It takes a while, but works great.
Have only used this method for stones up to 3" long.
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ingawh
starting to spend too much on rocks
The rock wants to shine, I just help it get there
Member since February 2011
Posts: 194
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Post by ingawh on Nov 6, 2018 2:47:35 GMT -5
Here's how my basalt came out of the Lot-O-Tumbler. Smoothed it first in rotary, finished it in the vibe. I was working with smaller pieces, but the Lot-O will polish pretty much anything you can fit in it, and I've done some large pieces. You just add more quartz filler if the pieces are larger. The pieces closer to the camera (bottom of the image) were not in focus, and so that polish doesn't pop. The pieces where you can see the reflection of the tree overhead are more indicative of the results. That said, not every piece took the same level of shine. Basalt by Inga Holmquist, on Flickr
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