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Post by greig on Dec 8, 2018 18:46:20 GMT -5
Great thread and I have no argument with all of the above advice. I have hand polished plenty of rocks. I got my best (wet automotive) sandpaper variety from Amazon, up to 8000 grit. I get my best results using the sandpaper wet. I actually like to run a small amount of clean water over the sandpaper when working, from a hose outside. I reuse my sandpaper, so am sure that the grits get finer and finer before I toss them. Good luck with your project(s).
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Post by gmitch067 on Dec 8, 2018 21:14:01 GMT -5
The dremel polishing can get a bit messy... wear goggles and face mask! It slings the polish (mud) all over the place. Lol! I wet a 6x12 inch strip of cowhide and use it as a table to polish on... sprinkle a tablespoon or so of dry polish and add a few drops of water to create a slurry to coat the stone. As I use the dremel with buff pad to polish, I cup my hand over the muddy cab creating a small cave to keep the slurry fallout down (also useful when adjusting the dremel speed as you start out). I was thinking about this. Do you use any kind of container, that lets you put your gem in and cover it with the polish, then let you cover with your hand while you use the Dremel? I tried using a 1-Liter clear plastic soda bottle (cut into a tunnel) that allowed access to the stone from both ends... easy to wash clean in a nearby sink. That worked for a while but I got lazy and ended up setting it aside in favor of a hand over the area (later, my Daughter threw it away thinking it trash). |
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stretch316
noticing nice landscape pebbles
The only dumb question, is the one NOT asked ; I don't use credit cards
Member since December 2018
Posts: 77
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Post by stretch316 on Dec 9, 2018 4:51:07 GMT -5
I was thinking about this. Do you use any kind of container, that lets you put your gem in and cover it with the polish, then let you cover with your hand while you use the Dremel? I tried using a 1-Liter clear plastic soda bottle (cut into a tunnel) that allowed access to the stone from both ends... easy to wash clean in a nearby sink. That worked for a while but I got lazy and ended up setting it aside in favor of a hand over the area (later, my Daughter threw it away thinking it trash). sounds like cutting the bottom out of a mason jar might be an idea. |
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 11, 2018 16:12:25 GMT -5
I hand polished the Petoskey stone in my avatar. Petoskey stone is very soft, mohs 3, I think. I used wet/dry automotive sand paper followed by aluminum oxide on denim. It only took about an hour from start to finish, but the back is natural and the rock is only about 1.5 inches across. I wouldn’t want to do a harder rock by this method. No electricity was used.
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Post by Pat on Dec 11, 2018 16:28:48 GMT -5
The January 1982 issue of JEWELRY MAKING GEMS AND MINERALS features an article on HOW TO POLISH STONES BY HAND by A. Gerald Zvirblis.
Briefly, he suggests using silicon carbide which has been graded by size on s glass pane.
Let me know if you would like a copy of this article.
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stretch316
noticing nice landscape pebbles
The only dumb question, is the one NOT asked ; I don't use credit cards
Member since December 2018
Posts: 77
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Post by stretch316 on Dec 11, 2018 20:43:50 GMT -5
The January 1982 issue of JEWELRY MAKING GEMS AND MINERALS features an article on HOW TO POLISH STONES BY HAND by A. Gerald Zvirblis. Briefly, he suggests using silicon carbide which has been graded by size on s glass pane. Let me know if you would like a copy of this article. Good Day Pat;
I would deeply appreciate the article.
Thank you for the offering.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 11, 2018 21:07:53 GMT -5
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stretch316
noticing nice landscape pebbles
The only dumb question, is the one NOT asked ; I don't use credit cards
Member since December 2018
Posts: 77
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Post by stretch316 on Dec 12, 2018 6:06:33 GMT -5
I got this a few years back for wood working. I'll be using it for gem stones as well.  Looking at various stores around me, not finding any that sell Electric Grinder Cover Case Rotary Tool Shield Attachments. |
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cbk1960
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2018
Posts: 3
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Post by cbk1960 on Dec 12, 2018 7:56:10 GMT -5
Auto parts or automotive paint stores will have wet/dry sand paper to pretty fine (like 2000 or finer). Sanding sponges don't say what grit but since they are for drywall I would guess something like 60-100 and 220. The sander strips for drywall are 60 I think. Whatever you use, use it WET. You don't want to breath rock dust. I have not seen your rocks but would bet they are not worth your life. |
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cbk1960
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2018
Posts: 3
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Post by cbk1960 on Dec 12, 2018 7:57:45 GMT -5
Any hardware or auto parts store should have it in stock. Quick look at Google maps showed at least a couple places in Berwick. believe it or not, Walmart has what I'm looking for. |
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cbk1960
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2018
Posts: 3
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Post by cbk1960 on Dec 12, 2018 7:59:32 GMT -5
believe it or not, Walmart has what I'm looking for. i I found 3000,5000,7000wet sandpaper on amazon for cheap |
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CacklingChick
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2022
Posts: 12
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Post by CacklingChick on Oct 12, 2024 21:41:13 GMT -5
Thanks Glenn, notes taken.
what kind of polish do you use?
I have a dremel tool, will be buying more parts for it before X-mas.
I use various polishes... depending on the type of stone. There are a few good lists of polishes (for various stones) that can be found on the net. I find the Covington list to be very useful: www.kingsleynorth.com/skshop/product.php?id=100109&catID=1164rockjunquie introduced me to one called ZAM which I found useful when polishing Malachite and Chrysacolla... And I really like Cerium Oxide when hand cabbing Obsidian. Tin Oxide and Aluminum Oxide are good for general use on agates and jaspers. The dremel polishing can get a bit messy... wear goggles and face mask! It slings the polish (mud) all over the place. Lol! I wet a 6x12 inch strip of cowhide and use it as a table to polish on... sprinkle a tablespoon or so of dry polish and add a few drops of water to create a slurry to coat the stone. As I use the dremel with buff pad to polish, I cup my hand over the muddy cab creating a small cave to keep the slurry fallout down (also useful when adjusting the dremel speed as you start out). Watch out when using Chrome Oxide! It is marvelously bright green and seems to stain everything it touches... VERY+++ messy!! I have it but rarely use it because of the mess and stains. I have a few nepherite jade pieces that seem to resist all my attempts to polish (either by hand with dremel or utilizing my Lot-O... very frustrating). I am getting up the nerve to attack them with a dremel and Chromium Oxide... not looking forward to that! Your info. was extremely helpful. Thank you so much!! |
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