ataraktos
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 140
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Post by ataraktos on May 4, 2020 19:24:04 GMT -5
Hi all,
I'm getting ready to try my first dry polish. Have 3 pounds of corn cob (a mix from two sources - The Rock Shed and Kingsly North - was surprised one was so fine, the other coarser?) so am planning to use 3 tablespoons of polish (aluminum oxide from The Rock Shed).
Assuming that sounds about right?
The question I know that I have - I've read you can re-use dry polish media and polish - how do you know when it needs to be replaced? Or can you recharge the corn cob with more polish and reuse longer? I figure I'll mostly be trying something finicky and soft in dry polish, that who knows if it'll take a polish well at all for me, so I know I won't be able to use "well, stones didn't polish, must need to change the media" to know that it's spent.
Thanks!
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Benathema
has rocks in the head
God chased me down and made sure I knew He was real June 20, 2022. I've been on a Divine Mission.
Member since November 2019
Posts: 703
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Post by Benathema on May 4, 2020 19:45:29 GMT -5
I've not done it long enough to know exactly. What barrel were you planning on using? I have a 6 lb barrel that I've done several loads in and it seemed to be just fine. For each run I sprinkled in a bit more polish by eye, pretty much under the idea of "topping it off." It has been a while since I've ran it since the bases are rolling the 12 lb barrels nonstop. I feel like it could last forever, but I cant back that up.
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Post by knave on May 4, 2020 19:48:13 GMT -5
Shooting from the hip but I would use results as one indicator.
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ataraktos
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 140
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Post by ataraktos on May 4, 2020 20:07:36 GMT -5
Shooting from the hip but I would use results as one indicator. Haha, that's because you know what you're doing! =)
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Post by knave on May 4, 2020 20:23:49 GMT -5
I’m assuming you have a vibe tumbler. What finicky material are you polishing?
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ataraktos
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 140
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Post by ataraktos on May 5, 2020 8:35:49 GMT -5
I’m assuming you have a vibe tumbler. What finicky material are you polishing? some orange calcite from the rock shed. Though, I have to say, the rough looked a fair bit different than other calcite rough I have. There seems to be two types in it, one reminds me of aventurine, the other is very chunky, if that makes sense. Don't think technically "conglomeration" is the right term. But made of lots of self-same pieces. Very flashy when wet.
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ataraktos
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 140
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Post by ataraktos on May 5, 2020 8:49:06 GMT -5
I've not done it long enough to know exactly. What barrel were you planning on using? ... I feel like it could last forever, but I cant back that up. I bought a cheaper brass tumbling vibe, intend to try out for glass (which isn't ready yet). It's kinda like the raytech tv 5 in bowl shape. Says it can handle 5 pounds but does better around 4 pounds. I hope you're right about it lasting a while a least. Would be nice, especially for costlier polishes!
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Post by knave on May 5, 2020 9:01:13 GMT -5
I haven’t done calcite yet, but I was pleasantly surprised with my last obsidian batch using 1/4 tsp of polish!
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ataraktos
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 140
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Post by ataraktos on May 5, 2020 9:12:09 GMT -5
I haven’t done calcite yet, but I was pleasantly surprised with my last obsidian batch using 1/4 tsp of polish! I'm still getting used to how little of the later stage grit/polish a vibe needs! I've been doing a generous 1/2 tsp but 1/4?! LOL I will probably stick with using the sugar method just to premix the grit in, so it's easier to distribute!
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Post by knave on May 5, 2020 9:17:14 GMT -5
I haven’t done calcite yet, but I was pleasantly surprised with my last obsidian batch using 1/4 tsp of polish! I'm still getting used to how little of the later stage grit/polish a vibe needs! I've been doing a generous 1/2 tsp but 1/4?! LOL I will probably stick with using the sugar method just to premix the grit in, so it's easier to distribute! I used sugar for that run, 1/8 cup. Now I’m trying shaved Ivory soap. In case you didn’t see it, this is the first piece I grabbed out of the Loto.
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ataraktos
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 140
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Post by ataraktos on May 5, 2020 15:53:57 GMT -5
I used sugar for that run, 1/8 cup. Now I’m trying shaved Ivory soap. In case you didn’t see it, this is the first piece I grabbed out of the Loto. wow, that's a great result! I checked on my calcite, it's been going about 5 hours, starting to have some shine! At least it's moving in the right direction. I'm sure it won't be spectacular but with the number of batches I've finished (not very many!) I really shouldn't even be messing with it yet!
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Post by knave on May 5, 2020 15:55:10 GMT -5
sounds like you’re on the way!
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