textiger
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 946
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Post by textiger on Aug 1, 2005 2:27:26 GMT -5
Finally, I got a batch all the way though polish. It's not a Jamesian shine, but I feel like they came out OK, particuarly since it is a learning-by-doing process. Unfortunately, one of the things I learned today was...well, I don't know what I learned. After they came out of the polish (tripoli) I put them back in the barrel for a little cleaning with some Ivory dish soap. And lots of beads. Apparently not enough, even though I used more than I had in all the previous stages. Several of the bigger rocks got slapped around and came out worse than they went in. They probably will go back through in another barrel. All in all, though, I'm pleased. There's nothing special in terms of species -- lot of common quartz, some agates, a few piece of flint and this funky white thing with a little pink lace in it. All of it stuff I found, some landscape gravel and leftover bits from the toy tumbler. The whole bunch  some of my favorites with requisite scaling tool  And even though I haven't the foggiest notion about how to make jewelry, I feel like I got a few good shapes for doing so, if I wished  Thanks for looking |
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Post by puppie96 on Aug 1, 2005 2:35:44 GMT -5
They're very pretty and nicely shaped. Most of the stuff I tumble is found rock and some of yours looks like stuff I've had that just won't polish no matter what. I keep getting deceived into picking it up because it looks so nice on the ground.
Nice Job!
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Aug 1, 2005 7:46:43 GMT -5
Not a bad looking batch Matt....some of my best finished rocks are pasture rocks..nothing special just pretty. Now get started on that pet wood...
Pho
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Post by Cher on Aug 1, 2005 8:44:59 GMT -5
They are looking good but I have a question. Was the tripoli what you used for polish? From what I understand, tripoli is a pre-polish, not a polish. I think if you run them through a week in regular polish (Aluminum Oxide) or something like that you'll get your wet look shine on them. Great shapes and colors, it's a great looking batch.
Cher
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Post by creativeminded on Aug 1, 2005 8:54:58 GMT -5
Those look good, Cher is right Tripoli is a prepolish and you will get more of a sating shine then a glass shine on them if you stop there you need to through them into a barrel and use either Aluminum or Cerum oxide.
Tami
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Aug 1, 2005 9:12:38 GMT -5
Yup- Use a polish- Tripoli makes a great prepolish- even starts to put a shine on the edges- but get yourself a nice Polish and watch those puppies really get that JAMES WET LOOK- (oh yea Susan is the new shine KING!)
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Post by Alice on Aug 1, 2005 9:21:08 GMT -5
Not bad for a first batch!
I have to agree with everyone. Try to get your hands on some rock polish, and you'll get a super glossy shine. I particularly like titanium Dioxide, but I'm sure other polishes will work just as well.
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textiger
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 946
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Post by textiger on Aug 1, 2005 11:59:02 GMT -5
The folks at Jeanne's here in Houston push tripoli as a polish. I knew from reading the board that it doesn't give the best shine and that folks tend to use it more as a prepolish. I just haven't gotten any real polish yet. I will. I also really wanted to finish a batch!!! Which is best as a general purpose, high-gloss polish, Tin Oxide, Aluminum Oxide or Cerium or something else? Easy-to-get has to figure into it, as well. Alice, I haven't heard of titanium dioxide. Would it fill the bill as an all-purpose, all-rock polish?
Thanks for your assistance.
matt
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Aug 1, 2005 12:27:11 GMT -5
Matt any of those would be good- Tin Oxide tends to work the best for softer stones as well as harder- but it is more expensive- Aluminum Oxide tends to be the cheapest but is usually best for harder stones (Quartz) Cerium Oxide seems to be the general "Best allround" - while Titanium dioxide seems to be gaining in popularity- I use AO and CO and have no complaints about either!
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Post by Alice on Aug 1, 2005 12:44:02 GMT -5
Titanium Doixide is "MY" all purpose polish.
But then again I haven't really ever tried anything else.
It's what came with my tumbler, and have bought more by the pound because I was happy with the results. Why switch polishes when you're happy? It would be like trying to fix something that isn't broken.
I do have some aluminum Oxide which I haven't tried yet. I'm saving it incase I gat a batch that doesn't take a shine in Titanium (which hasn't happened yet).
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littlejimie
starting to spend too much on rocks
A rolling stone gathers no moss
Member since January 2005
Posts: 170
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Post by littlejimie on Aug 1, 2005 12:57:09 GMT -5
Matt: I get my titanium dioxide from Alpha-Supply.com for $14.40 for 5.5lbs. plus shipping---it's messy to work with, but it does an outstanding polish job on all of my rocks. I think it is one of the best polishes on the market for the money. My opinion, Jim
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Post by Cher on Aug 1, 2005 13:27:14 GMT -5
Kingsley North has some kind of polish called CPP or something like similar. KD uses it and gets a great shine. I use aluminum oxide and have never had it fail me on anything. I've used cerium but found better results with alumium oxide.
Cher
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Post by Alice on Aug 1, 2005 16:56:23 GMT -5
messy is right!
Tex, if you do get some Titanium, be aware that it will color your skin white, and it's pretty hard to get out from around your finger nails. It sort of looks like you didn't wash your hands very well after painting (but goes away after a day or 2 of regular daily washing).
If you care about your hand's appearance, then wear gloves
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WyckedWyre
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2007
Posts: 1,391
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Post by WyckedWyre on Aug 1, 2005 19:44:46 GMT -5
Nice, Tex. S
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Post by krazydiamond on Aug 1, 2005 20:51:00 GMT -5
great looking rocks, textiger, as you have heard, i'm a great fan of the cheap and cheerful CPP polish. i've tried all the others and find the CPP from Kingsley the best all around polish for the buck. i run it a bit longer than i would Tin Ox or Titanium Diox, but have so far been impressed with the results as in "bang for the buck" factor.
however, i got to say that when i have a real special batch coming up, i push the boat out and use the real good stuff (Tin Ox).
KD
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Post by rockyraccoon on Aug 2, 2005 8:01:14 GMT -5
very nice 1st batch. feels good to get that 1st one to completion doesn't it?
kim
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textiger
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 946
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Post by textiger on Aug 2, 2005 20:17:15 GMT -5
Thanks, Kim, and yes, it does. I appreciate the encouragement and advice from all. I may yet toss some of these into a barrel with some real polish -- when I get it -- but may also keep some out as a reference. Either way, my kids love them, and have already poured them out of the bowl twice.
matt
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Post by Cher on Aug 2, 2005 20:27:00 GMT -5
It just gets better Matt! I'm still thrilled each time I take a new load out of polish, I don't think that feeling ever gets old. That's great that your kids enjoy them, hopefully you'll be able to lead them in to a good hobby and they can follow in Dad's footsteps. "Can ya hear me now? Dad I need another tumbler".
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textiger
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 946
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Post by textiger on Aug 2, 2005 21:08:32 GMT -5
We all went to the defunct nursery yesterday to do a little rockhounding. The 3-year-old picked up everything, the 4-year-old only got a couple but some real beauties, and the 6-year-old picked up a a big terrific-looking black agate and a bunch of nice banded ones. I grabbed some white quartz and a piece of pet wood. I had told them I would run a barrel for them. Two of the three are very excited, particularly the oldest.
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Post by Cher on Aug 2, 2005 21:13:13 GMT -5
Hope you can keep them interested as time goes by. One of the things my grandson has the most fun with is when I take the barrels outside and let him wash the slurry away in the alley. He seems to really enjoy seeing that grey wash away and the rocks getting smoother each time.
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