twistedserpent
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2021
Posts: 17
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Post by twistedserpent on Feb 4, 2021 20:38:45 GMT -5
When I was first picking up grits I thought it best to get some 1000 as I knew in the future I was going to need it, however I ended up getting 1000 SiC. Is there any main difference between that and the AO other then the lack of a first layer of polish? Are there any stones one works better over the other for?
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reeniebeany
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rotary Only
Member since January 2020
Posts: 125
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Post by reeniebeany on Feb 4, 2021 22:00:56 GMT -5
twistedserpent, I am still new at this hobby. I bought 1200 SiC before I did a lot of research. I just finished running my first batch of rocks with it. What I see is that they feel very smooth and silky, but do not have the pre-polish shine that AO gives. Here is a selection of the rock both wet and dry. They haven't been vigorously cleaned, just rinsed with a garden hose. I am debating whether to buy some 1200 AO, or just see if they shine up with the Polish I bought. I am sure others will chime in, but as I understand it, the SiC breaks down to smaller and smaller sharp bits and the AO breaks down to rounded bits. So the AO polishes and the SiC doesn't. Hopefully someone will correct me if I am wrong on that.
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Post by rmf on Feb 5, 2021 5:32:16 GMT -5
SiC is harder than Al2O3. Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) is functionally powdered corundum (ruby and sapphire) and has a hardness of 9. Sic is harder than 9 but less than Boron Carbide at 9.5. Putting the stones tumbled in SiC at 1200 grit should take a great polish. Cleaning the grit out is important to protect the polish.
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,428
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Post by Wooferhound on Feb 5, 2021 5:46:51 GMT -5
The best polish you will get with fine SiC grit is a Hazy Shine
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,328
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Post by jamesp on Feb 5, 2021 7:17:26 GMT -5
After thoroughly rotary tumbling or vibe tumbling with SiC 500 you should easily be ready for AO 500 and most likely AO 1000. Are you doing a 500 step of SiC 500 or SiC 500 before this 1000 step ? If you are, I would definitely go with AO 1000 and not SiC 1000. AO is your gateway to polish, not SiC. It is a finishing abrasive. 1000 is a finishing step.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,328
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Post by jamesp on Feb 5, 2021 7:38:52 GMT -5
After thoroughly rotary tumbling or vibe tumbling with SiC 500 you should easily be ready for AO 500 and most likely AO 1000. Are you doing a 500 step of SiC 500 or SiC 500 before this 1000 step ? If you are, I would definitely go with AO 1000 and not SiC 1000. AO is your gateway to polish, not SiC. It is a finishing abrasive. 1000 is a finishing step. Correct: "I am sure others will chime in, but as I understand it, the SiC breaks down to smaller and smaller sharp bits and the AO breaks down to rounded bits. So the AO polishes and the SiC doesn't. Hopefully someone will correct me if I am wrong on that." SiC breaks down into super sharp bits that cut and remove material fast.
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twistedserpent
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2021
Posts: 17
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Post by twistedserpent on Feb 5, 2021 7:48:01 GMT -5
This stage was preceded by 500 sic, and will be followed by a few days in #61 rapid polish.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,328
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Post by jamesp on Feb 5, 2021 11:24:36 GMT -5
This stage was preceded by 500 sic, and will be followed by a few days in #61 rapid polish. The 1000 AO would be the best next step to prep for polish.
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reeniebeany
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rotary Only
Member since January 2020
Posts: 125
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Post by reeniebeany on Feb 5, 2021 12:55:47 GMT -5
Thanks for confirming the SiC vs AO. My 1200 SiC was proceeded by 600 SiC. I am off to purchase some pre-polish AO.
I have also seen reference to Tripoli(Rottenstone?) as a pre-polish Where does that fall in the grit spectrum and does it have any extra/special benefits?
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