agatewhisperer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2020
Posts: 836
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Post by agatewhisperer on Feb 6, 2021 21:05:57 GMT -5
Finally had some time to get some more practice. And, I know it's been discussed before... But having a tough time with the flat backs of the agate. What you can't see in the picture is the back where I was trying to get all of the scratches out and slipped and now part of the back is angled. Doh! Anyway, I know I could throw it in the tumbler as an option for polishing, but how do you all get nice polished backs of cabs instead of a bunch of polsihed scratches?? What I've been trying is: - flat lap at 360 to get the rough saw marks out if there are any. - hold up against the bottom of each wheel starting on the soft 280, moving back and forth. - Work my way up the grits. I go to 280 because my hard lap plate seems to be fairly aggressive. In any case, here are some of the fronts!  Got a little bag of tumbling labradorite and decided to try shaping and polishing a few by hand.  Not exactly sure what this is. Rock shop didn't know so I bought the only piece they had and slabbed it. The pink took a decent polish. The black parts are softer and didn't polish as well.  And some of the rock I got from Roy.  |
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saxplayer
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2018
Posts: 1,327
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Post by saxplayer on Feb 6, 2021 21:11:19 GMT -5
You are doing a fantastic job!
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NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Feb 6, 2021 21:25:25 GMT -5
Beautiful cabs! That last 1 should be entered in the February cab contest!
As far as polishing backs, use a very, very light touch so it doesn't push into the foam of the wheel
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agatewhisperer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2020
Posts: 836
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Post by agatewhisperer on Feb 6, 2021 21:42:42 GMT -5
Beautiful cabs! That last 1 should be entered in the February cab contest! As far as polishing backs, use a very, very light touch so it doesn't push into the foam of the wheel Ok I'll give that another shot with a lighter touch. I was probably getting annoyed by that time and pushing harder than I thought! If I can't find any others I might enter that one. I don't have a before picture so that's kind of a bummer. Never entered the contest before so maybe this one is calling me. |
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,512
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Post by Brian on Feb 6, 2021 21:58:25 GMT -5
Those are beautiful! That labradorite looks like an iridescent beetle. So much color in that one.
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 6, 2021 23:18:14 GMT -5
Wowzers! The first one and the last one pictured are phenomenal! Fantastic job on those!  |
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agatewhisperer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2020
Posts: 836
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Post by agatewhisperer on Feb 7, 2021 0:12:49 GMT -5
Wowzers! The first one and the last one pictured are phenomenal! Fantastic job on those! Thanks, I was chuckling thinking about your post about the elk behind when I was trying to get the third one to polish. Might need to try a different technique too. Definitely still learning. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 7, 2021 0:18:47 GMT -5
There is something inherently funny about elk butts!  Seriously though, your cabs are outstanding! |
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Post by stephan on Feb 7, 2021 2:11:17 GMT -5
Nice work. Those are very nice. Seconding the suggestion that you submit the Owyhee for the contest.
As for polishing the back, I rarely do it. Usually only if the stone is translucent, or if there are really noticeable saw marks (uncommon, unless there was some sort of problem during cutting).
Once the front is polished, it’s hard to either hold or dop. Also, since I mount on glue tabs, a slightly textured surface works better.
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Post by miket on Feb 7, 2021 5:57:24 GMT -5
Oh boy, very nice work!!!
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 7, 2021 8:45:04 GMT -5
Nice work! I agree with stephan about doing backs. However, I got a 600 spin on lap for doing backs if I need/want to do it. Right now, the only ones I'll mess with are clear stones. |
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Post by orrum on Feb 7, 2021 9:18:04 GMT -5
I agree, fantastic art!!@
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agatewhisperer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2020
Posts: 836
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Post by agatewhisperer on Feb 7, 2021 9:31:22 GMT -5
Thanks, stephan rockjunquie I never used to polish the backs. My motivation for polishing the backs increased after I got in to groove wrapping the rocks. Maybe I should ask, do you usually polish backs for a groove wrapped stone? |
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 7, 2021 9:42:39 GMT -5
Thanks, stephan rockjunquie I never used to polish the backs. My motivation for polishing the backs increased after I got in to groove wrapping the rocks. Maybe I should ask, do you usually polish backs for a groove wrapped stone? I haven't done many groove wraps. The ones I did do, I didn't polish the backs. If I did, barring any bad saw cuts, I think 600 would be fine enough. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 7, 2021 9:43:45 GMT -5
Great job on all of those! You did a really commendable job on that round. It's difficult to keep them round.
I almost always finish the backs of my cabs. The only time I don't is if I'm going to set it right away in a piece of jewelry with an enclosed back and even then I will most likely polish it. Sometimes there are opals that show their color better if you leave the back with a matte finish and then I will leave them at 600. Any stones that may get put on display to be sold at our show all get their back finished.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723 
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 7, 2021 10:27:41 GMT -5
Excellent work!
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agatewhisperer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2020
Posts: 836
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Post by agatewhisperer on Feb 7, 2021 10:50:12 GMT -5
Great job on all of those! You did a really commendable job on that round. It's difficult to keep them round. I almost always finish the backs of my cabs. The only time I don't is if I'm going to set it right away in a piece of jewelry with an enclosed back and even then I will most likely polish it. Sometimes there are opals that show their color better if you leave the back with a matte finish and then I will leave them at 600. Any stones that may get put on display to be sold at our show all get their back finished.
Haha yeah I think round ones are some of the hardest for me because it's so easy to see when it's off. How do you typically finish the backs? Flat lap? |
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Post by opalpyrexia on Feb 7, 2021 11:11:51 GMT -5
I like your cabs!
I polish backs on the wheels: 600 —> 1200 —> 3000. If a back has saw or scratch marks I'll remove them on the flat lap: 260 —> 360 prior to the wheels. I should really buy a 100 grit disk for the few that occasionally have deep saw marks.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 7, 2021 12:09:19 GMT -5
Haha yeah I think round ones are some of the hardest for me because it's so easy to see when it's off. How do you typically finish the backs? Flat lap? Yes, I use a flat lap. I have a hard time doing on a wheel and I have a flat lap, so it's just easier and quicker for me to use the flat lap. |
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