Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,503
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 24, 2005 11:31:09 GMT -5
Howdy folks, Been working on these Andalusite ( variety chiastolite) crystal sections for the sand sifting game in our kiddie booth for months now and just cannot get a decent polish. Hardness is 7 1/2. Have tried AO and Cerium. Can get them smooth, shaped, and glossy but cannot get that mirror finish. Anyone out there worked this material or have suggestions for polishing the harder stones? Thanks..Mel  |
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Aug 24, 2005 11:49:15 GMT -5
I've never worked it but it is pretty cool- When all else fails- try Tin oxide-
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Post by rockyraccoon on Aug 24, 2005 14:38:36 GMT -5
you might try titanium oxide (dioxide).
kim
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Post by krazydiamond on Aug 24, 2005 14:47:42 GMT -5
those look extremely interesting, can't say as i've ever come across andalusite except in faceted jewelry.
but yeah, i'd try running them in Tin Ox for 7-10 days, maybe even go back a step and run them in SISA or Tripoli, then try the Tin Oxide.
KD
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,503
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 24, 2005 15:16:34 GMT -5
Thanks gang! Went through my shop stuff and managed to come up with enough tin oxide to rerun this batch of crystals. Very frustrating, I've found a ranch road that is cut through mica shist and is literally paved with these crystals for a mile or so but have not been able to work the dern things up. I let you all know how the tin oxide works out...Mel
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Post by Alice on Aug 24, 2005 16:12:24 GMT -5
roll them in 1000 or 1200 for about a week - 10 days.
then try polishing again.
Same thing happens to Tiger eye if you don't use 1000 or 1200
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,503
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 24, 2005 19:13:03 GMT -5
Anyone here know what 1000-1200 grit translates to in microns. Don't have grit in that size but have alot of various prepolish powders in micron sizes. Hoping maybe I can substitute.
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Post by rockyraccoon on Aug 24, 2005 22:37:03 GMT -5
do you have 500 or 600? you could run it in one of those for 2 wks and in the 2nd week it should be like it is in 1000-1200 since it will have broken down. then a prepolish and polish.
kim
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Post by parfive on Aug 24, 2005 22:45:56 GMT -5
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Aug 25, 2005 9:45:00 GMT -5
Rich Post that chart in the tips section- it is great THANKS!
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Post by connrock on Aug 25, 2005 18:58:35 GMT -5
Hi sabre,
If that material is in fact a 7.5 it's pretty hard and may take a few extra steps to get the "wet look" you want.
I would suggest going back to maybe a #500 or #600 for at least a week then either #1000 or Tripoli for another week.
For a polish I think Tin Oxide would do fine.
Tom
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