stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Mar 13, 2021 17:56:28 GMT -5
This is a batch out of Tripoli. It ran for 6 to 8 weeks in course, 2 weeks in 120/220, 2 weeks in 500, and 9 months in tripoli. I think I could maybe cut that time in half but Tripoli is super cheap (when compared to the Oxides) and my favorite polish (Tin Oxide) was very hard to come by when I started this little experiment. First is Amethyst, and Montana Agate and some Milky quartz. The one Ammy has a very clear yellow band in it! Next is some LSA (small) and some odds and ends Jasper's and Burro Creek Agate Next some Richardson Moss Agate (love this stuff but so fractured and chippy to tumble) Last but not least is some AZ Pet wood. Those of you who know me know what a freaking I am about Pet wood, this is without a doubt one of my best batches of Pet wood ever! That's it for now. Sorry about the darker pictures as the sun was shining and just played havoc with my phone. Gotta dig out my camera and re-learn picture taking again! Tomorrow I open a 500 barrel that has run for about a year!
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Post by miket on Mar 13, 2021 18:07:41 GMT -5
All very nice, I like the pet wood too. And now you have me curious about what's been in there for a year!
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 13, 2021 18:26:41 GMT -5
Nice! Can't wait to see the next batch!
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Post by greig on Mar 13, 2021 18:43:20 GMT -5
Nine weeks in polish sounds like a long time. Heck, I thought three was quite a bit. Nine months? Respect.
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USMC15
Cave Dweller
I feel like I just came out of the tumbler ...
Member since March 2021
Posts: 273
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Post by USMC15 on Mar 13, 2021 19:27:56 GMT -5
A baby was born during this polishing and they named her Sparkles.
They look grate, a long time to shine but the outcome definitely seems worth it.
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Post by jasoninsd on Mar 13, 2021 19:50:03 GMT -5
All very nice, I like the pet wood too. And now you have me curious about what's been in there for a year! Word for word what I would've posted! (Including the popcorn!) There really are some good looking rocks in this batch!
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,512
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Post by Brian on Mar 13, 2021 21:01:46 GMT -5
Great looking batch! Pet wood was my first rock love as a kid, so I am still partial to it. There is so much variety in it.
I'm still impressed that your amethyst comes out so nice after such long times in polish. Do you use any cushioning for it or do anything else special? The few amethyst pieces we have had are all pretty chipped and bruised.
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Post by stephan on Mar 13, 2021 21:05:03 GMT -5
Other than the Capital of Libya, what is Tripoli?
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 13, 2021 21:19:35 GMT -5
Other than the Capital of Libya, what is Tripoli? A polish like Zam... I think... I'm pretty sure.
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,512
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Post by Brian on Mar 13, 2021 21:59:11 GMT -5
Other than the Capital of Libya, what is Tripoli? Edited because apparently my brain was asleep when I typed this the first time. As correctly stated and linked below, Tripoli is a silica based material. Zam is a mix of aluminum oxide and chrome oxide.
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Post by stephan on Mar 13, 2021 22:06:20 GMT -5
Ah! From the original post, it seemed it was not an oxide. I guess I misread.
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Post by amygdule on Mar 13, 2021 23:11:37 GMT -5
Two weeks in rotary Tripoli will polish your agates
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Mar 14, 2021 8:21:42 GMT -5
I cushion with plastic Polly pellets. Tripoli has always been my go-to Pre Polish- Guess it works good as a Polish too if given long enough. I always had trouble with Amethyst also but after a very long run (well over a year and a half invested in this batch) I finally got what I wanted. Trick is to not remove it from course until it is chip free (at least 1/3 of the stone was ground away) I cushion the load from the fine stage until the end.
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