Looking for final polishing advice
Apr 26, 2021 21:00:50 GMT -5
1dave, hummingbirdstones, and 1 more like this
Post by drocknut on Apr 26, 2021 21:00:50 GMT -5
Ok, so I know opinions are like butts, everyone has one, but I need some expert opinions so figured I'd hang out my laundry and just ask.
My friend and I got a very old used sort of homemade Genie in Quartzsite so we could finally make and finish our own materials plus fix a bunch of cabs I've had sitting around for a long time waiting to be fixed for various reasons not the least of which is I bought some cheap cabs over the years that were definitely sub par for wrapping. That being said I finally got tired of just putting them in baggies and want to try to salvage some of them if possible. It also helped that we collected some cool opal/agate and other goodies that we want to work so if we sell the rough we can answer the age old question, will it cab?
Now on to the opinions I need. The machine has wheels up to 3000 diamond currently with room for a polishing pad on the end of it. Some of the material we have worked has a pretty good shine but most just looks unfinished or could be better. I'm looking for a way to balance expense with quality in putting a final polish on the stones. I know different stones need different methods and there are a lot of options for polish but I don't have a big budget to get all kinds of diamond sprays, paste, compound, pads, or polishing powders so I need a starting point that would be good for a majority of stones including agate, common opal, jaspers, and other types of stones. We were thinking of buying the polishing pads that Diamond Pacific sells to screw on to the end of the Genie shaft since our machine has a spot to add that pad. The problem comes in with what type of pad and polish would work to get us going to better cabs.
I know the faster speed of the cab machine could cause problems but we don't have much room and would prefer not to buy a separate slower speed buffing/polishing arbor. Right now I'm thinking the polishing pad with smooth leather would be the best choice along with super cerium oxide powder mixed with water to make a polishing paste. I don't want to skimp when working the more expensive materials but I also don't want to spend a bunch of money on trial and error.
What would you suggest? I'd also like to hear ideas on where to get the best prices for them.
Thanks
My friend and I got a very old used sort of homemade Genie in Quartzsite so we could finally make and finish our own materials plus fix a bunch of cabs I've had sitting around for a long time waiting to be fixed for various reasons not the least of which is I bought some cheap cabs over the years that were definitely sub par for wrapping. That being said I finally got tired of just putting them in baggies and want to try to salvage some of them if possible. It also helped that we collected some cool opal/agate and other goodies that we want to work so if we sell the rough we can answer the age old question, will it cab?
Now on to the opinions I need. The machine has wheels up to 3000 diamond currently with room for a polishing pad on the end of it. Some of the material we have worked has a pretty good shine but most just looks unfinished or could be better. I'm looking for a way to balance expense with quality in putting a final polish on the stones. I know different stones need different methods and there are a lot of options for polish but I don't have a big budget to get all kinds of diamond sprays, paste, compound, pads, or polishing powders so I need a starting point that would be good for a majority of stones including agate, common opal, jaspers, and other types of stones. We were thinking of buying the polishing pads that Diamond Pacific sells to screw on to the end of the Genie shaft since our machine has a spot to add that pad. The problem comes in with what type of pad and polish would work to get us going to better cabs.
I know the faster speed of the cab machine could cause problems but we don't have much room and would prefer not to buy a separate slower speed buffing/polishing arbor. Right now I'm thinking the polishing pad with smooth leather would be the best choice along with super cerium oxide powder mixed with water to make a polishing paste. I don't want to skimp when working the more expensive materials but I also don't want to spend a bunch of money on trial and error.
What would you suggest? I'd also like to hear ideas on where to get the best prices for them.
Thanks
