kptom
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2021
Posts: 4
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Post by kptom on May 30, 2021 18:11:07 GMT -5
Hello All!
I am new to this hobby, and ordering my first tumbler... a Lortone 33B.The extent of my knowledge about the various grits to use is that I love Low Country Shrimp and Grits with some hot sauce when I'm down in South Carolina!
I was thinking that I need the following stages of grit... 1. 80 grit or 60/90 grit silicon carbide
2. 120/220 grit silicon carbide 3. 400 grit silicon carbide 4. Some kind of aluminum oxide polish
Does this sound about right? Am I missing anything in the process? As a beginner, I appreciate any advice or suggestions.
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Post by manofglass on May 30, 2021 18:27:55 GMT -5
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Post by aDave on May 30, 2021 18:35:36 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. 60/90 is fine for your tumbler. The only minor change I'd make is 500 AO for your third step. SiC tends to be more of a cutting abrasive while AO smooths more. That's my personal preference, as others may be totally fine with SiC at that stage. Some will use a 1000 AO pre-polish, but I never did. My results were sufficient for me, and it saved the time in not doing an additional step. As it was, all my steps after the coarse stage took about 7 weeks to complete when I was doing all rotary work. AO polish is what you're looking for, as you noted. Something in the range of 13,000 to 14,000 is ideal, though some will use TXP which is around 8000. If you get your polish from the Rock Shed, their polish comes in at about 13,000. Good luck.
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rocket
spending too much on rocks
Quality slabs for quality cabs in 2022
Member since September 2020
Posts: 292
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Post by rocket on May 30, 2021 21:47:19 GMT -5
Welcome from Maryland
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Post by hummingbirdstones on May 30, 2021 22:05:06 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona!
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on May 31, 2021 6:40:14 GMT -5
I use SiC 60/90 course 120/220 medium 500 fine Tripoli for prepolish and AO polish.
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,432
Member is Online
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Post by Wooferhound on May 31, 2021 7:36:36 GMT -5
Here in North Alabama I get my grits from Quaker They are best with a bit of Salt and lots of Butter Making me hungry now . . .
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Jun 3, 2021 16:37:50 GMT -5
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