waterboysh
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2021
Posts: 386
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Post by waterboysh on Jan 4, 2022 15:03:57 GMT -5
I have some Tiger's eye that is ready to come out of coarse, but have these ugly lumps on the top. To keep them in coarse would eat up the whole rock. For now I've taken them out of coarse and set them aside. A flat lap or cabbing machine would make short work of it, but I don't have any equipment and at the moment don't really have any interest in anything like this for various reasons. I was wondering what other options there may be. I'm thinking something like a dremel or something similar. But I don't really have any experience with any tools at all, so I'm open to some suggestions. This isn't the best piece of tiger's eye, but it shows the lump on top the best. This is the biggest one I think. One of them was small enough that I was able to grind it down by hand using 80 grit sandpaper... but it took like 15 minutes and it was nearly flat to begin with. That's why I started looking for a better way.
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Post by miket on Jan 4, 2022 15:11:33 GMT -5
I have some Tiger's eye that is ready to come out of coarse, but have these ugly lumps on the top. To keep them in coarse would eat up the whole rock. For now I've taken them out of coarse and set them aside. A flat lap or cabbing machine would make short work of it, but I don't have any equipment and at the moment don't really have any interest in anything like this for various reasons. I was wondering what other options there may be. I'm thinking something like a dremel or something similar. But I don't really have any experience with any tools at all, so I'm open to some suggestions. This isn't the best piece of tiger's eye, but it shows the lump on top the best. This is the biggest one I think. One of them was small enough that I was able to grind it down by hand using 80 grit sandpaper... but it took like 15 minutes and it was nearly flat to begin with. That's why I started looking for a better way. Use a dremel, it would work perfectly for this...
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waterboysh
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2021
Posts: 386
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Post by waterboysh on Jan 4, 2022 21:24:51 GMT -5
There as so many different dremel models and accessories I don't know what I should get.
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Post by miket on Jan 4, 2022 22:02:16 GMT -5
I just use a dremel from Wally World, but I don't recommend a cordless. For bits I use these, jasoninsd uses a different type. I think either would be fine. These are pretty affordable on Amazon.
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catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Post by catskillrocks on Jan 4, 2022 23:03:23 GMT -5
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 5, 2022 10:10:14 GMT -5
There as so many different dremel models and accessories I don't know what I should get. Not trying to blow your question off...but honestly, if you do a search on the forum for "Dremel", you'll get several discussions about types of Dremels and types of bits to use with them...tons of information on here.
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waterboysh
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2021
Posts: 386
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Post by waterboysh on Jan 9, 2022 23:33:28 GMT -5
Is it a good idea to get the flex shaft attachment? Seems like it'd be a little safer as far as keeping water away from the motor goes. www.amazon.com/dp/B0000302Y8/
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jan 10, 2022 9:41:23 GMT -5
Yes. It's easier to handle the flex shaft handpiece as well. Unless you clamp it down on the workbench and then have both hands to hold the rock.
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Post by miket on Jan 10, 2022 10:13:35 GMT -5
I've never used a flex attachment, but it probably is a good idea. I keep a small dish of water on the bench and dip the stone, then grind, dip, etc... However, I've also grinded on my thumb and fingers a few times instead of the rock!
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waterboysh
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2021
Posts: 386
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Post by waterboysh on Jan 10, 2022 12:02:21 GMT -5
I know nothing about grinding rocks. I picked up a Dremel 3000 model on clearance at Lowes. But I'm not really sure what attachments I want. I also know nothing about Dremels... lol. I'm going to get the flex shaft attachment. For cutting, I assume I need the diamond cutting wheel. Looking on Amazon and the prices are all over the place. But maybe something like this? I picked one up while I was at Lowes and I guess I got the wrong type of blade. There's no way to attach it to any shaft that came with my Dremel that I can see, so I'll probably return that one. For grinding, the link that catskillrocks provided was for diamond coated grinders. Is that better than silicon carbide or aluminum oxide? Now that I've got the Dremel, I'd like to use it for very rough shaping before tumbling. Things like cutting off little protrusions or grinding a small bad spot. Not really wanting to do major grinding and shaping. Probably just cutting grooves for the chisel to have a good place to not slip for the most part. What speed do I want to use when cutting or grinding rocks? It can go up to 35,000 rpm.
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Post by miket on Jan 10, 2022 12:28:25 GMT -5
I've never used those wheels, but I believe jasoninsd has. He could probably give you advice on that. Those are the ones that I use- I can't really say if they're better than silicon carbide or aluminum oxide. Again, maybe someone else has. I think you'll have to figure out what speed works best for you. The Dremels that I've used weren't variable speed and I can't remember right now which model I even have so I don't know what rpm it runs at. I'll try to check and get back to you. One more thing- the Dremels will wear out, too. I have a pile of 3 or 4 broken ones that I keep thinking I'm going to work on- but I use them to cab and I've used them a ton.
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Post by miket on Jan 11, 2022 16:27:40 GMT -5
waterboysh, I checked last night and the Dremel that I'm currently using is one of the 100 series and it runs at 35,000 rpm. Full speed ahead!
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LazerFlash
Cave Dweller
The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 550
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Post by LazerFlash on Jan 11, 2022 22:45:20 GMT -5
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 12, 2022 5:36:12 GMT -5
Thanks for posting the link and picture to this. I know miket tagged me earlier...but I was too swamped to find the link...okay...kinda swamped, but more lazy! Sorry! LOL TO waterboysh - The picture that Lazerflash posted of the three diamond grinding wheels (bits) is the set I use. They're cheap...so expect them to last only so long. The diamonds are "coated" on the outside, so they will wear away. Just know they're cheap enough to replace them often enough. I use the wheel on the left (the smaller one) to shape the dome on most cabs I do with the Dremel. I don't do that very much anymore, but on occasion I have. The two larger wheels on the right and in the middle will work well for just grinding off "bad spots" on material. Neither of those will fit in a Dremel. The shaft is too big. I've used them in a cordless drill and they worked fine. In fact, I used that one in the middle to shape my "cat cabochon" for last month's cab contest...so they can do all kinds of things. And as far as the Dremel itself, I have a variable speed...I can't remember the model. I don't go 35k like Mike does (it definitely works for him though!). I usually start out at a lower speed and let the rock and the Dremel talk to me. I'll increase the speed or decrease it as needed. Slower speed means more control, but more time to grind a spot. Faster speed will remove material faster, but you're sacrificing control...at least that's how I think of it. If all you're doing is grinding off bad spots, then don't be afraid of experimenting with how you do it...
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waterboysh
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2021
Posts: 386
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Post by waterboysh on Jan 13, 2022 11:44:55 GMT -5
Got me some attachments and the flex shaft ordered. Arriving Friday and Saturday. In my current batch of Tiger's Eye that's going in coarse, there are a few that I don't think will ever turn out good. I'll probably pull some of those out and practice on those. This will be a fun weekend. Have a 3lb barrel finishing up polish. Two 3lb barrels finishing up pre-polish. I should have my Lot-o mounted and I think the contents of both these barrels will fit in for my first batch of polish in it (or I might split it in half and add ceramic). Plus I'll hopefully be able to grind out some bad spots on the Tiger's Eye. Also, since I won't be using the 3lb barrels anymore for stages 2 - 4, I'll have two empty ones and I think all the remaining Tiger's Eye will fit. That'll free up my 6lb barrel for the various jaspers I've got ready to go.
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waterboysh
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2021
Posts: 386
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Post by waterboysh on Jan 17, 2022 0:53:45 GMT -5
Quick followup question about using the Dremel. I noticed that the areas I ground down with the Dremel are noticeably rougher than the other areas of the rock. Do you think it would be okay at that point to put into medium grit in the Lot-o or should I run it through a week of coarse again to re-smooth out the area before moving on?
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Post by Son Of Beach on Jan 17, 2022 7:00:40 GMT -5
Quick followup question about using the Dremel. I noticed that the areas I ground down with the Dremel are noticeably rougher than the other areas of the rock. Do you think it would be okay at that point to put into medium grit in the Lot-o or should I run it through a week of coarse again to re-smooth out the area before moving on? From personal experience with the same, run it in coarse.
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Post by miket on Jan 17, 2022 10:21:44 GMT -5
Quick followup question about using the Dremel. I noticed that the areas I ground down with the Dremel are noticeably rougher than the other areas of the rock. Do you think it would be okay at that point to put into medium grit in the Lot-o or should I run it through a week of coarse again to re-smooth out the area before moving on? What I do when I ground cabs is first use a coarser (newer?) burr, then use another burr that has had more use. Then I put them in the vibe. I can't remember what I used to do when I only had rotary tumblers, but I don't think a week in coarse would hurt anything...
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 17, 2022 10:35:28 GMT -5
waterboysh you can also get some finer grit diamond burs to smooth out the really rough spots. I don't know what grit the ones you have are, but I'm guessing they are really rough -- 40 or 50 grit. You can do a search, but here's what Kingsley North has: Kingsley North Carving Tools
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LazerFlash
Cave Dweller
The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 550
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Post by LazerFlash on Jan 17, 2022 20:38:59 GMT -5
The two larger wheels on the right and in the middle will work well for just grinding off "bad spots" on material. Neither of those will fit in a Dremel. The shaft is too big. I've used them in a cordless drill and they worked fine. Okay, I probably should've just moved on. But, it struck me as odd that a company sells accessories specifically for rotary tools, but one of the collet sizes doesn't exist IRL, forcing buyers to use another tool (cordless drill, die grinder, etc). Aside from the inadvisability of using an adapter to increase a rotary tool's collet size up to 1/4", I couldn't let it go. I found this for 50 bucks on Etsy: 1/4" Mega Chuck for Dremel (Extra Large quarter inch chuck for rotary tools)
FWIW, Harbor Freight has quite a few die grinders, several for under $20.
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