cheqeryah
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 6
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Post by cheqeryah on Feb 16, 2022 13:43:02 GMT -5
Hi, Im new to all this...rock carving and you guys' forum here!
I have not figured out the photo uploading thing either, yet.
My question is, can anyone help with ideas or knowledge or experience in polishing intricate stone carvings? Have you ever seen the Chinese videos, the Awesome Creators? That's what I'm attempting to do. How, in the world, do they polish those little intricate carvings without breaking everything? Or wearing them away to nothing?
I have created a three twist pendant from a red poppy agate slab and an oblong round yellow agate with a cross burrowed out of the middle of it, standing upright. The little cross measures 1" high x 1/2" across. Does it really take hours and hours of "finger sanding" to get little carvings like that polished?
Are there polishing tools out there that I'm missing in my searching?
I have a rotary tool round, soft pad/velcro backed polisher, (that seems worthless)...and wet/dry sandpaper.
Gosh I wish I could upload the photos!
On the pendant, I have finger sanded with 220 for hours and still can't seem to get all the little pits out or get down in the centers and all.
I'll keep working on photo uploading...hope someone can help! Thanks!
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cheqeryah
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 6
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Post by cheqeryah on Feb 16, 2022 14:10:20 GMT -5
Ah, well, I now see another member's question on kinda the same subject. The worry stone guy.
I'll still appreciate any answers, but will understand if y'all let the other guy's answers be my answers. LOL
Sigh, pay attention, dummy. (note to self)
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cheqeryah
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 6
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Post by cheqeryah on Feb 16, 2022 14:46:56 GMT -5
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cheqeryah
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 6
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Post by cheqeryah on Feb 16, 2022 14:47:55 GMT -5
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cheqeryah
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 6
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Post by cheqeryah on Feb 16, 2022 14:49:51 GMT -5
Holy cow, those are big! But, Ta-Daaa!  |
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catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Post by catskillrocks on Feb 16, 2022 15:07:01 GMT -5
Hi cheqeryah , you mentioned that you had a rotary tool, and I'm assuming that it is something like a Dremel. Several people on this forum use a Dremel to create cabochons from start to finish, so with the proper attachments you would be able to finish those remarkable works of art beautifully. Good luck. |
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,512
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Post by Brian on Feb 16, 2022 15:49:18 GMT -5
Those are cool carvings! The rotary tool may be a good option for you to polish those up as well. Alternatively, a vibe tumbler may be able to polish up some of the larger easier to reach surfaces, but you would still need to get those hard to reach places with something else like a rotary tool.
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 16, 2022 15:51:00 GMT -5
Great job on the pictures!!! It is a bit of a pain to set up.
I like your carvings. I think maybe miket can help as he uses rotary tools and tips to sand cabochons.
Welcome aboard!!
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Post by miket on Feb 16, 2022 22:45:57 GMT -5
Those carvings are great! I think there are probably some different shaped burrs that would help to get the pits out and of course they come in various grit sizes. I use a vibe on my cabs for polishing, but I'm sure you could find something that would work for that, too. Here's a picture of the sets that I get, I'm thinking that the cone-shaped burrs might work well. Good luck and keep us posted!  |
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aGates
has rocks in the head
Building a silver studio
Member since January 2021
Posts: 518
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Post by aGates on Feb 17, 2022 8:54:11 GMT -5
diamond pacific nova points conical or barrel you decide.
johnny agates btw sweet job carving. thats an interest of mine too.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 17, 2022 9:38:26 GMT -5
Welcome! There are many tools you can use to carve and polish your carvings. Diamond burs, sandpaper, diamond paste with handmade wood points to get in the really tricky places other tools won't get to, even string and diamond paste. There is a good book called Lapidary Carving for Creative Jewelry by Henry Hunt that has a lot of the techniques in it as well as how to make the custom tools you may need. It is out of print, I believe, but maybe your library may have a copy. There are copies out there, but they are stupid expensive. Also check out Kurt Kainzer's threads. He was a prolific carver here; sadly he hasn't been around in a while. Good luck! |
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cheqeryah
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 6
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Post by cheqeryah on Feb 17, 2022 11:42:05 GMT -5
THANK YOU, all of you, for your comments and your suggestions!
aGates, I will be looking up Nova points. Woot!
Wood points and diamond paste? Another woot!
So glad I asked y'all for help.
Going to look up Kurt Kainzer...
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 17, 2022 11:50:15 GMT -5
THANK YOU, all of you, for your comments and your suggestions! aGates, I will be looking up Nova points. Woot! Wood points and diamond paste? Another woot! So glad I asked y'all for help. Going to look up Kurt Kainzer... When I was making cabs with a Dremel, I'd use the Dremel EZ Lock Sanding Discs.   Once I'd worn down the disc, I'd just glue on my own wet/dry sandpaper so I didn't have to keep buying replacement discs. You can get the whole lineup of wet/dry sandpapers - all the way up into the 1000s. These would work on your pendant, but the cross would be difficult because of the tight spaces. Just another "option" to throw out at you. |
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