nursetumbler
Cave Dweller 
Member since February 2022
Posts: 992 
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Post by nursetumbler on Mar 1, 2022 22:33:18 GMT -5
Possibly a stupid question but I have to try. Bought rough that was marked Orchid calcite. Found a post from March 9th 2011 from learn2turn whom sounds like a chemist or something. He said calcite dissolves less in water if it is higher PH so suggested adding baking soda. My thought is this "If it dissolves in water could I polish it in ground corn cob with the grit and either start with normal stage 1 or skip to two?" 🤔 No one at the rock shop said this rough as well as others I bought couldn't be tumbled. 😠Please Let Me Know your thoughts. Thanks |
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lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 899
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Post by lordsorril on Mar 2, 2022 11:07:36 GMT -5
I am waiting for warmer weather to try my orchid calcite. I have seen finished orchid calcite pieces online (and in-person) and the patterning would appear that they are prone to fracturing...which makes me think lots of cushioning will be required. Given that my rough pieces are relatively small to start (shown below)-I can not afford to lose too much mass to totally round them out (or risk splitting)...My first planned rotary stage for shaping will be: 120/220 AOx (+ water) with ~30% plastic pellets (checked daily), all other stages of mine will be done in a vibe with the final stage being dry polish AOx in corn cob media.   If you move forward with tumbling: Let us know how it goes! Best of luck! |
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nursetumbler
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2022
Posts: 992
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Post by nursetumbler on Mar 3, 2022 1:10:36 GMT -5
I am waiting for warmer weather to try my orchid calcite. I have seen finished orchid calcite pieces online (and in-person) and the patterning would appear that they are prone to fracturing...which makes me think lots of cushioning will be required. Given that my rough pieces are relatively small to start (shown below)-I can not afford to lose too much mass to totally round them out (or risk splitting)...My first planned rotary stage for shaping will be: 120/220 AOx (+ water) with ~30% plastic pellets (checked daily), all other stages of mine will be done in a vibe with the final stage being dry polish AOx in corn cob media.  If you move forward with tumbling: Let us know how it goes! Best of luck! I put it in 2TBsp of 120/220 grit and 3TBsp of baking soda (found a post from 2011 that stated calcite dissolves much less with higher ph so I made my water have higher ph with baking soda) and small porcelain fill. I will keep you updated if you'd like. Nursetumbler |
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