bradb
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2022
Posts: 1
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Post by bradb on Jun 4, 2022 20:40:52 GMT -5
First timer here. I skipped the page where it said to add water. I did the first 3 stages dry. Rocks still became very round and smooth. 4th round I added the white polish powder along WITH water. Pamphlet said to run it for 4 days with the polish. They came out smooth but unpolished. Very dry looking.
I purchased rock tumbler medium grit through Amazon. It had rave reviews and everyone said it had the correct (white) polish. I cleaned the rocks and tumbler really well, added the polish with little buffer beads and ran it for another 7 days like their pamphlet suggested. 11 days altogether of polishing and they still came out looking dry and unpolished.
What have I done wrong? Was it because I didn't add water previously? I figured if I found smooth rocks in the yard and ran them through the last step they would still polish, so it shouldn't matter much what happened previously. I definitely had water this time. I just don't know why they look so awful. They won't polish. ☹️
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Post by manofglass on Jun 4, 2022 21:02:49 GMT -5
Welcome from Michigan
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Post by stonemon on Jun 4, 2022 21:14:43 GMT -5
Welcome to the addiction. What kind of rocks are you tumbling? Soft rocks will not always shine up... Many folks here who can guide you!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2022 21:49:56 GMT -5
Can you upload pictures of what they look like? Also what type of rock is it and what type of tumbler are you using?
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Post by perkins17 on Jun 4, 2022 22:55:44 GMT -5
Okay, one idea of mine is the possibility that the grit is bad. My first tumbler was a Dan and Darci rock tumbler that's polish straight up didn't work. I would recommend using water next time, for dust control, heat, ect. Good luck!
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Post by parfive on Jun 4, 2022 23:54:15 GMT -5
Welcome, Brad. I did the first 3 stages dry. Rocks still became very round and smooth. Maybe, but I’ll bet they weren’t smooth enough to polish. Go back to the third stage (which is probably about 500 grit) and run it again, for a week. Also, most yard rocks (and beach rocks) don’t polish well. Some, like quartzite, take a nice polish but most just end up with a matte finish.
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Post by Rockoonz on Jun 4, 2022 23:56:28 GMT -5
I wonder if you shouldn't go back to stage 2 with water this time and repeat. The slurry created by the grit, water and ground up rocks also cushions the rocks, guessing the surface is rounded but not ground fine enough to be ready for polish.
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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 Jun 5, 2022 21:53:00 GMT -5
Welcome from Charles Town WV. (Think Charles Washington, brother of our first President.)
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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 Jun 5, 2022 22:02:40 GMT -5
I just don't know why they look so awful. They won't polish. ☹️ Consider that every stage in the tumbler does something. Skipping or not getting one right could set up the next stage for problems. You don't say just how long your stones were in each stage...?
Also, one thing that I've learned is that not every kind of stone will polish up. Some, the best you'll get is a nice matte finish.
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,547
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Post by RWA3006 on Jun 5, 2022 22:33:41 GMT -5
Welcome, Brad. I did the first 3 stages dry. Rocks still became very round and smooth. Maybe, but I’ll bet they weren’t smooth enough to polish. Go back to the third stage (which is probably about 500 grit) and run it again, for a week. Also, most yard rocks (and beach rocks) don’t polish well. Some, like quartzite, take a nice polish but most just end up with a matte finish. This. You need to use the early stages to create the foundation for the polish to be successful. I especially won't skimp on the first stage.
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Post by rmf on Jun 6, 2022 3:38:28 GMT -5
What Rockoonz said. Even though you started out with rounded beach rocks that is not the same as the finish from a tumbler. Start with 220 grit tumble a week (with water) the go to 400/500/600 what ever the next step is for your grit. Tumble a week each time you change grit. Then go to polish. Most kits have some combination of Coarse grit (46/70, 60/90, 80, 100, 120), Medium (150/220, 120/220, 220), Fine (400, 500, 600) then a polish. Beach rocks have already been tumbled on coarse. You need to start with medium.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jun 10, 2022 7:27:31 GMT -5
I guess I differ as I would take them back all the way to course. Run them for a week to 2 weeks. Run them in each stage for 2 weeks (minimum) I have tried the "beach" rock route of skipping course. DID NOT WORK at all. I wasted a lot of time (and grit) as they all ended up back in course grit anyway
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toucansan
off to a rocking start
Loving Rocks!
Member since July 2018
Posts: 9
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Post by toucansan on Jun 15, 2022 9:37:30 GMT -5
If you are using National Geographic polish or grit, get rid of it! Use a polish from The Rock Shed or Rock Tumbler. Basically anything other than that brand. That brand really messed up my friends first tumbling batch. Take a look at your rocks when they are dry using a magnifying glass or reading glasses. If you can see scratches, start over with 120/220 Aluminum Oxide for 7 days. Check them again, using magnification. If still scratches, repeat. If no visible scratches, move onto 500 Aluminum Oxide for 7 days. Progress to Aluminum Oxide Polish. This is for rocks that are at least a 6.5 - 7 on the mohs scale.
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