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Post by Original Admin on Nov 4, 2005 10:48:03 GMT -5
Oh no - its getting tricky It has been in Cerium Oxide for about 3 days. The last grit I used was 400 - and it was still re-shaping the rock - so I had to take it out el-rapido (15 hours). Based on the fact that the rock was shaping with 400 - I figured the smallest scratches would be of 400 size. Normally as the 400 breaks down - the finest scratching get smaller - so this didnt get that chance - the grit was all still present after about 15 hours. Soooooo - anyway - I stick it in Cerium - totally dull - but feeling far far smoother than when it came out of the 80 - I figured it wouldnt need a 220 in the end as its so soft. I keep looking each day - and find that the polish is going slightly greener all the time - very very slowly mind you! So - here is a picture of it - after 3 days in cerium. There is a very faint sheen on it now - like a "satin" look to it. My question - will it become shinier the longer I leave it in Cerium - or is this it ***maxed out***? Anyone know? The thing is - Ive done some reading round on the net and it looks like Tin Oxide may do a better job of Malachite. Infact - on reflection literally just sitting here looking at this bit - Im sure its become more shiny during the last round in the polish. Its very much different polishing this than other stuff. When wet - it looks great - like the necklass there from KD. I think - three more days for a bigger diff - then weigh up the next plan. Cheers all. PS - its the pic which makes it look grainy - it looks totally smooth and deep to light greens in reality.
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Post by Original Admin on Oct 25, 2005 17:56:33 GMT -5
Arrrrgghhh - such pressure dudes - I'll try my best!!!
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Post by Original Admin on Oct 25, 2005 8:44:45 GMT -5
Robert - I'd skip the 80 as im stopping with these shapes for now (this batch being a tester and all) - so I'd probably be cautious and take it back to 220 if I need to - probably.
I think the main thing at the polish stage is a tonne of plastic pellets and a VERY VERY CLEAN barrell - IE a brand new one.
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Post by Original Admin on Oct 25, 2005 8:34:09 GMT -5
Rollingstone - yes - I suspect the 220 and 600 phases will only need a day each. Its the softest rock Ive tumbled too - except for some amber I did which I left too long and the barrel was empty when I checked - ooops. Jack - yeah - there are 4 small chunks which have completely dissappeared already. Im keepin an eye in this. Alice - I have Cerium and Tin oxide to try. After that - I may ask the advice of the seller - hes a cool bloke. Its bought at manchester minerals - a shop over here in the UK. I get most stuff from there. Im hoping to get a good Malachite fridge magnet or two at least out of this. If it comes out well - I may spend £100 or so and do a big batch for a glass vase display type thingy
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Post by Original Admin on Oct 25, 2005 2:32:11 GMT -5
Ok - for those who like this stuff. I have this small batch on the go - its lost so much now after 48 hours in 80 that Im going to put it in 220 today and stick with the shapes I have. Is where its at at the mo - the slurry is bright green - looks irradiated One thing Ive noticed - is that as the rocks have ground down a bit - the outer swirls and patterens have been lost on some pieces which is a bit dissapointing. The main thing is the polish though - approaching this as a bit of a challenge. Will post more as they progress. Cheers Mark
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Post by Original Admin on Oct 25, 2005 17:46:58 GMT -5
"So is that what a vibe looks like?"
LOL
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Post by Original Admin on Oct 16, 2005 15:16:36 GMT -5
What the? Those are absolutely superb Cher. Great shape - great shine too. (been busy this week but catchin up.) Absolute stunners.
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Post by Original Admin on Sept 11, 2005 19:39:06 GMT -5
James - I have this problem with accepting things for free - I cant do it - not when so much effort went into the items. No way. I can send you a few of my own stones in return maybe - some which have come from their home ground - into the the US, found their way to members, then to me, then back to you? Thats the best I can offer on that front - dunno why but I like the "travelling stones" bit for some reason. What Im saying is that I have got to do something in return for a flint napping of yours - whilst I myself dont have the skill to do something as superb as that - I have to offer a price, or at the very least some of my own stuff from the board. "free" - Cant do that James. Pls would you PM me - and send in there your own address so I can return something to you. Free isnt an option Mark.
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Post by Original Admin on Sept 11, 2005 17:53:27 GMT -5
James - theres no doubting it - they are superb.
You can sell me one if you want - im in for buying. LMK how.
Mark
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Post by Original Admin on Aug 31, 2005 18:53:15 GMT -5
KD - for Aventurine that is a seriously nice polish. Perfect. Ive got some Blue and some Green but it always comes out a bit pitted - say 50 pits per square cm. This tends to dull its shine - but thats superb.
Ive got a chunk about 3 inches by 1 inch which needs to go into 220 - it was a gift from my mum when she got back from a holiday in Greece - I think this one may be dense enough to achieve that shine - fingers crossed.
Nice work.
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Post by Original Admin on Aug 19, 2005 1:12:34 GMT -5
That is totally awesome and classy looking - that really is something else - nice work Cher - and lucky earthdog.
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Post by Original Admin on Aug 19, 2005 1:31:09 GMT -5
Its good to have the barrels rolling again - the last lot I did was a bit of a disaster (green aventurine with some blue) - reason being there was a big chunk in there which I particularily wanted polishing but it trashed the rest and isnt finished so I need to buy some more and couldnt drive - but I can now. Gotta be very very patient with this lot - as most of it will end up in a medium sized glass vase as a present. For the polish they get new barrels so as to be as good as it gets. Gonna be about 3-4 weeks now before they are done. Anyone know how old it is - I reckon anywhere from 370 million years to 100 million years old. I think the Carboniferous era started around 370 million years ago - could be wrong though. Thats the good thing about fossils - you also have the "age" angle to come from which generally people find "incredible" to imagine time so long ago. Luv the stuff
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Post by Original Admin on Aug 18, 2005 5:02:29 GMT -5
All - thought I'd take some pics of this as it goes along - here they are after 5 recharges at 80. This batch is all the small-mediums - this is where I can see a few more fridge magnets being born! This batch is the "Dobba" batch - a few large chunks and the smaller ones are being sacrificed to get those smooth. Ill have to put a bit more in I think to get them grinding more. This batch contains the long thin ones - Im hoping to make a few pendants for keyrings - or maybe even a necklass. Another couple of goes at 80 for most of these - but some are coming out today and can wait for their 220 - as Im worried they may chip.
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Post by Original Admin on Aug 20, 2005 17:03:14 GMT -5
Krazy - that competition of yours has me stumped.. I just cant think of a name for that cab - Im sure its something to do with a fiery burning sea monster though I think ? Ive got a great one on the PW you sent me - I'll knock up a poll I think if that is of course I can bear to give it away..... or maybe I can do a comp on one stone and give another stone away. Depends on the outcome. Still rolling at the mo. Mark.
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Post by Original Admin on Aug 19, 2005 1:21:48 GMT -5
Rocky and Stefan - the Glue was Araldite Rapide (the one which is en epoxy in two tubes which sets rock hard almost). Everything gets fixed with Araldite round the house - good stuff). The magnets are from a hobby shop near me - they were $1.90 (£1.00) for 4 little flat squares about 2cm square each. They are like hard rubber and can be cut with scissors - so I cut them in half for these stones. I think the little round thick ones are better though. Amazing - a quick tip for making fridge magnets. If the magnetic strip is too flexible - it bends round the rock and therefore doesnt have a flat surface which will sit flush with the face of the fridge.........Thus losing its attraction to the metal a bit. Keep the magnet very flat Think I'll knock a few out for xmas presents aswell - a set of around 10 different rock types would be good I think.
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Post by Original Admin on Aug 18, 2005 5:38:19 GMT -5
Yes - "Manchester Minerals" - thats the one dunno why I added the "Rocks".
When you go in next time - ask them to show you round the warehouse behind the shop. Awesome - looks like something from another world.
I get almost everything I do from there - nice people too.
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Post by Original Admin on Aug 18, 2005 5:30:34 GMT -5
Hi Rose - the green one is "Moss Agate".
Got it rough from Manchester Rocks and Minerals in Stockport near b and q.
Nice stuff.
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Post by Original Admin on Aug 18, 2005 4:58:44 GMT -5
KD sent me two fridge magnets with her batch of Pet Wood - so I was inspired to make some of my own - I think the magnets cost more than the stones !! Top two are Krazy Diamonds - rest are my efforts - here they are in action Mark
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Post by Original Admin on Aug 19, 2005 1:34:18 GMT -5
Im glad I dont live near that place - i'd be skint. But to own a place like that would be essence.
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Post by Original Admin on Aug 13, 2005 19:53:59 GMT -5
Nice Cookie.
Ive been a bit down too - keep your sexy chin up thats some lovely stuff youve made there.
Mark
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