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Post by Toad on Sept 28, 2004 12:43:28 GMT -5
What is the softest material anyone here has successfully tumbled?
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Skipper
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2003
Posts: 258
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Post by Skipper on Sept 28, 2004 13:42:06 GMT -5
Howlite...I'll be posting pix soon.
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Post by krazydiamond on Sept 28, 2004 14:35:08 GMT -5
define successfully...............!
i've tumbled stichtite (MOH 1.5-2.5) and Utah Wonderstone (MOH 3), they look great, but wouldn't take a polish.
the softest thing i've got to polish nicely is Sodalite (MOH 5-5.5)....
KD
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Post by Toad on Sept 28, 2004 17:57:08 GMT -5
Anyone try malachite?
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Post by krazydiamond on Sept 28, 2004 17:58:37 GMT -5
no, it's been a little out of my price range, but i'd give it a go if i could find some cheap, good rough.
KD
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bwalters
has rocks in the head
Member since March 2004
Posts: 557
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Post by bwalters on Sept 28, 2004 18:27:15 GMT -5
I've tried malachite.....unsuccessfully! I'm going to send it back soon and try a different polish. Hope it will SHINE the next time!
I used a generic polish that I got from our almost local rock shop the first time. Next time, I'm gonna try tin oxide.
BE
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Post by krazydiamond on Sept 28, 2004 18:43:34 GMT -5
wow, i didn't realize malachite was so soft! there must be some secret to it(polishing) as it is out there as a semi precious material....expensive stuff too! (finished, i mean)...
i have some Chrome Ox for softer stones i have never tried yet. i may do a "soft stone revival" batch...
KD
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Post by docone31 on Sept 29, 2004 20:40:36 GMT -5
Selenite. I also faceted some orange selenite. I do not reccomend it. It goes away pretty fast in the tumbler. I polished in aluminum oxide. Malachite can be dry polished in walnut media. I tumbled some by accident and finished it in walnut.
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Post by Toad on Sept 29, 2004 21:29:27 GMT -5
What is the moh # for selenite?
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bwalters
has rocks in the head
Member since March 2004
Posts: 557
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Post by bwalters on Sept 29, 2004 21:37:23 GMT -5
Doc, I don't understand what you mean by dry tumbling malachite in walnut media. Could you explain that a little further, but still keep it simple, please?
Thanks, BE
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Post by docone31 on Sept 29, 2004 21:40:42 GMT -5
After doing the malachite with ordinary polish, I remove the malachite and tumble it with walnut media. It looks nice, and is shiney. It is pretty simple. Just run it dry and let it tumble. I filled it about 1/2 way with walnut.
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bwalters
has rocks in the head
Member since March 2004
Posts: 557
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Post by bwalters on Sept 29, 2004 22:03:10 GMT -5
Thanks, Doc, Just a couple of questions..... which ordinary polish......and where do you recommend someone get walnut media?
Thanks again, BE
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Post by docone31 on Sept 29, 2004 22:18:44 GMT -5
Any gun shop should have it, or can order it. Rio Grande and Indian jewelery supply also has it. I also used aluminum oxide for final polish. The walnut seemed to get the aluminum polish that was on the surface out. It worked pretty well.
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bwalters
has rocks in the head
Member since March 2004
Posts: 557
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Post by bwalters on Sept 30, 2004 20:12:11 GMT -5
Doc, Am I understanding you correctly, that you used the walnut like a burnish (instead of a Borax or grated Ivory wash)? And, how did you know to do this? Was it a successful experiment?
I tried polishing my malachite twice with the same polish, once in a rotary and then in a vibe, both times with pellets. After the 2nd run, my stones came out pitted so I'm going to have to back them up a step before I can attempt to polish them again.
Thanks for the info, Doc. I will definitely let you know if this works for me.
BE
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Post by docone31 on Sept 30, 2004 20:23:26 GMT -5
WIth malachite, and turquoise, both copper minerals, the walnut acts like a burnish with a very mild polishing effect. Of course the stone has to be ready to final polish but it shines up real well. I also use walnut media sold for reloading shell casings. There is a lubricant that makes a great shine. Lapis is the same, but, who would polish malachite, lapis, and turquoise anyway? They scream out for leather buff and cerium oxide!
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bwalters
has rocks in the head
Member since March 2004
Posts: 557
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Post by bwalters on Sept 30, 2004 20:37:34 GMT -5
Sorry, Doc. I don't have the set up to do the stones like you recommend. Wish I did cuz I have some more malachite that hasn't seen a tumbler yet. Maybe I'll save it and see if someday I can get the appropriate set up to finish them the right way!
BE
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Post by creativeminded on Oct 1, 2004 9:09:39 GMT -5
I had one piece of malachite, not sure where I got it, but I got a nice satin finish on it and my mother loved it. I first tried Alum oxide and didn't get much of a shine however, I reran it in 500, tripoli, 1000 grit and finially in Cerium Oxide and got a nice satin finish on it. Tami
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Mazanec
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2004
Posts: 355
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Post by Mazanec on Oct 1, 2004 13:36:04 GMT -5
Selenite = 2, malachite approaches 4.
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Post by Toad on Oct 1, 2004 21:29:28 GMT -5
So tumbling must have more to do with a mineral's overall integrity rather than its hardness, otherwise a mineral like selenite would never make it.
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Skipper
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2003
Posts: 258
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Post by Skipper on Oct 4, 2004 13:21:46 GMT -5
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