Fugly
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2004
Posts: 11
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Post by Fugly on Oct 7, 2004 9:13:24 GMT -5
I am new and have tones of questions about polishing stones. I have been experimenting with grinding and drilling stones into shapes for pendants ect. but I do not know how to polish the finished product after the grinding down. How do i do this in a cheap way ie. dremel tool or do you need an expensive lapidary machine to do it successfully. Can I tumble these without damaging or comprimising the shape.Do I need to use the pellets I've heard about in the tumble... some of the stones I"ve shaped are animals ect. and are fragile with limbs.
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bcbunny
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 112
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Post by bcbunny on Oct 7, 2004 9:45:16 GMT -5
Hi Fugly,
Welcome to the forums.
I am pretty new myself, and this group has helped me ALOT. I am always posting any questions I have and they have always gotten answered.
I can't answer your questions but just wanted to welcome you aboard.
I do know that people here do use dremels for all kinds of stuff, I even went out and bought one, haven't had much time to use it yet tho.
Good luck and welcome Bunny
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Post by Cher on Oct 7, 2004 11:36:03 GMT -5
I can tell you from my experience (it isn't a lot but ...) I've done a little shaping with a dremel and have found it's best to do it after at least running it through the coarse 60/90 grit but I'm going to give it a try after the 2nd stage of 120/200. The coarse grit really takes a lot off the stones so if you've done any kind of shaping where you want it to hold that shape, it probably won't. I asked before about drilling holes for pendants and was told to wait until after polishing as the grit could get stuck in the hole and if you didn't get it out, contaminate the next stage. You don't need an "expensive" lapidary machine for tumbling, just don't get a toy type tumbler. I wouldn't get anything less than a Chicago Electric which starts at around $20.00. I'd recommend a Lortone 33B though, I got mine for around $77.00 and that included the shipping. I also wouldn't recommend getting anything less than a 2 barrel tumbler. With 2 barrels you can use one for the coarser grits and one for the polishes. Again, there's less chance of contamination that way. [glow=red,2,300] ~ Cher ~[/glow] pages.prodigy.net/bestsmileys1/signs/RockOn.gif [/img]
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Fugly
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2004
Posts: 11
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Post by Fugly on Oct 9, 2004 12:59:21 GMT -5
Thanks Cher.. Let me know how the 120/200 goes...
Good Luck..
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Post by cookie3rocks on Oct 9, 2004 19:00:02 GMT -5
Hi Fug, If youve allready shaped you may be able to go to 120-220 or even 500, depending on how coares the bits were that you used. Do you know? Mine are 80 grit, and I use a vibe, so I always atart with 120-220- regaurdless. If the stones have been pre shape, the cycle just goes much faster. And I think pellets would probably be a good Idea, better safe than sorry.
cookie
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Fugly
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2004
Posts: 11
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Post by Fugly on Oct 9, 2004 21:35:15 GMT -5
Ok I am not sure of the grits all i know is the packs come in course, fine, pre-polish and polish. So if i preshape the stones can I skip the course stage and go to the fine. All I know about the tools are that they are diamond coated disks for the dremel. They leave a smooth finish but dull the stone. Lastly when i use the pellets, do i fill them to the top after the water and polish are added or do i just put a few pellets in. I just ordered three pounds of pellets and don't have a clue on how to use them.
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Post by rockyraccoon on Oct 9, 2004 23:05:09 GMT -5
usually i go: 60/90 120/220 400 or 500 1000 polish
but i just moved 2 loads from 120/220 to sisa then will go to polish. james had said he does this and i thought i'd give it a try.
in a grit pack it's usually 60/90, 120/220, 400 - 600, and a polish. i've had it really help the polish stage to add the 1000 step.
i fill my barrel to 2/3 full including the pellets, add my grit then water until the pellets just start to float.
kim
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