Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2012 14:08:14 GMT -5
I read much about "burnishing" the stones with soap.
A) is it before and/or after polish?
and
B) Is this is done dry using the soap as a sort of dry polish?
My first tumbler coming any day now and I am hoping for success out of the gate. I have an antsy 15 y/o who likes shiny rocks.
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Post by susand24224 on Mar 22, 2012 19:46:55 GMT -5
Hi! My procedure is to use soap before and after polish, with more water than I would use during the regular grit stages. In the rotary, I went almost to the top of the barrel; in the vibe I add a little over a cup. This gives extra cushion and since the goal is not to wear down the stone, the extra water doesn't interfere.
Everyone has a different formula. Probably all of them will work!
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 22, 2012 20:48:15 GMT -5
What Susan said. Think of it as a wash cycle. It will clean the bowl as well as the rocks. If you use ceramic media it cleans them as well.
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jukerocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2012
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Post by jukerocks on Mar 31, 2012 21:44:09 GMT -5
I have alot of different instructions for rotary tumbling, one of which is to burnish the rocks in between steps 1, 2, 3 and one final wash after polishing. If you are only using one barrel for all steps, this seems to make sense - helps to clean the barrel as well so no left over grit contaminates the next step!
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Post by susand24224 on Mar 31, 2012 22:23:44 GMT -5
Some people burnish after each step, and it is likely a good precaution. Some people have "dedicated barrels" for each step, another good precaution. It certainly isn't going to hurt to do a wash after each step.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Apr 1, 2012 4:08:44 GMT -5
Hi Shotgunner, I Burnish/wash at the pre polishing stage ( before I put them into the final dedicated polishing barrel )
And I do a 48 hour wash/burnish they come out with a fair polish on after this stage
A lot of people say it dosent do any good to burnish as they only try to burnish their load for a few hours which is a waste of time in my opinion
But every one has their own (perfect) Ideas ! ! !
Jack Yorkshire uk
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Post by mrswtownsend on Apr 1, 2012 10:24:22 GMT -5
It makes a big difference in the results after each grit when you do, IMO. I use Borax (laundry soap), which seems to work for everything (metal, rocks, laundry... ;D ).
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Apr 4, 2012 3:46:26 GMT -5
Hi Gina. Most people use Borax and Ivory soap
But In Uk Borax is off the market due to some rubbishy European safty rules but there is a substitute which seems to work ok
Jack Yorkshire uk
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2012 21:18:02 GMT -5
If the goal is to wash stuff, then I see no reason dry soaps or even borax is required.
I am running a batch with my wifes laundry liquid detergent. No bubbles but makes the water wetter and cleaning the barrel easier too.
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Apr 18, 2012 14:32:41 GMT -5
Strictly speaking, burnishing is NOT washing. it is a polishing process whereby you achieve a better pppolish by rubbing the stones against each other without additional abrasive. it relies on friction and close contact which the wetting agent (soap) provides. I really don't notice much difference if I burnish or not. I do wash the stones pretty thoroughly and my gyrRoc 10 lb vibe has a low speed setting for cleaning between stages after thorough rinsing. It gets any slurry out of the little crevices and I'm sure improves the end result. It only takes about 15 minutes with generous amounts of water and 1/2 tsp of Ivory Snow.
Mark H.
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2012 15:18:06 GMT -5
Thanks to everyone for sharing your knowledge. It it is gratefully appreciated. Just a note. I have added liquid Tide laundry detergent to a few of my batches. I find it makes cleaning the barrells and the stones between grits easier. My number of comparisons is very small (<5) I get the general impression I will have less carryover of grit from one batch to the next. Time will tell. Pics when I finish.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Apr 19, 2012 3:45:27 GMT -5
Shotgunner
[glow=red,2,300]I get the general impression I will have less carryover of grit from one batch to the next. [/glow]
You have to be clinically clean NO carry over at all ! ! !
A few grains of"carry over" 200 in your final polish and the batch comes out dull,
Thats why I do a full 48 hour Burnish/wash before they enter the final polishing barrel and other people wash / burnish each batch
Jack Yorkshire uk
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apehanger
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2012
Posts: 13
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Post by apehanger on May 6, 2012 12:41:13 GMT -5
Jack, what is this 'substitute' you use instead of borax? At the moment I am using 'Pure' soap scrapings. Thanks
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2012 16:44:01 GMT -5
Thanks Yorkshire jack. After a week of tumbling I see no full sized grit in my tumblers. I see very fine grit in the gravy but no grit the size it started at. The grit for the next step is of greater size than what remains after a week of spinning. I have some AZ Rainbow Pet Wood (from Stonesthatrock!) running at 800grit and some quartzy stuff from a very special locality now in 500. I figure in two-three weeks I'll have shiny pet wood and in three-four I'll have shiny quartzy stuff. I'll announce the locality for this material when it is polished. It's kinda funny! apehanger if you are happy with your 'pure soap' then no need to change. Or, try using what you wash your clothes in. It is naturally non-foaming and makes the water wetter. I am using liquid tide (because that is what SWMBO uses for our clothes) and the barrels clean up real fast between steps.
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on May 6, 2012 17:37:31 GMT -5
I burnish for 24 hours after the polish step with a few drops of dish soap. The burnishing provides a noticeable improvement in the finish of my tumbles.I just tumble agates, flints or jaspers so they are similar in hardness. Doc Harber is correct in that burnishing is the rubbing of polished surfaces. The soap may just ensure that the contact points are slick.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 7, 2012 14:03:54 GMT -5
Hi Apehanger, The stuff is actualy called "clear & Natural Borax substitute" Made by www.Dri-Pak.co.uk , On the packet it says see www.productingredients.net it contains Sodium Sesquicarbonate hope this is of help to you jack yorkshire uk
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apehanger
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2012
Posts: 13
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Post by apehanger on May 8, 2012 12:45:37 GMT -5
Thanks, I'll have to speak to the owner of our local shop and see if she can get some sent up next time she is 'daan saaf' in England. ;D
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