Post by lizmom on May 20, 2012 13:27:31 GMT -5
I am a wire-wrapper who uses a 3a with shot to harden finished wire pieces.
I bought a second barrel to tumble rough slabs of Ohio flint since I am close to Flint Ridge. I slab rough with a club's saws, but they all make cabs on sanding wheels, so I could get no info about tumbling. The local rock shop owner does not sell ceramic media and does not recommend using a vibratory. I chose a Raytech because of the tight- fitting lid and extra barrel. It seems to work well in turning over the rock.
I did not order any ceramic media -- just plastic pellets. I tumble as follows:
1. 1.5 days in rotary with 60/90. (I like to keep interesting rock shapes to wrap. I don't want them totally rounded.
2. 1.5 days in 120/220 in vibe.
(I'm ordering 500 as an inbetween step here.
3. 1.5 days in 700 in vibe.
4. 1.5 days in Ioiox emery in vibe.
5. 2 days in Raytech polish in vibe.
My flint gets very smooth, but not shiny on the flat-- tremendously shiny at edges. The small stones I had to start have pretty much vanished, so by step 5, it's primarily slabs and plastic pellets.
I feel that step 1 is correct because I get the stones shaped the way I want. I'm in the dark on later steps. I think I need ceramic, but how much.
Does obsidian need separate media from that used pn agate/jasper. I know obsidian needs 2/3 media. how much should be plastic for cushioning vs ceramic for polishing.
is there a place on tbis board that discusses and evaluates different grits.
Any suggestions on future grit purchases. (I have a lortone kit and a raytech kit.)
When processing agate/jasper, what pct should be ceramiic?
I plan to do obsidian with 1/4 rock, 1 lb small ceramin, 1 lb large ceramin, 1/4 plastic.
I bought a second barrel to tumble rough slabs of Ohio flint since I am close to Flint Ridge. I slab rough with a club's saws, but they all make cabs on sanding wheels, so I could get no info about tumbling. The local rock shop owner does not sell ceramic media and does not recommend using a vibratory. I chose a Raytech because of the tight- fitting lid and extra barrel. It seems to work well in turning over the rock.
I did not order any ceramic media -- just plastic pellets. I tumble as follows:
1. 1.5 days in rotary with 60/90. (I like to keep interesting rock shapes to wrap. I don't want them totally rounded.
2. 1.5 days in 120/220 in vibe.
(I'm ordering 500 as an inbetween step here.
3. 1.5 days in 700 in vibe.
4. 1.5 days in Ioiox emery in vibe.
5. 2 days in Raytech polish in vibe.
My flint gets very smooth, but not shiny on the flat-- tremendously shiny at edges. The small stones I had to start have pretty much vanished, so by step 5, it's primarily slabs and plastic pellets.
I feel that step 1 is correct because I get the stones shaped the way I want. I'm in the dark on later steps. I think I need ceramic, but how much.
Does obsidian need separate media from that used pn agate/jasper. I know obsidian needs 2/3 media. how much should be plastic for cushioning vs ceramic for polishing.
is there a place on tbis board that discusses and evaluates different grits.
Any suggestions on future grit purchases. (I have a lortone kit and a raytech kit.)
When processing agate/jasper, what pct should be ceramiic?
I plan to do obsidian with 1/4 rock, 1 lb small ceramin, 1 lb large ceramin, 1/4 plastic.