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Post by Toad on Nov 11, 2006 14:28:02 GMT -5
Here is my plan for finishing rocks once I get my vibe: - 60/90 in the rotary - 220 in the vibe - 600 in the vibe - 1000 in the vibe - Polish in the vibe
Now I know not all of you use this many steps - but let's forget about how unnecessary it might be and just assume its the right way to do it.
1000 grit silicon carbide is very expensive - about $10.50 a pound. I've heard that many people here like tripoli. Can I exchange one for the other? Tripoli is only $1.60 per pound.
That was question 1. My next question is what is the best general polish. One that works reasonably well on any stone?
Thanks.
Toad
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Nov 11, 2006 15:36:53 GMT -5
Toad, After 600 grit we use Micron alumna pre polish for 1 day then 1 day with TXP polish. Don't have a clue what either of these critters are made up of, but our agate leaves the polish cycle looking like wet glass. We buy all our supplies from :
Minnesota Lapidary Supply . com Owner : Val Carver Store Mgr. : Dee Phone # 763-631-0405
Mr. Carver knows vibes inside and out.
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Post by deb193 on Nov 11, 2006 15:55:45 GMT -5
I like the RockSHed AO polish. They also have a 1000g AO, that is like the Tripoly. YOu could get both polishes, some ceramic pellets, and maybe even some rough all in a flat rate box. What a deal.
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Post by Toad on Nov 11, 2006 17:45:46 GMT -5
What's TXP?
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 11, 2006 19:55:58 GMT -5
I have had real good luck with tripoli as my prepolish as long as I don't add to much to the barrel as this can bog down your load pretty easily....mel
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Post by Bikerrandy on Nov 11, 2006 21:09:07 GMT -5
I never use any pre-polish, I go from 500 grit straight to the polish. Hmmmm, give me a couple minutes and I'll show you how one the thundereggs that you sent me turned out.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Nov 11, 2006 21:33:32 GMT -5
Here ya go, I cut these from a rock that you sent me, 4 day in 120/220, 4 days in 500, and 4 days in AO from the Rockshed. I can't take a pic of the shine worth a damn......
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Post by Toad on Nov 11, 2006 21:39:39 GMT -5
Look nice. Did you have much trouble with undercutting between different areas? Is AO the only polish you use?
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Post by Bikerrandy on Nov 11, 2006 21:51:58 GMT -5
No trouble with undercutting at all, and yes, AO is the only polish that I ever use. It makes all my stuff shine like glass!
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Nov 11, 2006 22:15:31 GMT -5
The TXP is a final polish for hard agate type stone. We use a product called Micron alumina for prepolish. 24 hours in each. Don't have a clue what it is but it shines the livin S__t out of agate.
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donsimpson
starting to spend too much on rocks
Duncan and Mari's Dad
Member since September 2006
Posts: 176
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Post by donsimpson on Nov 11, 2006 23:34:28 GMT -5
Alumina = aluminum oxide. Corundum is the naturally occurring mineral form of aluminum oxide (ruby, sapphire, emery). 9 on Mohs scale.
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lsmike
spending too much on rocks
Maxwell's demon lowers tumbling entropy
Member since January 2007
Posts: 468
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Post by lsmike on Jan 6, 2007 11:22:15 GMT -5
TXP is a propritory polish that is AO based and only MN.Lapidary can sell it.It is economical ;Val says to use one-half teaspoon per 10 lbs. of rock in a vibe !! It works; apparently less is more.
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