jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Apr 19, 2015 6:40:10 GMT -5
Hope to run granite and labra with thick clay slurry and a heavy dose of 275/325 garnet powder till hopefully a polish state. Garnet powder is dirt cheap, so why not triple the dose since the clay slurry will easily distribute it.
Granite and labra had been run with SiC 220 and clay slurry till SIC 220 was well broken down.
Experience with garnet abrasive has been great, approaching a polish on the hardest of agates. The longer it rolls, the better the polish.
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Post by snowmom on Apr 20, 2015 5:55:26 GMT -5
watching
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Apr 20, 2015 6:20:19 GMT -5
The felspar and the mica is an issue snowmom. Finishing granite on a wheel is one thing, tumbling it is yet another. Tumbling is fond of attacking the soft spots and digging them out, the nature of the beast. Lacking in confidence on the granite. Only the quartz rich may end up with a good finish. Some is more of a quartzite, it should do fine. Hard to beat good ole agate for tumbling.
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Post by snowmom on Apr 20, 2015 6:30:22 GMT -5
I agree, I have been learning a lot about undercutting using local stuff I collect here. Not a lot of agate in this area. (but I know folks here who have plenty! ) the learning curve is steep, posts here and the input from so many rth members has helped so much. still watching and taking notes!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Apr 20, 2015 7:15:22 GMT -5
I agree, I have been learning a lot about undercutting using local stuff I collect here. Not a lot of agate in this area. (but I know folks here who have plenty! ) the learning curve is steep, posts here and the input from so many rth members has helped so much. still watching and taking notes! Stones with a mix of minerals w/varying hardnesses will always be a challenge. Hard to beat homogenous.
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Post by captbob on Apr 20, 2015 9:16:08 GMT -5
Tumbling is fond of attacking the soft spots and digging them out, the nature of the beast. That reminds me, how did you do with your Dallasite, ever finish a batch? I finished a load of it which came out pretty good, and have a second barrel in the end stages. Gotta make time to take pictures someday.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Apr 20, 2015 9:28:50 GMT -5
Tumbling is fond of attacking the soft spots and digging them out, the nature of the beast. That reminds me, how did you do with your Dallasite, ever finish a batch? I finished a load of it which came out pretty good, and have a second barrel in the end stages. Gotta make time to take pictures someday. Matte finish only captbob. Too soft for my vibe, maybe the rotary will get er done. Beautiful stone.
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Post by captbob on Apr 20, 2015 10:07:16 GMT -5
Matt finish? Really? I got a nice shine on them. Can see individual tree leaves in the reflections when outside in the sun. They're not a good mirror like obsidian due to all the colors and pattern, but they be shiny! Just brought it up because the Dallasite does have soft spots which can wear out. I started with two 15 pound barrels (maybe 25ish pounds of rocks) and ended culling down to probably half that. Took 4½ months for the first batch, and the second barrel got messed up when I tried to finish them in the new UV-10 Put them back in the rotary to fix 'em. Had to go all the way back to 220. grrrrrrr Got that vibe while I was sick and just didn't have the patience to deal with learning something new. It can sit out there and gather dust until I have the time to properly kick the tires and see what that baby can do.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Apr 20, 2015 14:14:45 GMT -5
Well done captbob. Looks like I will do the polish in the rotary. Congrats on the vibe. I don't think it will be a hassle. yes, it does have soft spots and they did not want to polish. But you succeeded on the dallasite and that is an accomplishment.
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