ckraus
starting to shine!
Member since January 2019
Posts: 49
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Post by ckraus on Feb 1, 2019 19:16:22 GMT -5
I've been going through a ton of info and advice for tumbling and keep seeing the suggestion of adding Ivory soap at various times throughout the tumbling process. Why? What does it do exactly? What is the significance of this particular soap?
I ask for several reasons, including the fact that I don't buy soap.... I have made our soap for the last few years and was wondering if it would be acceptable based on what the soap is being used to do.
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El JeffA
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by El JeffA on Feb 1, 2019 22:27:48 GMT -5
I read those same suggestions when starting out. I even bought a cheese grater and bars of Ivory to shave off and add. It was messy and I did not see any difference in results. I still have those bars of soap...not my favorite for showering. I do however sometimes use a Dial liquid soap in the Lot-O during polish stage and before rinsing. A tiny drop will slow down the action during polish and make rinsing off prepolish stages easier. In my opinion, not necessary.
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hnhstngs
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since September 2018
Posts: 93
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Post by hnhstngs on Feb 2, 2019 6:39:15 GMT -5
The only time I use Ivory soap now is in a final burnishing run after polishing. It's possible that, after polishing, there is a thin film of polish/rock flour that may remain on the rocks after they're dried off. Soap, as you know, is a surfactant and will keep this stuff in suspension while the rocks are being burnished and allows it to be rinsed away at the end of the burnishing run. I also add borax to act as a wetting agent (lets the rocks get "closer" together during the stage for better scrubbing action).
As far as using your own soap, it should be fine. Ivory is often used because it contains little in the way of added oils or perfumes. It's a "purer" product that won't leave its own residue behind on the rocks. As long as your formulation doesn't contain those things it should work just as well.
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Post by HankRocks on Feb 2, 2019 9:19:43 GMT -5
According to what I had read somewhere long ago, Ivory soap is better because it does not have any added chemicals that may over an extended period negatively affect the barrel. Cannot remember where I read it and it may be more "Urban Legend" than actual fact. On the other hand I am going to burnish after polish and do a soap run between any SiC and AlO run so may as well use Ivory. It's almost our exclusive bath soap so we always have it on hand.
Good luck
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ckraus
starting to shine!
Member since January 2019
Posts: 49
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Post by ckraus on Feb 2, 2019 9:53:24 GMT -5
Interesting. I make soap because of allergies so I can probably use trims if I need to. No crud in the soap 😉 Using as a surfactant makes sense. Will have to experiment once it stays warm enough to start up the tumbler. Thanks!
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Feb 5, 2019 8:26:43 GMT -5
Does Dove detergent do the same thing as Ivory soap only from an easier to use bottle?
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hnhstngs
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since September 2018
Posts: 93
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Post by hnhstngs on Feb 5, 2019 10:50:02 GMT -5
(shrug) Don’t know. I use Dawn to clean between tumbling stages and Ivory to burnish. Dove is a synthetic detergent not a true soap. Does that make a difference? No clue. Both Ivory and Dove would act as a surfactant but Dove may also contain stuff that might leave a residue on the stones. Try it and let us know how it works!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,680
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 5, 2019 11:20:06 GMT -5
Does Dove detergent do the same thing as Ivory soap only from an easier to use bottle? Nope - has to be the bar soap.... Shaved... Been using that method for a very long time and use it for my last stage on tumbling, my material comes out gleaming...
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Post by greig on Feb 5, 2019 12:32:52 GMT -5
I have only used Ivory bar soap for burnishing. It is inexpensive and works. I use a small cheesegrader to powder the soap. The dirt from the rocks seems to be captured by the soap and all that is required at the end is a good rinse in warm water. I have changed that up (recently) by also adding some TSP when tumbling silver ore, as it seemed to better help to remove any residual black stain. I am sure your homemade soap would be just fine because it does not contain any perfumes or other additives.
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 356
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Post by mjflinty on Feb 6, 2019 14:11:23 GMT -5
I don't use Ivory soap. I use Borax (found in the laundry isle at most stores). I add a tablespoon to my polish stage and then run a burnish cycle with a tablespoon of it. I use a MT-4 vibe for polish.
Michael
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Feb 6, 2019 14:34:51 GMT -5
Why Borax and not Ivory or use both?
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Feb 11, 2019 20:50:24 GMT -5
I am pretty sure there are folks that will be able to tell us why Borax is better than Ivory soap...and the reverse. I have only used Borax and I get great results. Like most of you, I have experimented when I add Borax, how long it tumbles (or actually, vibes) and do I do Borax alone, with polish, etc. The answer is YES! I have done them all and I have a hard time saying that one produces a better shine than the other. Now I have done the Ivory too, but it did not do it for me. Maybe it was the rock, time, temperature, phase of the moon or....?, but I am sold on BORAX!
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