tenortim
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2019
Posts: 3
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Post by tenortim on Nov 27, 2019 10:32:11 GMT -5
First let me start by saying I'm an absolute newbie. I've been lurking around the forum for a few months gaining knowledge. I'll be making my first attempt at tumbling some agates this week and wanted some advice about using #80 Garnet grit for the course stage. I have an unlimited supply, so I'd like to make use of it if possible. I know that garnet isn't much harder than agate, so I assume the process will be considerably slower than silicone carbide. Would recharging the barrel every few days help? Any thought or experiences with garnet grit?
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Nov 27, 2019 11:41:02 GMT -5
First let me start by saying I'm an absolute newbie. I've been lurking around the forum for a few months gaining knowledge. I'll be making my first attempt at tumbling some agates this week and wanted some advice about using #80 Garnet grit for the course stage. I have an unlimited supply, so I'd like to make use of it if possible. I know that garnet isn't much harder than agate, so I assume the process will be considerably slower than silicone carbide. Would recharging the barrel every few days help? Any thought or experiences with garnet grit? Welcome to the forum tenortim. I have tried it all. Here is a garnet finish using just nothing other than 80 grit garnet on hard agate after like 3 days in a vibe. It only lays a matte finish down on agates. It is like aluminum oxide . It just rounds off to tiny 80 grit smooth balls. Super tough abrasive, not brittle like silicon carbide that fractures to sharp pieces and cuts fast, but tough like aluminum oxide and softer than AO. It may work on metals or glass or softer materials.
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tenortim
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2019
Posts: 3
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Post by tenortim on Nov 27, 2019 20:25:03 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply. Would recharging every few days over several weeks be more effective? As I said, I have an unlimited supply.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Nov 28, 2019 7:24:28 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply. Would recharging every few days over several weeks be more effective? As I said, I have an unlimited supply. It would take a very long time to 'shape' agates using garnet tenortim. The fastest shape cheapest way to shape silica based rock in a tumbler(i.e. round off edges) is to use silicon carbide. Crushed synthetic diamond would likely do the job faster but the cost for the diamond would be very high.
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tenortim
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2019
Posts: 3
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Post by tenortim on Nov 28, 2019 13:12:43 GMT -5
Ok. Just trying to find a use for this garnet. How would it do as a stage 2 grit, after shaping? Thanks again for the replies.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Nov 28, 2019 21:09:43 GMT -5
Ok. Just trying to find a use for this garnet. How would it do as a stage 2 grit, after shaping? Thanks again for the replies. Possibly, the only way to really know is to use it in the 2nd step and them move on to 500-1000-polish. It may not remove the scratches from SiC 30-46-60 step for the 500 step.
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