sarah
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2005
Posts: 2
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Post by sarah on Sept 26, 2003 7:42:42 GMT -5
While most tumbling sites I have visited recommend adding plastic pellets to the final polish, I have also seen cornmeal recommended. Does anyone have experience with additives other than the plastic pellets?
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Robert
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2003
Posts: 15
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Post by Robert on Sept 26, 2003 17:04:43 GMT -5
Hi Sara I have heard of all kinds of stuff to add to the final tumble stage(polish) sugar, walnut shells, corn meal, corn syrup the list goes on. I have tried sugar I can't say it did any good. I have used a burnish soap, tumbling 4-6 hours after the final polish stage. My advice experiment and have fun. Robert
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mudd1973
starting to shine!
new member of Culver City Rock and Mineral Club
Member since May 2003
Posts: 33
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Post by mudd1973 on Sept 26, 2003 19:23:53 GMT -5
Hi Sarah, There seem to be two reasons to add something like plastic pellets to the final polish stage: to cushion the stones so they don't grind against each other with as much force and to help fill up the barrel since you've lost volume from the first stage. Earlier this year someone said they tried oatmeal and it made a gummy mess. I think cornmeal would also. Plastic pellets can be reused if washed off thoroughly. The reason to add sugar or cornmeal is to thicken the polish & water slurry so that the stones will tumble with less force and more slowly. Apparently, if you had a reostat on your drum, you would slow the speed of the drum for the final polish to lessen the chance of damage. If you don't have plastic pellets, I have heard of cutting up rubber bands into short pieces and using them as cushioning and filler. Happy tumbling, Mudd1973 (AKA Ellen in Los Angeles)
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mudd1973
starting to shine!
new member of Culver City Rock and Mineral Club
Member since May 2003
Posts: 33
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Post by mudd1973 on Sept 26, 2003 19:26:11 GMT -5
Oops. Last post should have read "The reason to add sugar or cornmeal ... " So much for my ability to proofread after a long week at work.
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mudd1973
starting to shine!
new member of Culver City Rock and Mineral Club
Member since May 2003
Posts: 33
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Post by mudd1973 on Sept 26, 2003 19:27:08 GMT -5
Oops again - substitute cornsyrup for cornmeal.
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Post by docone31 on Sept 26, 2003 19:48:27 GMT -5
Do not, Do not, use cornmeal.!!!!! I have done this, and I cannot reccomend it to anyone who is not into a real disaster. My drum expanded to failure, even with checking, and a column of fetid mixture gave my wall a patina of colour, texture, and an odor that is very hard to explain. Organics seem to not be very handy with tumbling. I have heard that the carbon in processed sugar penetrates fissures. Not being heated it remains clear. I have never used sugar, so it is heard, said. I like to use sand as a filler, also sand and borax. It cleans easily, disappears, and reduces impact.
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Post by Noosh9057 on Dec 3, 2003 15:10:45 GMT -5
Well lots of good info. I think I will use the Plastic pelets.
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