pamiam
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2023
Posts: 22
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Post by pamiam on Jan 10, 2023 23:40:04 GMT -5
Hi, everyone! New to the group and new to the Thumler UV-10.
I am in the middle of my first batch with this tumbler. According to the recommendations of the wholesaler I had purchased the vibe tumbler from, I have done a med grit 220 and finishing the fine grit today, following up with a pre-polish of A/O #1500 and a final polish of tin oxide.
When ordering the tumbler and starter kit, I also purchased a separate bowl for the polish stage. I had a Lot-O-tumbler many years ago and had a separate barrel and knew to do this.
My question is this: do I do the pre-polish and polish in the same bowl? Or do I do all stages except for the final polish in the one bowl and use the 2nd bowl strictly for the final polish?
I ask because it seems that the #1500 A/O is often used as the final polish, not the pre-polish so am leaning towards both the A/O and the T/O in the same bowl.
Thanks in advance!
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jimmie
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2021
Posts: 233
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Post by jimmie on Jan 11, 2023 6:13:30 GMT -5
I know people won’t agree with this, but I use one barrel for everything. I’ve never had a problem with scratches or anything. I remove the barrel and give it a good rinse with the hose. Not sure where any old grit could be hiding after a good rinsing. I’m not to concerned about cleaning after final polish, before going back into a 120/220 stage. I use mine a lot for larger rocks, just had to replace the barrel.
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Post by susand24224 on Jan 14, 2023 16:36:55 GMT -5
You are correct that the 1500 can be used as a polish but it might take a bit longer than a more refined AO. Also, the instructions make no sense to me since I have found a pre-polish totally unnecessary when processing Mohs 7 rocks but use a 1000 grit SC for softer ones (in a rotary). Bottom line, I guess, is that when your 1500 breaks down, which it should, you are really doing the same thing twice only once with a more expensive polish. I haven't seen a difference between cerium oxide, tin oxide, and refined AO in my tumbles. By "refined" I am referring to some of the more expensive AO polishes, such as OMG and Rapid Polish. The less refined ones work as well for me, but take much longer, presumably due to their breaking down.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Jan 15, 2023 12:34:46 GMT -5
I always use my polish barrel(s) for only polish and final burnish. You can do it all in the same barrel, but I don't want to risk it.
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Post by vegasjames on Jan 18, 2023 16:32:07 GMT -5
Welcome from Southern Nevada.
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