dankore
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rocks, Rock
Member since March 2006
Posts: 120
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Post by dankore on Apr 9, 2006 9:49:11 GMT -5
Hi All, I have been using Vibrating Laps for 10 years now. I have never seen a set of instructions that cover the subject very well. So I came up with my own instructions. A lot of people will get Vibe Laps, then give up on them, because they are too messy, they don't work, etc. Well, I have found a way to help with the mess, and get a perfect polish too, I mean perfect. These instructions worked for me, but not telling anyone else what to do, just showing what worked for me. There are a few other tips on the page also. It is under construction, so if you have any tips to pass along, I will put them up, and give you, or whomever, credit. I am requesting help from the board, on getting Lapidary tips to share. Thanks Everyone Tips are on the bottom of this page; dbrockwerks.com/page5.htmlEmail:info@dbrockwerks.com Take Care, Dan www.dbrockwerks.com
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Apr 12, 2006 16:24:44 GMT -5
Hi Dan, Thanks for the details (but no pictures or diagrammes) I havent got a vibe yet , Been thinking about getting one .
Had a tremendus help from conrock (Tom) who is a expert on Vibes who has shown me the way to go , He say the same about lack of instructions.
Thanks ,I hope others are helped with your post as well , I have heard of many people with problems and even some giving up on vibes !!
Jack Yorkshire UK
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Post by earthdog on Apr 12, 2006 22:58:19 GMT -5
Thanks Dan. I did the pencile test on my slabs today, still need a bit longer in 220.
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Post by sandsman1 on Apr 14, 2006 1:44:12 GMT -5
yea i have checked them out and im ready to give my covington 15 another try hahaha i just gotta find a place to bolt it down but thanks for the instructions i got a one sheet deal with the vibe and its pretty much useless hahaha i followed it and didnt have any luck so im gonna try yours this time
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dankore
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rocks, Rock
Member since March 2006
Posts: 120
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Post by dankore on Apr 14, 2006 9:20:09 GMT -5
Hi All, I hope the vibe works for you this time. Please feel free to contact me if you should have any problems. It took me many, many tries until I finally arrived at consistant results, but I am very happy with polish and shine, (and I am picky about my polish ;-)) that I now get. I wish you luck, and don't give up until you contact me. TTYS, Dan www.dbrockwerks.com
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turnedstone
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 766
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Post by turnedstone on Apr 14, 2006 10:32:36 GMT -5
Thanks Dan just bought a 20 inch vibe. lap so the info will be used as soon as i get set up. Will be asking for more info. I'm sure as i have no instructions with mine. Waiting on a rug from home depot for the pad in the bottom of each pan what do you use. I got some tight weave outdoor carpet.Thanks again George
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Old Hickory
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2006
Posts: 67
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Post by Old Hickory on Apr 14, 2006 17:00:30 GMT -5
Dan, Very informative instructions, a question or two about them. 1. What thickness of Plexi-glass are you using? 2. On your polishing cycle, what are you using for polish - CO, AO, etc? 3. After your polishing cycle, do you clean out the pan & pad and recharge for the next batch or can you just protect polishing pan & pad from contamination, let it dry and just add water for the next batch?
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dankore
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rocks, Rock
Member since March 2006
Posts: 120
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Post by dankore on Apr 14, 2006 18:18:59 GMT -5
Hi Old Hickory, I use 1/4" or 3/8", I think having them a bit thicker would give them more durability. You don't want the plexiglass to be too bendable, it leads to epoxy failure down the road. My polishing cycle I use mainly Cerium Oxide, but will add a bit of Linde A or Tin, but 97% Cerium. If you have a separate pan, you can put it away, in a garbage sack, or something that will not let it get contaminated. That's the key, 0% contamination. Polish will last a long time, it does not break down like grit, so yes, you can just add water if it dries out, as long as (again) it's not contaminated. If you save the pan and pad that way, you will need to add very little polish the next time you use it. Hope that helped. I can't wait to see your results. Hi TurnedStone, That is what I use is a thick weave outdoor carpet, like you might find on a boat. Marine supply should have some. We have a fabric supply house here that we get it from by the yard. (Econosales) You should not need carpet for anything but the polish stage, do your pans have grooves in them? If one does and the other doesn't, then the grooved one is the grit pan, the smooth one is polish. What brand do you have? As above the key is to clean, clean, CLEAN between each grit, that includes rocks, weights, pan, etc, etc. I have one pan that I use for the 3 grit stages, and another for the final polish stage. Once you get the hang of them, they are a great tool. Please let me know if you have more questions. Take Care, Happy Lapping Dan www.dbrockwerks.com
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Old Hickory
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2006
Posts: 67
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Post by Old Hickory on Apr 15, 2006 13:29:04 GMT -5
Hi Dan. I was thinking about the weights you were using and just remembered that I had a small Lyman ingot mold. The ingots are about 2 ½” long X 1” wide and can be poured any thickness up to 1” thick. My question to you is as long as a weight is placed in the center of the plexi-glass bumper will a rectangular shape VS a round shape make any difference? This mold as you can see has tapered sides and is made of cast. The ingots just pop out - saves cutting tin cans.
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dankore
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rocks, Rock
Member since March 2006
Posts: 120
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Post by dankore on Apr 15, 2006 17:06:35 GMT -5
Hi Old Hickory, I would think those weights would be fine as long as the, center of gravity of the weight and plexiglass, matches the center of gravity of the slab. When the CG's are off, that's when you start grinding lopsided slabs, the weight pushes down on one side of the slab more than the other. I have used fishing weights, thunder egg halves and even pipe fittings. Just match the two CG.s together when you attatch the slab and plexi-weight. The CG is the point at which the object is balance. when it balances on your finger, your finger is at the CG. It does seem as though it would save time using the mold. I would like to find a round flat large fishing weight mold, that seems as though it would be the ticket. Let me know how it works out. Looks like a good idea. TTYS, Dan www.dbrockwerks.com
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Old Hickory
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2006
Posts: 67
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Post by Old Hickory on Apr 15, 2006 21:06:33 GMT -5
Hay Dan,
I just found a neat weight mold. Keep your eyes open at garage & yard sales for a cast iron cupcake pan. The cupcakes are about 2 1/2" - 2 3/4" in dia at the top and they are about 2" deep. The pans have 10 or 12 cupcakes holes each and are tapered so they should pop out easy. Also you can pour them any thickness you want for different weights.
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dankore
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rocks, Rock
Member since March 2006
Posts: 120
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Post by dankore on Apr 16, 2006 9:53:42 GMT -5
Hi Old Hickory, Those are great ideas. I think the cupcake pan idea is great. My wife is a junk store addict, so I will send her on a mission ;-) When I first started using weights, I was using the lead pencil weight coils. Not sure what they are called. The lead comes in about 5 foot lengths, and is the diameter of a pencil. I would wrap a length of lead around the rim of the slab, but that is way too time consuming. You will have to post pictures of your finished project. Thanks for the great ideas, keep them coming. TTYS, Dan www.dbrockwerks.com
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Post by ladyt on Jun 6, 2006 18:11:24 GMT -5
Hello Please help. My husband went to Harbor freight and purchased a Chicago Vibratory Tumbler System for me. It has a round hard plastic bowl with a lid. It says not to use water. Can I use this to polish and smooth preformed rocks? Preformed on workforce saw. Please let me know before I try it and can not take it back. Thanks
Tonja
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madgg
starting to shine!
Member since February 2005
Posts: 39
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Post by madgg on Jun 10, 2006 8:06:33 GMT -5
Tonja- I have never used a Chicago vibe, but have several Raytech vibes. IF the interior of the bowl is sealed, so that no liquid can leak down onto the motor assembly, you should be fine. Vibes only use 2 to 4 tablespoons of water. Good Luck.
Colleen
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