thomtap
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 237
|
Post by thomtap on Jan 8, 2009 14:44:18 GMT -5
I posted this idea on another part of the forum, but didn't get much response. I haven't tried it yet, but it seems like a good idea. Here it is:
1. Coat the inside of a vibrating tumbler bowl with diamond mixed in epoxy.
or... 2. use a diamond lap for the bottom of the bowl.
Would this work faster than grit on the rough grind stage? Would water even be needed? You could use this method without any other grit... couldn't you?
Any ideas, or has anyone tried this yet?
Thom Tapp
|
|
Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
|
Post by Saskrock on Jan 9, 2009 9:54:30 GMT -5
Just guessing but wouldn't it grind kind of slow then? I'm thinking the only time you would get any cutting acton would be when it hit the side or bottom. The usual way they get cutting the whole time, bottom, sides, each other. Maybe the diamond not breaking down nearly as fast as SiC would compensate though?
Probably only one way to say for sure.
|
|
drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
|
Post by drjo on Jan 9, 2009 10:17:41 GMT -5
No, it wouldn't work since it would be hit and miss. Even using a carrier to move the stones around, the shape of the stone dictate at what angle their going to move around the tub (not a problen in a rotary) and an oval rock may never hit between the middle and the end of the stone, whereas encompassing the stone with grit and movement will hit all areas.
Now using diamond with a carrier in a vibratory or rotary tumbler will give you fast cutting without wear to the grit but at a very high start-up cost.
Keep thinking tho.
Dr Joe
|
|
1rockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 286
|
Post by 1rockhound on Jan 9, 2009 11:55:20 GMT -5
If you are tumbling any type of rock with silica you will want to use water since silicosis is not worth one less day of tumbling a batch.
|
|
drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
|
Post by drjo on Jan 10, 2009 9:18:35 GMT -5
How about 4 days? ;D j/k
|
|