Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Banjocreek on Feb 7, 2004 2:46:15 GMT -5
I finally got my first batch polished, and I have been working on it since Christmas. (You know, a mistake here and there. back you up a bit.) I think they look pretty good since it is the stuff they put in the kit; which is "God only knows" what. Is it a matter of running the polish stage longer than 7 days to get a higher gloss, or after 7 days is that about as good as they are going to get? Here they are...
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donwrob
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 509
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Post by donwrob on Feb 7, 2004 8:59:11 GMT -5
Hey Banjo, very nice batch buddy! You did a good job on them, nicely shaped pieces. What kind of polish did you use? If it was alum oxide, that shine is probably maxed out. If you used Cerium or tin oxide, I would run them for another week and see what you get. There may have been some sharp edeges from late breakage or other contamination in there. Sort them and remove any suspect pieces and run for a week in cerium oxide. They should come out with the 'wet' look shine you are looking for. I hope this helps, good luck and great job on the batch! Don
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Post by sandsman1 on Feb 7, 2004 9:13:30 GMT -5
lookin good mike i realy like those red ones with the gold specs too cool great job im still workin on my fist batch some tears dont think they will ever be done hahaha time will tell anyway great job they all look great seeya john
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RiverOtter
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2004
Posts: 339
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Post by RiverOtter on Feb 7, 2004 11:37:55 GMT -5
Nice batch banjo. Did you do any rough shaping before you tumbled or did those nice ovals come from the tumbling process only? oooer.....goldstone...pretty! Otter
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Post by creativeminded on Feb 7, 2004 11:42:55 GMT -5
If the red ones really have gold spots in it that is goldstone. I haven't studied rock, this just comes from what I have seen in the past and remember the names placed with the stone. It also looks like you might have a piece of petrified wood, rose quartz, and tiger eye. If that one that is really dark green has some red in it that is what they call blood stone.
Tami
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Post by rockyraccoon on Feb 7, 2004 13:12:37 GMT -5
nice banjo! i like the goldstone in the center with the stripes in the middle. are you going to try the cerium on them?
kim
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Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Banjocreek on Feb 7, 2004 16:47:49 GMT -5
I ran them in aluminium oxide for a week and was really disenchanted with the look. They were satin at best. Then I used the cerium oxide I ordered from the Rock Shed, and was convinced of the difference between polishes. I didn't do any shaping. And worst of all, I used a 'Science Tech' tumbler with the same barrel all the way through. (shame on me) Since then I picked up a few used tumbles to avoid the transfer of grit possibility. I didn't know if I can leave them in the cerium for longer, or if it breaks down, and longer time would not help. So thanks for the input people, you guys are a big help in trying to get this 'Right'. -Banjo
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Feb 9, 2004 1:09:35 GMT -5
nice job Banjo I guess if there are a few that you aren't satisified with you can always run them back in the final polish for a few more days I don't think that you will be arrested for rock abuse.
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Feb 9, 2004 10:25:07 GMT -5
I like you stones! One things that I've discovered using both Cerium Oxide and Aluminum Oxide, is that you must have that smooth satin finish before either can do there job. I've learned to not rush my fine cycle, and sometimes add a pre-polish if necessary to get that satin finish. All of my rocks pictured at my site were done using Aluminum Oxide polish from "The Rock Shed" and none of them were run through a pre-polish. Remember that not all Aluminum Oxide polish is the same, just as not all Cerium Oxide is the same. It seems to me that Cerium Oxide might be a little faster, probably because Aluminum Oxide has to break down first before it starts to polish (particles break from sharp edged to rounded).
Ron
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Post by Noosh9057 on Feb 11, 2004 19:01:08 GMT -5
Hay this look great.
Good Job
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