rockingray
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2010
Posts: 2
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Post by rockingray on Jul 23, 2010 22:22:43 GMT -5
Greetings all. I am new member from the state of Minnesota. I have been polishing rock for a couple of years now....mostly Lake Superior rocks....pre-polished by years of wave action.
I look forward to learning whatever I can here and sharing what little bits of info I might.
My main task at the moment, however, is to solve a problem. I have taken on the task of polishing a whole bunch of stones for a friend's wedding that will take me a couple months in my vibratory polisher. I am creating a whole lot of "dirty water" that I need to process in a safe, manner. The last thing I want to do is create a hazardous waste site so I will be looking for a suitable method for handling this stuff.
If anyone here can give me directions on where to post this question or read a previous post I would much appreciate it.
Thanks.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 23, 2010 23:03:12 GMT -5
First of all, welcome aboard neighbor. I'm right over the border from you in N.E. South Dakota. My solution for disposing of tumbler mud is gopher holes. Your tumbler mud isn't all that toxic, and can be disposed of in the trash. But if you have the same 2 types of gophers we have a few miles west of you, if you pour it down their holes 2 or 3 times, suddenly your neighbors will have gophers. The little critters hate the stuff. Don
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Post by bobby1 on Jul 23, 2010 23:32:00 GMT -5
I pour all my tumbling waste around my new oak trees. Boy! Are they ever doing well! I have a 40lb and 2 - 10lb tumblers going all the time. Bob
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Post by montanamuskrat on Jul 26, 2010 0:06:14 GMT -5
Welcome to the best rockhound site on the web. Debby & Tom
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Post by Toad on Jul 26, 2010 7:16:55 GMT -5
Welcome.
What are you putting in your tumbler that you think is hazardous? I use borax in mine - which is not environmentally friendly, but am thinking of switching to Dreft which I think is okay just to pour out.
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rockingray
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2010
Posts: 2
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Post by rockingray on Jul 26, 2010 8:44:24 GMT -5
The grit I am using for the first two steps is silicone carbide and the final polish is a product called Rapid Polish from Minnesota Lapidary Supply. I know the waste water contains whatever the grit grinds off the rocks and the grit itself I am adding. I know it is important to handle rock dust carefully when you are cutting stones so as not to breath it in so I want to be careful about where I deposit it. The grit is more of a concern because I don't know the dangers of silicone carbide in the soil or air.
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Post by Toad on Jul 26, 2010 8:45:59 GMT -5
Silicon carbide is inert. I'm not sure what is in your rapid polish though...
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 26, 2010 20:46:36 GMT -5
The main concern with rock dust is silicosis from Quartz dust. Some types of rocks contain trace amounts of arsenic, which is a natural element found in nature. Some also contain asbestos fibers. In the winter, when the gopher holes are covered by ice and snow, I pour the mud in a 5 gallon bucket. The water slowly evaporates and leaves a solid block in the bottom of the bucket. A couple of taps with a hammer, And the block can be poured into a bag for disposal in the trash. Don
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