Post by irene on Sept 6, 2010 16:15:21 GMT -5
Hi, everyone!
First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for the warm welcome, this is a very friendly forum! ;D
Here is my first post, in case you want to know a little about me:
forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=introductions&action=display&thread=39947
As I explain there, I have a Lortone 33B that I have never before used for tumbling stones (but for other crafty purposes), and would like to give it a go.
The first thing I need help with is getting the abrasives. I don't know of anywhere that they are sold here in Madrid, so I'm planning on ordering them over the internet. I need a seller that will ship to Europe, and I have found this one:
cgi.ebay.com/Jades-Grit-Pack-Polishing-Stones-Rock-Tumbler-/150478612994?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2309396a02
What do you think? Is it a good idea? How about the price? I have absolutely no idea!
I have seen the polish included is Aluminium, not Cerium, which seems to be most popular. Is this OK?
If not, any tips as to where I should buy?
Second thing:
I have a collection of beach stones that I'd love to polish. I collected them before I knew that I could alter their shape with my tumbler, so I collected only the ones that were already round and smooth, and the right size.
However, I have tried scrathing them with a knife (I read about it on other threads), and most of them get scrtached.
So, my second question is: can I still tumble them?
Maybe if I skip the first grit altogether? O go straight to the pre-polish?
I don't need any alteration in size, as many of the stones are already quite tiny, since I plan to use them in my jewellery.
What do you think I should do.
I can´t take pictures now, as it's nighttime, but I can do it tomorrow if you'd like to see them. They are similar to these:
www.flickr.com/photos/travholt/4898787016/
Nothing special, just normal pebbles with nice shapes and colors
My third question is about drilling holes:
I have been searching the forum, but haven't found anything on this topic, but I have read elsewhere you have to use a diamond tip drill, and submerge the stone in water to drill holes.
How dou you make holes in small pebbles (like 1cm in diameter)? I can't think of how to hold something so smoll still and under water!
If I want to drill holes into my pebbles, is it better to do so before, or after tumbling them?
Any tips would be greatly appreciated
Thanks so much in advance!
First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for the warm welcome, this is a very friendly forum! ;D
Here is my first post, in case you want to know a little about me:
forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=introductions&action=display&thread=39947
As I explain there, I have a Lortone 33B that I have never before used for tumbling stones (but for other crafty purposes), and would like to give it a go.
The first thing I need help with is getting the abrasives. I don't know of anywhere that they are sold here in Madrid, so I'm planning on ordering them over the internet. I need a seller that will ship to Europe, and I have found this one:
cgi.ebay.com/Jades-Grit-Pack-Polishing-Stones-Rock-Tumbler-/150478612994?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2309396a02
What do you think? Is it a good idea? How about the price? I have absolutely no idea!
I have seen the polish included is Aluminium, not Cerium, which seems to be most popular. Is this OK?
If not, any tips as to where I should buy?
Second thing:
I have a collection of beach stones that I'd love to polish. I collected them before I knew that I could alter their shape with my tumbler, so I collected only the ones that were already round and smooth, and the right size.
However, I have tried scrathing them with a knife (I read about it on other threads), and most of them get scrtached.
So, my second question is: can I still tumble them?
Maybe if I skip the first grit altogether? O go straight to the pre-polish?
I don't need any alteration in size, as many of the stones are already quite tiny, since I plan to use them in my jewellery.
What do you think I should do.
I can´t take pictures now, as it's nighttime, but I can do it tomorrow if you'd like to see them. They are similar to these:
www.flickr.com/photos/travholt/4898787016/
Nothing special, just normal pebbles with nice shapes and colors
My third question is about drilling holes:
I have been searching the forum, but haven't found anything on this topic, but I have read elsewhere you have to use a diamond tip drill, and submerge the stone in water to drill holes.
How dou you make holes in small pebbles (like 1cm in diameter)? I can't think of how to hold something so smoll still and under water!
If I want to drill holes into my pebbles, is it better to do so before, or after tumbling them?
Any tips would be greatly appreciated
Thanks so much in advance!