slabcabber
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 590
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Post by slabcabber on Dec 15, 2010 19:07:57 GMT -5
Hello everyone, I have just acquired some slag glass and need some instructions on how to polish it in my rotary tumbler. I want to make sea-glass out of some of it and polish some as well. thank you all very much.
Mark
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Post by gr on Dec 15, 2010 19:22:21 GMT -5
Mark, you put the lime in de coconut and you shake it all about. Sorry, just trying to be funny! There are some on here who do, or have done that. I personally haven't ( yet ). But I would think the normal process would be in order but with some heavy cushioning, especially in the later stages.
Gary
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Dec 15, 2010 19:22:50 GMT -5
Mark, tumble it just as you would obsidian. The only thing you need to watch is gas build up,maybe burp them as you go along. When the volume goes down, I always added glass I had previously polished to bring it back up. I guess you need to add pellets or something then.
snuffy
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slabcabber
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 590
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Post by slabcabber on Dec 15, 2010 19:31:44 GMT -5
Good one Gary.. LOL
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slabcabber
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 590
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Post by slabcabber on Dec 15, 2010 19:33:59 GMT -5
Thank you Snuffy ... only one problem there ... I do not know how to tumble Obsidian either .....
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Post by johnjsgems on Dec 15, 2010 19:53:04 GMT -5
Tumble like any rock. For sea glass check every day or two in 60/90. Maybe 120/220 depending on what you want it to look like. To go on to polish proceed to 500F or 600. Follow that with polish. I just heard cerium oxide went up 700% so I would try sub micron aluminum oxide. I would use maybe 1/4 small ceramic media throughout. Keep the drum 3/4 full.Glass (and obsidian which is volcanic glass) is soft so check ever day or two through all steps.
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Post by gr on Dec 15, 2010 20:19:30 GMT -5
Mark, can't do much better than the advice John gave. And this is in reference to what Snuffy said. go to: RTh home pg and select totally rock tumbling, go to pg 2 and open " Apache Tears" Hope this helps. Tried to copy and paste but couldn't.
Gary
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Post by cpdad on Dec 15, 2010 20:29:32 GMT -5
with most glass the gas build up can be a major concern with blown lids and junk....the bottom of the barrel can swell and lock up your tumbler also...the lid may pop off and cause a mess from gas also...just stuff like that ;D.
just watch the bottom of you're barrel....if it starts protruding outward...stop the tumble and burp the barrel...restart...if it remains flat or slightly sucks inward...you are on your way ;D.
with most glass...its a major bitch to get right....kev.
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bouldergal
freely admits to licking rocks
Glacier Meadow
Member since July 2007
Posts: 783
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Post by bouldergal on Dec 18, 2010 16:36:11 GMT -5
Several of us bought and tumbled glass as Christmas gifts several years ago. Let me go back and see if I can find any more info. As I remember, some tumbled well and other colors either cracked or never took a polish. If I can find the link, I'll post it for you. Susan
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bouldergal
freely admits to licking rocks
Glacier Meadow
Member since July 2007
Posts: 783
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Post by bouldergal on Dec 18, 2010 16:42:58 GMT -5
Steve (horsinaround) is the one who was selling glass and giving advice on tumbling. Try going through his posts. Susan
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