|
Post by ColtChainmailJewelryDesigns on Aug 4, 2011 3:51:36 GMT -5
sooo, a few months ago I tried to do a obsidian tumble, and it ate my corse grit pretty fast. so i need to get some more, but in the mean time, I have some sand, and was woundering if it would work like grit with my obsidian? its not super fine sand, but i sorted it out to the smaller stuff with a kitchen, wire strainer.
I know sand is an abrasive, but wanted to check in and see what you guys say?
Thanks in advance!
~Colt
|
|
|
Post by Toad on Aug 4, 2011 7:00:34 GMT -5
It won't work the same. It is quartz, so would be slightly harder than obsidian, but it will be smooth and rounded - so no cutting edges. As silicon carbide breaks down new sharp edges are constantly exposed - thus the aggresive tumble action.
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Aug 4, 2011 12:00:40 GMT -5
Sand and gravel does a pretty good job on beach glass. How long does it take? I don't know. You are young enough to try it. I maybe wouldn't be around to see the finished product.
|
|
|
Post by Toad on Aug 4, 2011 13:10:12 GMT -5
LOL John
|
|
|
Post by ColtChainmailJewelryDesigns on Aug 4, 2011 14:10:46 GMT -5
Aright, lol. thanks for the info.
|
|
charles kuchar
spending too much on rocks
getting ready for the second coming
Member since November 2010
Posts: 300
|
Post by charles kuchar on Aug 4, 2011 18:46:34 GMT -5
sand breaks up instead of rounding. that is if you have silica sand. there are receipes that use sand but it takes three times longer than using grit. charlie
|
|
ctit101
starting to shine!
Member since May 2011
Posts: 38
|
Post by ctit101 on Aug 4, 2011 23:58:36 GMT -5
If you look around you can get 80 grit Aluminum Oxide for about 79 cents a pound now, the bottom has fell out on it. Almost as hard as SiC on the moh scale. SiC is running at 1.79 a pound now for 80 grit. I picked up some 80 grit garnet sand for 25 cents a pound. I do have to recharge, but it and some pea gravel are rounding everything we throw in. Does take a bit longer I'm sure than SiC but big bucks cheaper. Our round PVC barrels work everything faster than our Tumbler barrel. Don't really know why. Wife wanted some beach glass to put in her flower pots. Broke up a bunch of bottles put them and some garnet sand in and water, had frosted beach glass in four days. Wife was happy.
|
|
|
Post by ColtChainmailJewelryDesigns on Aug 5, 2011 1:08:06 GMT -5
Ctit101, If you are talking that low prices in 1lb or 5lb bags..... tell me where now! But I'm guessing your talking about 50lb+ bags? I did another thread not to long ago asking about buying grit.
Pretty much about ready to make an order with kingsley north for grit, since they have a pack of 1lb each 80, 220, 500, and 4oz 1000..... for a fair price of $12, and they are great on the shipping! and a few other things they have I want. Is 4oz of polish enough though?
~Colt
|
|
ctit101
starting to shine!
Member since May 2011
Posts: 38
|
Post by ctit101 on Aug 5, 2011 2:38:25 GMT -5
Yep sorry, that's 50 lb amounts.
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Aug 5, 2011 8:06:57 GMT -5
1000 is not polish.
|
|
|
Post by susand24224 on Aug 5, 2011 18:31:12 GMT -5
In addition, you will use four times as much of the coarser grit (in this case 80) as you will of anything else. So, the grit packs are good for a starter kit but don't "run out" at anywhere near the same time.
Susan
|
|
|
Post by ColtChainmailJewelryDesigns on Aug 5, 2011 19:03:07 GMT -5
some people say 2x as much, some say more..... heres my thread about buying grit. =P
~Colt
|
|
|
Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Aug 5, 2011 21:57:32 GMT -5
No sand, just break up some old SC wheels in 2" minus sizes. Machine shops in your area should have old wheel.
|
|
quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
|
Post by quartz on Aug 5, 2011 22:45:34 GMT -5
Think of it in another way; using sand as tumbling grit will likely cost so much more in electricity consumption because of time required, it will negate the savings over buying SiC.
|
|
|
Post by ColtChainmailJewelryDesigns on Aug 5, 2011 22:59:38 GMT -5
|
|
Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
|
Post by Steve on Aug 6, 2011 11:32:14 GMT -5
My experience is that Kingsley North charges actual shipping costs and that their shipping calculator is usually either accurate or a slight over estimate. I can only remember one time when the shipping cost was higher than their shipping calculator and then it was something like 32 cents. When buying small quantities of grit, it is usually best to try and shop local and avoid shipping costs. If you belong to a local rock club (recommended) you can get small quantities of grit and polish from a member (or often the club itself) for small cost or trade. You can almost always find folks willing to split up a bulk purchase.
|
|