fernfossil
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2003
Posts: 1
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Post by fernfossil on Jul 25, 2003 13:49:05 GMT -5
Hi all, I would like to polish some soft concretions that contain fern fossils. They are kinda smooth already and look like an half used oval bar of soap. I don't want them to crack open during polishing. Any suggestions? Thank you
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donwrob
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 509
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Post by donwrob on Jul 25, 2003 14:34:40 GMT -5
Hi fernfossil, that is interesting. I'm fairly new to tumbling, so keep that in mind. It would probably be wise to not put a lot of stock in my answer, k? I just know what I would try if they were mine. No way would I risk putting soft concretions in a barrel tumbler, with any stage grit or polish. They most likely would not survive the brutality of the tumbling. It may be possible to use a vibratory type tumbler though? They are not as agressive as far as shaping goes and may work if the fossil matrix is hard enough to polish. I've seen fossils in really hard rock that polish beautifully, but I've also seen some that you could crumble with your hand. If they were expensive or hard for you to come by, I would just experiment with one that didn't have the best shape or had an ugly fossil on it. Good luck to you, hopefully you will get a better answer from someone with more experience than I have. Keep me posted on how it goes if you try anything. Talk to ya later, Don
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terry
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2008
Posts: 2
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Post by terry on Aug 5, 2003 16:48:41 GMT -5
Ditto to the above... but you might also try a coating with clear fingernail polis versus polishing.... or coat with super glue and start with 600 grit at a slow speeed then polish as this will eliminate the harsh shaping stage.... grab som rock from aroound them and practice to save the fossils
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