mudd1973
starting to shine!
new member of Culver City Rock and Mineral Club
Member since May 2003
Posts: 33
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Post by mudd1973 on Sept 18, 2003 16:04:19 GMT -5
Hi Don from Ohio, The picture of your polished obsidian is amazing. Thanks for posting it. I assume you preformed most of the pieces to some degree. How thick are the pieces? I have a huge bag of leftover obsidian that a knapper gave me in exchange for a big block of obsidian. Some of the pieces are very thin and I have been afraid that they will just break up in a rotary tumbler. Also, what finally worked for you to get the final polish so nice? Ellen in Los Angeles
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donwrob
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 509
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Post by donwrob on Sept 18, 2003 18:17:18 GMT -5
Hi Ellen, thanks. They average about 1/4" thick and some a little thicker. If it gets much thinner than that obsidian seems to lose its sheen to translucency if that makes sence? Know what I mean? I really fought that stuff to get a decent shine. 3 weeks+ total in final polish with different polishes. The last run was with tin oxide and seemed to do the best. Also I ran it with a good bit of nylon beads and that may have been a factor too. I'll find out as I continue to experiment with it. I have a big load in the 15 lber rolling tumbler now that is half obsidian and half slag glass. I'd guess they are very close in hardness. Hope this is helpful Ellen, good luck with yours and let us know how it turns out. Talk to you later, Don
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