Prov
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2020
Posts: 116
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Post by Prov on Nov 28, 2020 13:08:49 GMT -5
Currently working some yellow aventurine in the vibe, just finished 2 days of 220 SiC this morning. Washing my rocks and seeing some stuff I'm a bit concerned about moving on, but was wondering if I could get the experts input. It looks like the grit has penetrated into the rock via cracks or very tiny pits. The second one feels quite smooth where the pitting appears to be. I've tried taking a toothbrush and soap to those areas to see if I could make any changes, and it appears to be under the surface. Would you move these rocks on? Would you send them back a stage? I'm usually not a perfectionist about rocks, but I do have concerns that they may release 220 in my 500 AlO stage. Edit: Should add - I'm in a bit of hurry to finish these rocks. I've got in laws in town leaving on Tuesday, so I'm trying to get them polished before they leave, that way I can give them some and save myself shipping.
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reeniebeany
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rotary Only
Member since January 2020
Posts: 125
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Post by reeniebeany on Nov 28, 2020 20:08:08 GMT -5
I am emphatically NOT an expert and I see that stuff on my rocks too. A Harbor Freight Ultrasonic cleaner with a drop of Free and Clear laundry detergent and it usually gets that grit out. Likewise, I am not terribly picky, sometimes the cracks and irregularities are interesting.
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lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 865
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Post by lordsorril on Nov 28, 2020 20:25:07 GMT -5
Would you move these rocks on? Would you send them back a stage? I'm usually not a perfectionist about rocks, but I do have concerns that they may release 220 in my 500 AlO stage. IMO: The first photo looks like an imperfection in the rock--additional shaping in a vibe with AlO may smooth the edges and make it less noticeable (might take a while though). The second photo the rock has pits, but, you are working with yellow aventurine--some aventurine has pits through and through-if all your pieces have pits I would send it to the next stage. If this piece is an exception compared to the others then I would grind it some more. Since you rinsed and scrubbed the pieces with a toothbrush: The grit carry over should be minimal and not a concern at this point in the process.
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Prov
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2020
Posts: 116
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Post by Prov on Nov 28, 2020 22:13:31 GMT -5
Appreciated fellas. I had a few pieces that were pitted, so I decided to move em on, and take the risk. Gotta get these into polish before Tuesday. That way I can send some of these off with the folks.
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kyoti
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2020
Posts: 542
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Post by kyoti on Nov 29, 2020 11:50:13 GMT -5
This is common when I tumble my local sugar agates/quartz. One thing that people mentioned worked pretty well for me. I put them in my rotary with water and ivory soap shavings then run them an hour or so. Seems to rinse out the pits and cracks pretty well. Warm water works best. In the vibe you can add a bit of water and soap to the bowl at the end of the cycle and let them swish around for a bit. Usually the grit will rinse right when you clean the rocks and bowl afterwards.
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Post by Bob on Dec 1, 2020 12:09:33 GMT -5
Happens to me too so I throw away or keep grinding in coarse until the problem are is gone.
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