rookstorm
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2021
Posts: 6
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Post by rookstorm on Apr 12, 2021 5:43:06 GMT -5
Hi all, this is my 1st post so hello to everyone, I'm based in the UK, please don't hold that against me :-) As to my question, I have a National Geographic hobby tumbler and in having difficulty getting a shine after final polish. The tumbler does seem to spin rather fast, would that affect the final outcome or do I need to look elsewhere,. Thank you in advance. Rook.
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rocket
spending too much on rocks
Quality slabs for quality cabs in 2022
Member since September 2020
Posts: 292
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Post by rocket on Apr 12, 2021 6:34:42 GMT -5
Hi from Maryland...I had the same problem when I started tumbling last year...first thing I did was to add a burnish phase with borax after the polish. That helped, but now I have added added another polish phase with a much finer grit (3000-5000) which I run for two weeks...that has really made the shine happen...good luck...let us know what works for you...Rocket
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irlcjrohr
starting to spend too much on rocks
If it does not melt, polish it.
Member since April 2020
Posts: 123
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Post by irlcjrohr on Apr 12, 2021 6:45:20 GMT -5
rookstorm, Welcome from Wisconsin. I started out with the National Geographic tumbler. Also had the same results until I when to Aluminum oxide polish (14,000 grit) for my final stage. There is a user on the forum who is doing a detailed review of the tumbler. He will be putting out a new video on the subject with improvements in the method and instructions. The forum link for the discussion. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/94331/help-nat-tumbler-video-first
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 12, 2021 6:48:01 GMT -5
Funny you should ask. One of our members just did a review video of that tumbler. Rob Jugglerguy aka Michigan Rocks on YT is doing 2 videos- the first one shows WHY you didn't get a polish and the second one will show how you should be able to get a polish.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 12, 2021 6:48:35 GMT -5
rookstorm , Welcome from Wisconsin. I started out with the National Geographic tumbler. Also had the same results until I when to Aluminum oxide polish (14,000 grit) for my final stage. There is a user on the forum who is doing a detailed review of the tumbler. He will be putting out a new video on the subject with improvements in the method and instructions. The forum link for the discussion. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/94331/help-nat-tumbler-video-first Oooops! Posted at the same time.
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rookstorm
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2021
Posts: 6
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Post by rookstorm on Apr 12, 2021 7:12:41 GMT -5
Thank you for the suggestions, I think I'm using aluminium oxide polish but not sure on the grit rating, how can I tell if its fine enough? Rook
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,592
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Post by Tommy on Apr 12, 2021 8:16:29 GMT -5
Thank you for the suggestions, I think I'm using aluminium oxide polish but not sure on the grit rating, how can I tell if its fine enough? Rook Good morning, as Rob revealed in his video posted above, if you're using the pre-packaged packs from Nat Geo you probably aren't using AO. Maybe start by going through your steps - what have you done and for how long in your attempt to get a nice polish. Are you using a cushioning media or again are you following the grit steps that came with the tumbler?
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,592
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Post by Tommy on Apr 12, 2021 8:18:46 GMT -5
and welcome to the forum BTW We have several members from the UK and we definitely do not hold it against them. The only thing it does is make it harder to ship rocks to them
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 12, 2021 8:58:49 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona!
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Post by opalpyrexia on Apr 12, 2021 9:15:51 GMT -5
Welcome from Washington State.
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rookstorm
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2021
Posts: 6
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Post by rookstorm on Apr 13, 2021 4:17:31 GMT -5
Hi Tommy, 1st time I used polish that came with machine and was disappointed, I have since bought new grit I all 4 grades, and new polish is a fine white powder I assume that's aluminium oxide, it also came with little white plastic beads, do you recommend I use them too?
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Post by TheRock on Apr 25, 2021 17:02:22 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH Forum from S/W Michigan! ~Duke
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