wednesday
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2021
Posts: 6
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Post by wednesday on Jul 26, 2021 15:34:10 GMT -5
Earlier this year, I came into possession of a Nat Geo hobby tumbler my dad had lying around and I've been playing around with it. While I've gotten hooked on tumbling as a hobby, the results I'm getting are pretty disappointing: dull, matte-finish rocks that never polish up even a little bit.
I've been doing one kind of rock at a time and spending 3-4 weeks on the initial grit stage, and being careful not to cross-contaminate the grit, BUT I've only ever used the Nat Geo grit that comes with the tumbler when you buy it (I ordered refills when the little sample packets were used up). Based on what I'm reading here, it sounds like I need to get completely different grit, especially the polish, and possibly add some plastic pellets as filler.
Does that sound reasonable to you experts? I did read the long thread that specifically talked about Nat Geo tumblers, but it seems most people had experience with the pro tumbler so I'm wondering if the little hobby version is capable of the kind of results I want. I wouldn't be opposed to buying a nicer one if needed, but it's always a bonus if I can work with what I already have.
Thanks in advance!
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Jul 26, 2021 15:43:34 GMT -5
Check with Tony (Catmandewe) he might have something that would fit you to a (T) !
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Post by oregon on Jul 26, 2021 16:08:33 GMT -5
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hypodactylus
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 432
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Post by hypodactylus on Jul 26, 2021 16:14:56 GMT -5
I am sure Michigan Rocks mentions this in the video that was just posted, but the stage 4 grit that comes with the National Geographic tumblers is not a true polish; it is a pre-polish(around 1000 grit).
You will likely get better results if you use a real polish that is around 4000 grit or higher in stage 4; instead of the stuff in the stage 4 Nat Geo packet.
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wednesday
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2021
Posts: 6
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Post by wednesday on Jul 26, 2021 16:40:02 GMT -5
That's what I've been seeing too, it would definitely explain why my finished products have been so dismal.
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Post by perkins17 on Jul 26, 2021 17:04:31 GMT -5
wednesday, I have heard the national geographic grit isn't that good. I believe it is because the final step is silicon carbide rather than aluminum oxide or cerium oxide. A lot of people on here recommend the rockshed's grit and polish. That should last you a while and produce better results. I hope that helps!
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wednesday
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2021
Posts: 6
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Post by wednesday on Jul 27, 2021 22:04:31 GMT -5
perkins17 that does seem to be the case, doesn't it? I've ordered from The Rock Shed before, so I'll definitely look at their grit and see about getting something better to work with. Thanks for the advice!
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Post by perkins17 on Jul 27, 2021 22:07:30 GMT -5
wednesday I hope your results are better. I used the grit that came with my tumbler for like a year before realizing that the grit was the problem, not my tumbling methods.
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wednesday
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2021
Posts: 6
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Post by wednesday on Jul 27, 2021 22:13:17 GMT -5
perkins17 it's reassuring in a way, I was feeling like I must be doing something wrong and getting frustrated, so it's a bit of a relief to find I'm just using the wrong materials because I didn't know any better
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danielsan52
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2021
Posts: 22
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Post by danielsan52 on Jul 29, 2021 14:20:38 GMT -5
I run y coarse and sometimes medium stages in a nat geo then move to Lortone for final stages. I find that two weeks in cerium follows by two weeks in tin oxide produce a great polish.
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