| Rock Shop Finishing Equipment Polishers, Laps and Saws |
| SpiritRock Shop |
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Lortone Flat Laps The Lortone FL-15 Vibrating Flat Lap is one of the favorites for rockhounds who are looking to polish their cut specimen faces, polish slabs for display or clock faces. The FL-15 from Lortone is also great for polishing Bookend sets in agate or your other favorite stone. How to use your flat lap There is much discussion about how to polish on these machines, here is what we have learned by trial and error. First, to get quality finishes you must use graded abrasive(100 grit), not graded range (60/90 grit). Second, you must really clean after each grit to prevent contamination of the next step. All it takes is one or two 100 grit grains to ruin a 220 grit finish. This becomes more critical as the grit becomes finer. That is why we prefer the Lortone Flat Laps over the competitors. Lortone provides 2 pans with each unit. One pan for grinding and one for polishing. This reduces the chance of contaminating the polishing stages with the earlier surfacing stages. We recommend complete scrubbing of each specimen after each stage or grit. Okay, now to the grit, What grit you start with basically depends on how accurate the cut is from your saw. If you have a perfect cut the number of stages is reduced. If you see saw marks on your specimen, sit down, this one's going to take a while. Our recommendations are; Smooth cut specimens....start with 220 grit for 8-12hrs, clean, 600 grit for 8-12hrs, clean, 1000 grit for 8-12 hrs, clean, Tin Oxide or Cerium Oxide polish for 8-12 hrs. Saw Marked specimens....These are the toughest...I generally run these through more grit stages to obtain the best finish. Start these with 80 or 100 grit. Lap these until you can mark the surface of the specimen with a pencil and all the pencil marks disappear completely within 5 minutes. Do this for every stage of grit and you will never go wrong. Spending the extra effort in the rough stages will produce better results in the final polish stage. I have one specimen of Brazilian banded Agate that my saw jammed on and gouged the face. It is such a stunning stone that I decided to grind this gouge out rather than re-cut it and lose more material. I put this one in with every batch of 80 grit I do. When the other specimens are done with this stage and the agate is not, I clean it up and put it on the shelf waiting for the next 80 grit stage. Sooner or later it too will be ready to move on. The point here is to not get in a hurry. It took mother nature millions of years to make this specimen, so if it takes you a few days, weeks, months or years to polish it you are still way ahead! Anyway, back to the lapping....after the 80 or 100 grit stage, clean, move to 400 grit for 8-12 hrs, clean, 600 grit for 8-12hrs, clean, 1000 grit for 8-12 hrs, clean, Tin Oxide or Cerium Oxide polish for 8-12 hrs. There are other grit grades that you can try. Don't be afraid to experiment and don't get in a hurry. 1200 grit produces some wonderful looks on some stones and there are a wide variety of polishes to choose from. Some work better on different types of stones, some you will like, some you will throw away, depending upon what you are trying to polish. Each polish has it's special use and it takes a while to learn them all. Tips and Tricks to make your polishing easier We always place a drop or two of Palmolive liquid dish soap in our grit slurry mix. On the FL-15 we use 4-5 Tablespoons of grit mixed with water untill it just starts to splash at the edges by the outer pan ring. Add 1 or 2 drops of the Palmolive allows the grit to better adhere to the surfaces of the rock you are lapping and makes the process work better. We use a plastic spray bottle to add water to our slurry and also have a Lortone overhead drip watering system slowly adding drops of water throughout the lapping process to maintain the consistancy of the slurry. If this is your first time using a lap, be aware that this is not an indoor sport. Great in a garage or basement, but these laps can make a mess of the surrounding area in a hurry if the slurry gets too wet. Since the desired mix is at the very edge of when it slurry starts to splash, it normally splatters out during the process. Protecting your Rocks from Damage Another trick we learned from Wally at the Fallon Rock shop was to cut up old (or new) inner tubes from yard machinery into wide rubber band like strips and place them around your rocks or geodes to protect them. You can even use 2 or more to get the correct thickness of protection you need. The object is to prevent rock to rock contact. Leave the factory outer bumper ring in if you use this method. We have setup bins to store used bands in divided by the grit size to allow reuse without contamination of grit size. Polishing Slabs Polishing slabs is more difficult. Normal slabs are too light to polish well without being weighted. Most recommendations we have received were to use lead weights (which you must make yourself) I ran into an old rockhound who asked, "Why buy lead if you already have rocks" made sense to us so we now polish our slabs using cut face rocks attached to the slab with small multiple pieces of double back tape. If your weight rock is larger in diameter than the slab, protect the weight rock edges. If your weight rock is smaller in diameter than your slab, we like 1/4" plexiglass or acrylic cut larger than the slab, taped to slab, then taped to the weight rock. Remember, the objective here is to evenly distribute the weight over a surface larger than your slab. An off-center weighting will cause a very bad finish. Once again the best way to get into this is just jump in and give it a try. Remember, it's a hobby...a lifestyle...NOT a job. I believe it was Thomas Edison who said something to the effect that he did not fail many times trying to make a light bulb...he just learned many ways NOT to make a light bulb. We hope this helps you in your efforts at polishing rocks using a vibrating flat lap |
| Item # FL-15 Lortone 15" Vibrating Lap $620.00 (Includes Shipping!) Currently OUT OF STOCK |
| Lortone FL-15 Vibrating Flat Lap From the Industry standard Lortone manufacturing we have one brand new in the box FL-15 Lap in stock ready to ship UPS ground in 1 business day. A proven workhorse the FL-15 vibrates at 1600 times per minute giving consistant and excellent abrasion to your specimen. This comes with 2 each 15" pans, one for grinding and one for polishing. Each pan includes a 3/8 OD polyethylene tube bumper ring. These pans are made of aluminum and the polish pan comes with its own polishing pad. Pans are easily removed for changing or cleaning. Shipping info: weight 45lbs, box dimensions 26 x 19 x 15 inches Ships UPS Ground FREE to anywhere in the Continental USA. DOES NOT SHIP OUTSIDE THE CONTINENTAL USA. DO NOT BUY IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE CONTINENTAL USA! |
| Item # UV-10 INDUSTRIAL Used Thumbler 3 Quart Vibratory Tumbler $120.00 |
| Ultra Vibe 10 Industrial Vibratory Tumbler Great For Tumbling Rocks • This is a new heavy duty 1/30hp vibratory tumbler • It runs on 115V, 60Hz • It can tumble 50 average size ladies rings • This can be used with a flow system wet or dry • It is great for rocks and gun casings • The bowl diameter is 10" (254 mm) with a 3 quart capacity • The ball bearing motor operates on 115 volts • This is overload protected and uses 1.12 amps • This is a removable heavy duty polyethylene bowl with lid • It vibrates at 3000 VPM • There is a weight capacity of 10 lbs of material and grit • It comes with instructions • It measures approximately 15" (38cm) All weights and measurements are approximate |
Instructions for the Ultra-Vibe Industrial UV-10
Polishing rocks in the ultra Vibe-10
When selecting rocks to tumble, remember, the finished product is determined by the quality of rocks with
which you start. The rocks you use should be sorted by hardness and roughness. Your rocks may vary in
size to include a few up to 1 1/2" in diameter. Vibratory tumblers are most successful on rocks where the
shape does not have to be changed a great deal or on rock which have been previously sawed or shaped.
Agates and other hard stones should not be tumbled with soft materials such as opal. If you are planning to
tumble beach-worn rocks, don't complicate the process by mixing them with hammer-broken rocks.
The industrial Ultra-Vibe should be placed on a firm, smooth, level surface - preferably on uncarpeted floor
with ample clearance around it. This allows proper air flow to the motor. DO NOT cover unit with anything to
dampen noise as this may block air flow and cause the motor to overheat, or possibly create a fire hazard.
Place your tumbler where it will not be in the way because tumbling takes a number of days of continuous
operation and there is a constant sound of rolling rocks connected with rock polishing.
The following are only general guidelines for polishing rocks as most people make modifications in the
methods to fit their specific needs.
1. Fill Industrial Ultra-Vibe barrel with enough rocks to fill up past the centerline - approximately 3/4 full.
Tighten wing nut in center of barrel securely.
2. Add GRIT (Check chart below for quantity needed for the various size vibratory barrels.) Turn on Tumbler.
3. Begin adding water, a little at a time until the grit starts to cling to the stones which is what sit should do.
(Too much water will tend to rinse the grit back off the stones.)
4. Replace tumbler lid to prevent the water from splashing and evaporating. This will also reduce some of the
noise connected with rock polishing.
5. The GRIND (120-220 grit) will be the longest and will vary with the roughness and hardness of the stones -
from 2 to 7 days. The rocks should be checked two to three times daily because the build-up of "mud"
(ground up rock, grit and water) will cause the action in the tumbler to slow down. A small amount of water
may be added to restore the action. This is critical because if the action stops significantly, the barrel could be
damaged.
6. When desired results in the GRIND (120-220 grit) are attained, the rocks and barrel should be rinsed
thoroughly. DO NOT wash grit into sink or drain pipe. Make sure all traces of FINE grit are rinsed from the
rocks and barrel. The rocks can then be replaced in the barrel, ready for the next phase of polishing.
7. Follow Steps 2 - 6 for each of the next two phases - PREPOLISH, and finally, POLISH. Use chart below for
correct amount of grit for each barrel. These grinds will take only 2 - 3 days each. The stones and barrel
should be washed thoroughly between grit changes.
8. After the POLISH you may wish to run the stones for a few hours in a solution of laundry detergent and
enough water to make a stiff suds. This will clean off any remaining polish and do a final burnishing job on the
stones.
UV-10 INDUSTRIAL GRIT CHART
GRIND(120/220 grit)_______________6 oz
PREPOLISH (500F)_________3 oz
POLISH_____________3 oz
(Re-printed from Ultra Vibe Tumbler Instructions, Thumlers Tumbler)
Polishing rocks in the ultra Vibe-10
When selecting rocks to tumble, remember, the finished product is determined by the quality of rocks with
which you start. The rocks you use should be sorted by hardness and roughness. Your rocks may vary in
size to include a few up to 1 1/2" in diameter. Vibratory tumblers are most successful on rocks where the
shape does not have to be changed a great deal or on rock which have been previously sawed or shaped.
Agates and other hard stones should not be tumbled with soft materials such as opal. If you are planning to
tumble beach-worn rocks, don't complicate the process by mixing them with hammer-broken rocks.
The industrial Ultra-Vibe should be placed on a firm, smooth, level surface - preferably on uncarpeted floor
with ample clearance around it. This allows proper air flow to the motor. DO NOT cover unit with anything to
dampen noise as this may block air flow and cause the motor to overheat, or possibly create a fire hazard.
Place your tumbler where it will not be in the way because tumbling takes a number of days of continuous
operation and there is a constant sound of rolling rocks connected with rock polishing.
The following are only general guidelines for polishing rocks as most people make modifications in the
methods to fit their specific needs.
1. Fill Industrial Ultra-Vibe barrel with enough rocks to fill up past the centerline - approximately 3/4 full.
Tighten wing nut in center of barrel securely.
2. Add GRIT (Check chart below for quantity needed for the various size vibratory barrels.) Turn on Tumbler.
3. Begin adding water, a little at a time until the grit starts to cling to the stones which is what sit should do.
(Too much water will tend to rinse the grit back off the stones.)
4. Replace tumbler lid to prevent the water from splashing and evaporating. This will also reduce some of the
noise connected with rock polishing.
5. The GRIND (120-220 grit) will be the longest and will vary with the roughness and hardness of the stones -
from 2 to 7 days. The rocks should be checked two to three times daily because the build-up of "mud"
(ground up rock, grit and water) will cause the action in the tumbler to slow down. A small amount of water
may be added to restore the action. This is critical because if the action stops significantly, the barrel could be
damaged.
6. When desired results in the GRIND (120-220 grit) are attained, the rocks and barrel should be rinsed
thoroughly. DO NOT wash grit into sink or drain pipe. Make sure all traces of FINE grit are rinsed from the
rocks and barrel. The rocks can then be replaced in the barrel, ready for the next phase of polishing.
7. Follow Steps 2 - 6 for each of the next two phases - PREPOLISH, and finally, POLISH. Use chart below for
correct amount of grit for each barrel. These grinds will take only 2 - 3 days each. The stones and barrel
should be washed thoroughly between grit changes.
8. After the POLISH you may wish to run the stones for a few hours in a solution of laundry detergent and
enough water to make a stiff suds. This will clean off any remaining polish and do a final burnishing job on the
stones.
UV-10 INDUSTRIAL GRIT CHART
GRIND(120/220 grit)_______________6 oz
PREPOLISH (500F)_________3 oz
POLISH_____________3 oz
(Re-printed from Ultra Vibe Tumbler Instructions, Thumlers Tumbler)
| Gently Used! In Excellent Condition! |
This tumbler was used in our shop only 2 times. We have too many toys
and are running out of room so we must sell a few items. This Tumbler is
like new with only minor (normal with use) rust on the interior shaft and
wing nut. Bowl, seals, springs, motor all in excellent shape! This one
works just like brand (new which retails for $289.70) for a real savings!
and are running out of room so we must sell a few items. This Tumbler is
like new with only minor (normal with use) rust on the interior shaft and
wing nut. Bowl, seals, springs, motor all in excellent shape! This one
works just like brand (new which retails for $289.70) for a real savings!
| Customers Comments: Quick Ship! Excellent Lap! Great Service, I will buy here again! Thank You! R.S. |