ROCK ROOM WORKSHOPS
January 24th, 2009
This was our 2nd. workshop of 2009. There were 18 Lapidary Artists, and everybody was
busy grinding and polishing. Everyone was able to finish a stone or two. It was a fun and
exciting day. I have listed the steps below
This was our 2nd. workshop of 2009. There were 18 Lapidary Artists, and everybody was
busy grinding and polishing. Everyone was able to finish a stone or two. It was a fun and
exciting day. I have listed the steps below
We start with the trim saw. I have a couple 4 inch and a 6 inch trim
saw. All have notched rim diamond saw blades. They are very thin
and cut fast and clean. Cooled by water.
saw. All have notched rim diamond saw blades. They are very thin
and cut fast and clean. Cooled by water.
| Sue trimming with the 4" |
| Nick trimming on the 6" |
| Dave and Brian discussing the finer points. Got very intense! |
| Ted, Jan, and Jim Jan brung snacks |
This is Matthews 2nd. Stone
Brian
Step One
Step Two
After we have trimmed out the shape that we want we start the
grinding process. We start with an 8" 80/100 sintered diamond
wheel. I call this my Hogenoff wheel, because it hogs it off quickly.
All the diamond wheels are cooled by water.
After we have trimmed out the shape that we want we start the
grinding process. We start with an 8" 80/100 sintered diamond
wheel. I call this my Hogenoff wheel, because it hogs it off quickly.
All the diamond wheels are cooled by water.
| This is Sue's first visit to the rock room |
Step Three
When finished with the rough grinding wheel, we move
onto the 360 diamond grinding wheel. This wheel will
take out the scratches from the 80/100 wheel, and will
do the final shaping.
When finished with the rough grinding wheel, we move
onto the 360 diamond grinding wheel. This wheel will
take out the scratches from the 80/100 wheel, and will
do the final shaping.
Randy
Step Four
Next wheel: 600 diamond. This will take the
scratches left over from the previous wheels.
This is the last hard wheel.
Next wheel: 600 diamond. This will take the
scratches left over from the previous wheels.
This is the last hard wheel.
| Katie and Randy grinding away |
Step Five
Is sanding. This will be a pre-polish. We use a 8" expandable drum
with a polycotton belt. It is charged with 1200 mesh diamond paste.
The expandable drum is a soft sanding unit. Sanding a stone is much
like sanding wood. At this point you are sanding the very fine
scratched that are very difficult to see without magnification. The
better the sanding job the better and faster the finish.
Is sanding. This will be a pre-polish. We use a 8" expandable drum
with a polycotton belt. It is charged with 1200 mesh diamond paste.
The expandable drum is a soft sanding unit. Sanding a stone is much
like sanding wood. At this point you are sanding the very fine
scratched that are very difficult to see without magnification. The
better the sanding job the better and faster the finish.
| Ken and Jane on the sanding units. |
Step Six
The last and final step is polishing. We use a
Tin Oxide paste on a hard felt wheel. You mix
water with the Tin Oxide to the consistency of
thick soup, and then also add a squirt of liquid
dish soap.
You spray the felt wheel with water and get it
good and wet. Then drizzle the Tin Oxide
mixture with a small cheep paint brush and
then polish. If you sanded well, the polish will
be quick and glossy.
The last and final step is polishing. We use a
Tin Oxide paste on a hard felt wheel. You mix
water with the Tin Oxide to the consistency of
thick soup, and then also add a squirt of liquid
dish soap.
You spray the felt wheel with water and get it
good and wet. Then drizzle the Tin Oxide
mixture with a small cheep paint brush and
then polish. If you sanded well, the polish will
be quick and glossy.
I hope you enjoyed the virtual workshop!
Back to:
| Casey trimming with the 6" |
| Sandy, Jan and Kristin dopping at the pot |
| Katie and Dave looking thru the box of Smokey Quartz |
| A pair of Agates and a pink Datolite with copper polished. Specimens collected from the Keweenaw, MI |