Hey Jason, sorry again about your dad. That's tough. I don't think that the 500 stage turned gray because of silicon carbide. I think that's the aluminum from the pan and the rock wearing down. It's like sawdust when sanding wood. You would expect it to be the color of the wood, not the color of the sandpaper. I really enjoyed this video. It's something I've never done but have been curious about. I usually prefer watching something from someone with experience, but since you explained what you were thinking and learning along the way, it was very educational. I'm sure you'll do more videos as you get better to show more efficient ways to get the job done. It sure did turn out nice in the end. You have to be very happy with it. Great video. I like one long video rather than two videos.
Thanks Rob! I didn't even think about that! That would explain why it turned an even darker grey than the silicon Carbide did in stage 2. There was definitely grit in the limestone but I must have gotten enough out when soaking it to not have an affect on the final polish. I'm reserving my opinion/recommendations on the Vibralap until I get more experience using it with different sizes and types of rock. I will do more videos on it in the future. And yes I was very happy with the results considering I had thought I had grit contamination throughout.
Sorry for your loss. Lost both of my parents and it was hard. I never "got over" it but you do learn to cope. Additionally, you can fill the voids with a thin viscosity epoxy (clear), before you start polishing, and you won't have holdover grit problems.
I know it’s been a few months since you posted this video. I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Thank you for sharing your experience with this new tool. I am brand new to this and I’ve ordered my first tumbler and I’m anxiously awaiting its arrival. I’m loving learning all about rocks and tumbling and polishing. Really enjoy your videos!
My condolences to you and your family. It's amazing to me how strong you are to continue your video after your lose. Your cycad turned out absolutely beautiful. Thank you for making all one video.
Thanks Judy. He was in rough shape the past few years so I'm glad he's no longer suffering. I took a week and a half break from filming this video to take care of everything. Thanks again for your kind words.
Hey Jason, really sorry about your Dad. It was really hard on me when I lost my Dad in 2011 abruptly due to brain cancer. My thoughts and prayers.... On another note, I've never seen this type of polisher before, vibrations. So cool, and it worked out great. Thanks for sharing your process and learning.
Let’s celebrate! I’m subscriber 4.53. This tasty vid came up when I searched for a vibrating flat lab. Looks to me like you’ve done a lot of the homework for me. Thank you very much two times.
Well James your timing couldn't be better because I have a brand new video coming out tomorrow at noon est on the vibrolap! Thanks for the sub! Celebrations indeed!!
Hello Jason. I'm so sorry for the loss of your dad, my thoughts are with you. I lost both of my parents several months ago; it is a journey. Be kind to yourself, hug those boyz and, yes I loved the video! Be well❤🇺🇸
Belated condolences on losing your Father. That turned out really amazing! never watched one of those gizmos at work, looks like they work well. Thank you for showing us.
Oh jeez, I'm behind on your videos and only just saw this one. I'm sorry sorry for the loss of your dad. My belated condolences to you and your family.
I'm sorry about your father. I lost my mother in September and nothing has been OK since. When I saw this pop up, I got so happy, because this is my dream polisher but then I saw the price and...well...it's just gonna be awhile before I can indulge. Keep up the good work, and I'll be praying for your family.
Fantastic video!! I love the piece you chose, go big!!!! It turned out gorgeous and I love the small caves; they just add to the beauty. What a great new toy/tool lol. And I am truly sorry for your family’s loss. 💜
Nice work.. I'm getting my Covington 16 in machine in the mail in a few days... I'm excited... I have been stocking up on Arizona wood ... Beautiful stuff!!!!
@@RockhoundingLife yes. Rocks (mainly pet wood)are the healthiest and strongest addiction I have ever experienced.. a month ago my girlfriend told me it was ridiculous how much more time I spend on my pet wood than I do with her... She told me to choose between them & all I can say is this " THINGS ARE ALOT QUIETER WITH JUST ME AND MY ROCKS HERE" she was so mad ate when I didn't hesitate on the decision.....
This is outstanding information. I have wondered about these vibrator stands. I have been playing with rocks since the 50's and have just heard about these. It seems like it takes to long to do them in 4 hours I could have had that big rock done and polished and setting on display... I use the 4" and 6" flexible diamond grinder wheels from 50 - 3000 grit on my drill press and can do about 10 - 15 rocks from cut to polish in about 6 hours. But I am 70 now so it might be done faster for younger folk.. WELL DONE!
Yeah these vibrating laps are definitely for specific situations. Like if you have a busy schedule and need something you can start in the morning and walk away from until you get home from work, as long as you have an automatic drip system. Or if you have multiple pieces you want to get done at the same time. Vibrating laps have been around for awhile. Since the early 70's at least. The technology doesn't seem to have evolved too much since then! Thanks for watching!
@@RockhoundingLife Wow this is the first time I remember having ever seen them.. though I am 70 and do forget sometimes. This was a very good video though.. I may change my mind ang make one just for the heck of it.. I will have to watch more of your other ones.. what a great little project eh? What do you do with all of yours? I give some away, store others, display the real unusual ones.. Just my cut rocks.. I do slabs and make cabs (but not in a while need another motor) Thanks for taking the time to show all of this.. Sorry to hear about you dad.. But it will be my turn soon and I will tell him what a good job your doing here! Carry on..
Rob at Michigan Rocks uses a Sewing Needle to dig the grit out of the deep pockets so they wont scratch the surface while on the next stage.. So Sorry about your Father. This must get your mind off the pain. Luck. [i think the rock face is Brain shaped & the color design emphasizes that. LOL.]
Ugh! Dad is a hard loss. Sorry man. I just wanted to tell you that I really enjoy your videos! I'm also a rock hound a few hours north in Sydney. I'm waiting for a slab saw and a trim saw to land from Covington-Eng, and I'm going to start exploring the highlands for interesting material to make cabochons. We also have lots of pet wood, but nothing as intact as your getting in the Valley. Keep up the good work.
That's awesome! I really like Covington engineering products. I'm trying to get them to sponsor the channel but haven't had any luck so far. I would love a 20"+ slab saw. That's the dream!! Thanks for watching.
@@RockhoundingLife I already have my 8" Cab King, so the saws are desperately needed. Yeah, I love the build quality of Covington Eng. Covington told me because of "motor shortages" they have long shipping times. The slab saw I bought is the 16". I don't have the room/money for more ATM.
Sorry about your father, hope he had a good life. Peace brother The grey is the pan, aluminum is softer than the rock. I've worked a lot with aluminum and that is the color of worked aluminum.
@@RockhoundingLife Wouldn't too much weight wear out your plate faster? I would think, although Im new to lapidary, that you would want the plate harder! I use to lap face seals for pumps and we had a stone of some sort with aluminum oxide running in with an oil. I'm only supposing as I don't know much about this process.
For your drip system, use an add-a-tee(3/8 female×3/8 male×1/4 male; the most common tee used) to nearby water stop for your sink. Then run some 1/4 tubing where ever you would like. There are push fitting available to run individual stops to each of your stations. Just an idea.
Hi I watched your Vid this morning and was impressed with it, " but I noticed you where worried about the AO turning Grey, It is possible it was only the Aluminum base that was causing that, as Aluminum has a silver streak and I use an ally rod as a marking pen for doing Cabs and if your interested do a test with just a rock that has been cut and NO grit just water and a drop or two of soap and see what color sludge you get" as this coloring may just be the Aluminum, I have a steel plate Vib lap and it is harder than Aluminum ""Alumininum is 2.5-3 and steel is 4-4,5 and we try to polish stuff at around 7 on the Mohs scale so which will wear away faster. Am sure you will know.
I'm sorry for your loss. This video was really helpful. The machine seems way more hands on then I thought they would be and use more grit than I expected. Is the wear on the pan just superficial? Like is it just polishing the casting finish off the aluminium or can you feel that it has worn down?
I suspect I used more grit than needed in each stage. I also ran it a bit longer than recommended in each stage. This was my first go around so I plan to try and optimize the grit use and time in each stage. Then I will give a proper review. The wear on the pan is superficial. The casting is being polished. It's not being worn down as far as I can tell. I can see this machine being useful for polishing larger rocks like the one I did. Not sure about smaller ones as there has to be an even weight to surface ratio with each piece or else it won't turn in the pan.
Hey Jason when I really need to find something really entertaining as far as the lapidary craft I come back to the video. This is my definite video of yours. Do you ever plan to work with a piece this big again. I hope so.Great Video Brother.
Hey man thanks! I'm glad you found it entertaining! It just so happens I was planning on polishing a big seam agate this weekend on the vibralap. So you can look forward to that video coming out next month sometime. Thanks for watching my friend!
Interesting video. I do not own a vibrating lap like this. Not sure if you have a wet angle grinder for polishing bigger rocks like found at Kingsley North. 2 of my buddies have them and you need no grit at all, super fast way to get mirror finish, you just hook up hose to water source and attach various rubber sanding discs from 60 grit to 15,000. One of my buddies can do 10-15 huge rocks on his outdoor bench in about 30 minutes. He does all rocks on 60 grit, then goes up the grit on all the next rocks and so on. It is super fast, but you need to start with pretty flat rocks cut on a saw. Will save you so much time. About $350 just for the grinder at Kingsley North SKU 3-0439 . You would need to buy all the grit attachment heads as well.
My first thought on the grey slurry was the same a Michigan Rocks in that it is the top of the pan wearing down and turning the slurry grey. I also wonder if you would have put a felt pad in with dawn soap in the lap and let the rock vibrate for an hour or so it would get all the grit to come out faster.
I think now it's 100% coming from the aluminum pan. Makes total sense. Some grit may have been going up the cavities but not enough to cause that drastic of a color change. Probably why I didn't see the color change during polishing because the polishing pad was down.
A water-pic, like for your teeth, would work on vugs to get grit out. Only worth it if you have a lot of such rocks. That rock is cool and reminds me of a brain cross-section😀
I have a drip system now as well that I will show in my next vibrating lap video. Works really well once you get the right drip going for the pieces you are polishing. Thanks for watching!
#jayDreamerZ. I leave this as a bread crumb to Y°ü. Yes you. The one reading this This is your chance to prepare. #ChironLast. And #PrimerFields. #DavidLapoint ---- Love the rocks and jewels and most of all the heart. The family.
One caveat to everyone ..... Resist the temptation to totally enclose the unit while it is running. The motor would likely get too hot and wear out prematurely. Leave the top of the box open. I've met quite a few rockhounds who have enclosed their laps, either to dampen the sound or contain splashes, and then wonder why their motor keeps getting hot.
You could try out a styrofoam cooler around the outside to limit the amount of noise, I built a box around my tumbler with one and I can have it running in my house and hear nothing! Just a thought!
Hey Jason, thanks for sharing all the details. This was very informative, so it is appreciated. I like PW a lot, so I think this was a great first piece to try, for a number of different reasons. I'm curious, did you buy directly from Covington or did you find a local or Cdn. supplier?
Thanks Dan!! Yes you are exactly right!! Someone mentioned it shortly after we released this video and that was exactly it. It was a relief that I wasn't getting grit contamination. Thanks for watching!!!
Do you have any issues with your pan wearing down in the center? After one summer of running a decent amount of 2-5 lb pieces, starting out on 60 grit, I’ve pretty much completely worn down the center of the dish to where there are no grooves left.
