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Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips

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  #1  
Old 2017-05-30, 8:34pm
Al Miaco's Avatar
Al Miaco Al Miaco is offline
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Default silicon carbide grit for etching

I have a rock tumbler that I use for polishing metal.

I know I can use silicon carbide grit to get an etched effect on my beads.

I don't know what grit is best to frost over my beads. Does anyone have any experience with silicon carbide grit and what grit size do you use?

I live in Korea so I need to be specific about what I order and have shipped. I have already spent time at the local hardware area and cannot find silicon carbide grit or even anyone that knows what it is. The closest I could get was a 20 kilo bag of aluminum oxide for $100 bucks.

Any help is goodly.
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  #2  
Old 2017-05-30, 9:36pm
Bentley Bentley is offline
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800 if you want a satin finish, 1000 if you want a wax finish. I use 1 rounded teaspoon and a couple drops of Dawn dish detergent. I use seed beads for media; #6 size unless your bead holes are larger, then use bigger ones or they will get stuck in your bead holes. Cover the seed beads just barely with water to make kinda of a slurry. I string my beads loosely to retrieve them easily. As long as the beads can slide freely on the string they will still etch on all sides. Turn on your tumbler and check in about 3-4 hours.
Notes:
Bullseye doesn't etch well.
If you've decorated your bead with dots that stick out the ectching won't be even where the seed bead media can't get into the creases.
You can use your solution over and over again until the beads don't etch well anymore and the seed beads start to break down. Just add a little water each time so it's slurry consistency.
Wanna see pics.
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  #3  
Old 2017-05-30, 9:38pm
Bentley Bentley is offline
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Oh one more thing, try checking a lapidary store for the silicon carbide. That's where I get mine. A little goes along way.
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  #4  
Old 2017-05-31, 12:00am
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Al Miaco Al Miaco is offline
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Thanks Bentley! Great info.

Of course I want to see pics. Pics are great!
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  #5  
Old 2017-06-01, 2:18pm
kansassky kansassky is offline
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I mail order my grit from www.therockshed.com.
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  #6  
Old 2017-06-01, 8:10pm
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Elizabeth Beads Elizabeth Beads is offline
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I use 1,000 silicon carbide grit for a satin finish.

Also, important - don't use the same barrel/drum for polishing and etching.
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  #7  
Old 2017-06-17, 10:28am
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theglasspilcrow theglasspilcrow is offline
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Just want to reiterate what Elizabeth said, once you have used silicon carbide in your tumbler, NEVER use it for polishing!
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