hello fellow rockhounders the glass is low quality.just shards of wine bottles and water bottles...... i tried aluminum oxide and then a wash with some dish detergent.using rotary tumblers the finish continues to be dull........not the glossy finish of unprocessed glass. i will appreciate the solution to this ( no pun intended)........ yours happily in the green playground gail http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,44737#msg-44737 Thu, 23 May 2013 10:55:38 +0000 Phorum 5.2.15a http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,285836#msg-285836 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,285836#msg-285836 Rock Currier Lapidary and Faceting Wed, 20 Feb 2013 09:01:15 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,285802#msg-285802 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,285802#msg-285802 Linda Carnicelli Lapidary and Faceting Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:38:53 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,262721#msg-262721 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,262721#msg-262721 This is supposedly rounding off the edges by dissolution of the glass.
Maybe add some baking soda, as alkaline solutions will speed up the dissolution.

I've seen that in a TV science show many years ago.
It was said to be a technique occasionally used by people who show off walking on glass sherds with their naked feet.

The look of the glass sherds is basically unaffected.
So this is no replacement for tumbling.
You might give it a try.
I have not tried it myself, so don't ask me for details.]]> Amir C. Akhavan Lapidary and Faceting Tue, 05 Jun 2012 20:35:32 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,262704#msg-262704 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,262704#msg-262704
You do not want to individually grind and polish each piece.

You do not want to buy a tumbler.

You want it done right, and right now, without wasting any time.

May I suggest trying magic?

If that doesn't work, make a very modest investment in a decent tumbler and range of grits. It really is a very, very simple process, and glass is soft so it won't take that long.

This website has everything you'll ever need to know about tumbling:

[rocktumblinghobby.com]]]> Tim Jokela Jr Lapidary and Faceting Tue, 05 Jun 2012 18:57:36 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,257844#msg-257844 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,257844#msg-257844 Hi fellow glass inthusiests,
My inquiry is: I do art and would like to do a glass mosaic on a French Glass Dividing Wall I have between my kitchen and living room. I have not worked with to much glass when it comes to art but I have broken up colored glass pieces(from bottles, vases, etc.). I do not own a tumbler to smooth out my broken glass and it is far to much work to individually sand hundreds of small pieces with sand paper. I dont have an oven to heat up to 2100 degrees or what have you. I have a blow torch, oven, microwave, somewhat regular household items. I want to do it right, but when the muse calls, I like to jump into it. Any suggestions other then to go out and buy what I need. I just want to round off edges on broken glass without taking 100 years to do so!
Thx- Jennifer ]]> Jenny Lapidary and Faceting Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:21:03 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,192751#msg-192751 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,192751#msg-192751 Jamey Swisher Lapidary and Faceting Thu, 05 Aug 2010 03:24:24 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,192685#msg-192685 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,192685#msg-192685 rock polishing is www.rock-polisher.com

Rock Polishing Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If you check out my rock polishing blog, you'll
> find all the answers u need there]]> LapidaryMadness Lapidary and Faceting Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:04:44 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,180957#msg-180957 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,180957#msg-180957 Donald Slater Lapidary and Faceting Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:33:35 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,180949#msg-180949 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,180949#msg-180949 Donald Slater Lapidary and Faceting Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:35:56 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,180431#msg-180431 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,180431#msg-180431
Bought a 60lb plus piece of glass rock. It is leftover glass from windows, they sell to tourists. Want to sand it up and polish it, and set it by my swimming pool.

Any advice ? We have been using a drummel with a fine stone for the edges and a sandpaper tip for the surface. Seems to scratch it up. HELP!

Thanks, Heidi]]> Heidi Lapidary and Faceting Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:42:51 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,170537#msg-170537 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,170537#msg-170537 Jamey Swisher Lapidary and Faceting Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:10:36 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,170110#msg-170110 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,170110#msg-170110 I'm using polishing machine which is simply rocking rubber wheel i need to know what are the steps of polishing and what are the chemicals used in polishing in every step the right quantities to be used. should I add any smaller size round beads to give round effect as a result?
please any good information or advice will be appreciated]]> bhavin Lapidary and Faceting Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:59:43 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,170108#msg-170108 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,170108#msg-170108 I'm using polishing machine which is simply rocking rubber wheel i need to know what are the steps of polishing and what are the chemicals used in polishing in every step the right quantities to be used. should I add any smaller size round beads to give round effect as a result?
please any good information or advice will be appreciated]]> bhavin Lapidary and Faceting Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:58:24 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,126970#msg-126970 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,126970#msg-126970 rock polishing blog, you'll find all the answers u need there]]> Rock Polishing Lapidary and Faceting Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:30:40 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,122270#msg-122270 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,122270#msg-122270 I just accidentally found your blog discussing polishing beach glass.
New to this. I have a new tumbler (never have used it...not sure what to do)
I would like to just put some shine on the beachglass I have found. Any EASY and relatively
simple ways to do this?
Thanks for your help.]]> ss Lapidary and Faceting Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:30:56 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,83828#msg-83828 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,83828#msg-83828
I wonder out loud, if I read the queries correctly?...did you have pieces of blown glass and tumbled them to get rid of the sharp edges, BUT, were disppointed that the process took away the original shininess of the glass pieces...??
if all you want to do is take away the sharp edges, but keep the original shininess, then may I suggest that you apply gently increasing pressure of gas to a blow torch and run it back and forth along those sharp edges. it will melt the sharpness away and yet maintain the original shininess and essential shape of the original shards..
It can't hurt to try it out on a few small pieces to find out the right temperature and pressure of gas that melts and softens the edges without melting the entire piece...
Just a thought.
Ray]]> Ray Hill Lapidary and Faceting Sun, 30 Dec 2007 02:39:24 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,83801#msg-83801 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,83801#msg-83801 John Truax Lapidary and Faceting Sat, 29 Dec 2007 18:53:54 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,83582#msg-83582 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,83582#msg-83582
thanks

gail]]> gail Lapidary and Faceting Thu, 27 Dec 2007 04:13:45 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,83512#msg-83512 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,83512#msg-83512 Norm Robar Lapidary and Faceting Tue, 25 Dec 2007 21:52:32 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,70213#msg-70213 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,70213#msg-70213 David Von Bargen Lapidary and Faceting Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:27:06 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,70195#msg-70195 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,70195#msg-70195 Paula Stalker Lapidary and Faceting Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:26:05 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,66981#msg-66981 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,66981#msg-66981 I have seen some glass that has been polished quite effectively with hydrofluoric acid, but have never done it myself except to small portions of my eye glasses. Also hydrofluoric acid is a really scary acid to work with and let me assure you, from personal experience, that unless you have been instructed in its use, you should not get involved with this critter. If you have large quantities of glass to polish you may wish to explore this possibility, but if you have just a few pounds to polish, you should probably keep on track with the lapidary option.

Has anyone here had any experience with polishing glass with HF?]]> Rock Currier Lapidary and Faceting Fri, 08 Jun 2007 06:14:28 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,66641#msg-66641 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,66641#msg-66641 Joanne Lapidary and Faceting Sun, 03 Jun 2007 22:38:27 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,64858#msg-64858 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,64858#msg-64858 Joanne Lapidary and Faceting Thu, 10 May 2007 01:37:45 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,64078#msg-64078 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,64078#msg-64078
For using grit in sand blasting, make sure your nozzle was designed for the appropriate hardness of your sand agent (it can erode the nozzle faster).]]> David Von Bargen Lapidary and Faceting Mon, 30 Apr 2007 10:01:21 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,64070#msg-64070 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,64070#msg-64070 joanne Lapidary and Faceting Mon, 30 Apr 2007 02:42:07 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,45455#msg-45455 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,45455#msg-45455
I have the directions on my blog for making beach glass. If you are trying to polish to a high gloss you just keep going through the steps using Tin oxide for the polish with plastic pellets.

Make sure the barrel is 3/4ths full with the glass and plastic pellets. When you add the water replace 1/2 of it with corn syrup. This thickens up the solution, slowing down the process, which keeps the glass from scratching itself up. If you have 3/4ths full with just the glass, remove some and put in the pellets when you get to the polish stage.

You can also skip the first grit as it leaves deep pits in the rock that take a long time to get out.

If you are doing flat pieces you MUST add small (BB size or platic pellet size) pieces of glass to work their way between to polish the face of the slabs.

[rocktumblers.blogspot.com]

Do each stage of the process for 3-5 days checking every day once you get to the polish stage.

The polishing stage can take up to 2 weeks alone to get that gloss. If everything has gone right it should take about 5-10 days in the polish.

Rick]]> Anonymous User Lapidary and Faceting Tue, 05 Sep 2006 15:45:44 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,45079#msg-45079 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,45079#msg-45079
yeah ..........a master glass polisher....just who i wanted to talk to.......
thanks for taking the time to post

rocky]]> gail Lapidary and Faceting Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:48:41 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,44969#msg-44969 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,44969#msg-44969
I help people polish glass everyday.

If you want to call me I would be glad to give you detailed instructions. I am to slow of a typer to type it all out.

I have been doing tumbling for over 30 years and have done hundreds of pounds of glass.

Rick Dalrymple
801-355-7952]]> Anonymous User Lapidary and Faceting Thu, 31 Aug 2006 18:15:23 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,44966#msg-44966 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,57,44737,44966#msg-44966
thanks for trying to lead me straight

rocky]]> gail Lapidary and Faceting Thu, 31 Aug 2006 18:02:58 +0000