luckie to have dumped a ton of work and learning in my lap I think????

[buckster]

Hi all,
Guess i'm new to the whole marble polishing game, years (20+) ago I collected antique beads and would get some german marble beads from time to time and fell in love with the colored gems, most were badly damaged being traded around africa for years. Then a few years ago I got a small Lot of marbles at a auction that reminded me of the beads and fell in love with marbles. Since then I've picked up some here and there but recently a marble polisher came up at a auction and I snagged it. I was thinking it would be nice to use on some older beads that are in bad shape but most old beads I don't touch as it ruins there appeal and value. Once I got it home I found that it was not only a polisher but a ton of pipe tips and pounds of grit and in the bottom of the box was quite a few old german marbles in various repair. Some i've pulled out thinking how could anyone want to polish these, so I'm not touching those but close to 75german and 80newer slag type (guess all have to start learning makers and names) of the rest look like they are in various states of polishing or are in need of some serious help some I think are just beyond help. I guess I have a few questions 1st and foremost does anyone have some directions as to how to use the machine I kind of get the idea but guess I'd like to have something written down so I don't miss something if anyone could e-mail it to me I really appreciate it. 2nd how badly chipped should I forgo even trying to polish as some of the large marbles have very bad chips and I don't see how they would even work in the machine one marble looks like thay tryed to melt it now it has bubbles all over it? Also should I go ahead and bye the diamond cups I've seen talked about on here (where) then what to do with all the old grit?
As for the marbles started which grit should I start next I've had what looks to be a simple clear glass marble that was started "didn't want to mess up a nice one" in the polisher for about 2 hours with the 1000 grit and very little progress maybe they only had the 60 grit process done ?

Thanks
Jason

[leroy71]

Hello Jason,
First, what kind of polished did you pick up (two headed or three headed or other?) I will be happy to help you get started with the machine. If you wish please email me at marblemender@neb.rr.com and all the experience that I have I'll be more than happy to share. ----Leroy----

[buckster]

Thanks for the response Leroy Ive e-mailed you some more details
Much appreciated

[leroy71]

Information coming at you----Leroy----