Cutting and polishing large rocks

[Tom Good]

Hi,

i'm a mineral and rock collector from the UK. I sometimes collect large (say 20 to 40cm long/wide) pieces of attractive rock of various types, often quartz-based. Some of them would look really good cut and polished.

Before i collect too many i'd just like to know how difficult/expensive this would be.

I guess i can get them cut at a company that cuts stone for kitchen worktops or gravestones. But how long does it take/how expensive would it be to polish them/have them polished for me?

thanks for any advice

[deb193]

countertop cant. shallow depth, long cut

8-12" rock would need 24-30" saw. pricy.

you could cut notch, split rock and then get pieces that can be cut on 10" or 12" saw.

polishing is another matter. get angle grinder kit for large faces. or big vibrating lap pan. more cost.

or make even smaller 4x4 chunks and polish on 8" rotating lap.

[Allen]

A simple polishing method is a product called liquid glass.

A 2 pack that puts on a nice shiny hard surface.

Works really well if the stone is pitted at all as the pits shows up if polished but not when painted.

This stuff is sold to apply on kitchen bench tops so wears quite well.