ombudsman
Well-Known Member
It seems to me that the absolutely ideal (functionally, if not practically) tumbling media would be lead pellets. The lead is soft enough that the grit would actually get stuck into the pellets. (In gem cutting, sometimes lead-topped flat laps are used - the lap is charged by putting grit on it and embedding it by rubbing with a smooth agate or the like.) The weight of the lead would facilitate fast cutting (or sanding.) I don't know that polish would actually embed in the lead, but the weight of the lead would facilitate polishing.
The problem is, of course, the toxicity of the lead and the contaminated water. The used-up lead pellets would be easy enough to dispose of at a recycling center (or metal dealer,) but I wonder how one would deal with the water? Is there some safe, cheap chemical that would precipitate the lead out of the contaminated water?
I suppose a person could make Koolaid with the Pb-laced water and donate jugs of it to an orphanage or homeless shelter... Just kidding. Just kidding. [
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Ideas? (Please don't just say I'm crazy. People with diplomas on their walls have already told me that! [sm=lol.gif] )
The problem is, of course, the toxicity of the lead and the contaminated water. The used-up lead pellets would be easy enough to dispose of at a recycling center (or metal dealer,) but I wonder how one would deal with the water? Is there some safe, cheap chemical that would precipitate the lead out of the contaminated water?
I suppose a person could make Koolaid with the Pb-laced water and donate jugs of it to an orphanage or homeless shelter... Just kidding. Just kidding. [
]Ideas? (Please don't just say I'm crazy. People with diplomas on their walls have already told me that! [sm=lol.gif] )
