POLISHING Petrified Wood with a Vevor Stone Polisher - Unboxing, Tutorial and Review

[@KatyDidRocks]

Note to viewers: Vevor says that they are aware of problems encountered with the machine, and are working to improve it.

[@factchecker9358]

Thanks so much for showing water tube attachment. Beginners need that since the mfg has none and this step is rare on KZbin.

[@KatyDidRocks]

I suspect that it would be better to attach a small water pump, like an aquarium pump. It probably would make the water spray less.

[@jforce91]

If you want a real good polish, sometimes its good to use less water towards the end and let a slurry build up, so it's stone on stone type polish. this may wear through your pads faster though.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thanks for the tip!

[@robbybobby6466]

I’ve had and been using one of these water polishers for the last 20 years. The ones I’ve used never had a side handle. They are great with all kinds of stone. You did an amazing job on the petrified wood Katy. 😊

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thank you! It certainly was a journey. :D

[@tott3457]

You guys were so calm! I would’ve been so frustrated! I recently purchased a solar generator with poor operating instructions! You did a great job polishing! I personally would of returned it and purchased something else after doing some research. 🤪

[@KatyDidRocks]

I was actually doing a review of the item, so I didn't have to pay for it- but I suspect they won't ask me to do it again! :D

[@savagesquirrel9828]

OMG that looked complex! Loved the classical music…I kept expecting Bugs Bunny to run across the screen. I recently got a stove….no instructions. They have a code square that you can access with a phone, but I don’t have one, lol. I hate that you can buy a tool, but they are too cheap to include instructions. You guys figured it out, of course…..me, not likely! Thanks…love the trash-fashion….it should be a thing! I’d have to go for the lawn and leaf bags….because…..a…..they’re black😁

[@KatyDidRocks]

Ha! I wouldn't have figured it out without Jim, for sure.

[@jimrowland6089]

I used a Harbor Freight submersible pump in a bucket with my water and did my cutting or polishing in a large tub that would drain back into the bucket. I used a product called water wetter to help the process. pump size was for a fish tank or something small like that and the hose size was about what you were working with there. Hope this is of use, looks like a handy tool for the price.

[@PrairieGirlRocks]

Lol! You guys Rock! Way to "Keep on doing" Kate and Jim!

[@silverback5033]

Hi Katy, I have a similar machine which I have been using since June 2023, not much longer than yourself. Similar but different problems with water hoses. My wife made me a vinyl apron before I started as I knew how much water these machines throw out when used. Also used long wet weather boots that the apron apron overhangs. Keeps me nice & dry. While I was happy with the results using the polishing pads up to 3000 grit, I wanted to go a step further so I bought a seperate polishing pad kit with the finer grits being 6000 & 10,000. Just takes it that step further. “But wait there’s more”. I also bought some wool polishing pads that really finished the job off nicely without any polishing powder. Might try some polishing powder in th3 future though. Hope this adds to the info on this method. Say hello to “ Darth Did” for me. 😜

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thank you, SB!

[@patriciamckean4186]

Beautiful work Katydid! Thanks to Mr Did too! Love your garbage bag ensemble!! 😅

[@KatyDidRocks]

Wasn't it fetching? :D

[@Speble]

I keep engineering ways to polish my rocks. I'm using a drill with the same kind of diamond pads. I made a water drip out of an old Tupperware(not actual brand) and i just put a bag over the drill and tilt the head so the water doesnt run towards the drill. I also wear a rubber glove and use an electric drill from black and decker (tiny drill) just so I don't accidentally shock myself.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Good plan!

[@cvx2dog549]

Thanks for the review! I’ve been looking for the best way for me to polish larger rocks.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Glad I could help!

[@gwynnfarrell1856]

The trash bags make for a very classy look, high rockhound fashion for sure! How would you rate this machine compared to simply using an angle grinder and spray bottle? Does it have variable speeds? Nice demo and review!

[@ohmike813]

At about $100, the irritating lack of instructions is not so bad. You figured out how to get it to work and it seems to be a capable tool! Mike

[@KatyDidRocks]

You are right, Mike - it just was baffling, that they didn't include ANY instructions on how to set it up. The bottom line is that it works, and it's cheap - I guess easy is too much to ask for. :D

[@randomgrinn]

Pretty annoying. My Vevor is smaller and the hose is different. Came here to figure it out....no help here. Tools used to come with manuals. Now you get worthless safety BS.

[@factchecker9358]

I'm using a cheap angle grinder from harbor freight with a diamond wheel to do rough surface flattening and will use this slower speed wet polisher for diamond polishing with the various grit sizes. The first check for water leaks went okay. I'll use tall rubber boots and woodworking leather apron for the full polishing effort on a 10 inch piece. I'm still pondering how to rig up a wood brace system for smaller pieces after that first big piece.

[@Bones_and_Stones]

I use dry polisher while dipping the rock in water or gently spraying with spray bottle. I mount my polisher in work bench thus creating crude flat lap. I protect the machine with cut out plastic bottle to avoid any moisture reaching the polisher. Results are great and looking at your video, the water delivery system makes it messier than my method (however my way is still far from clean). And my machine costs $30. Yes, there is an aspect of safety that requires a bit more attention, but having polished around 30 rocks with my system I struggle to see a reason for the wet machine. Thanks for your review Kate. It answered some questions. If you wish for a better finish, you can get felt pads and use those with cerium oxide (it will not need that much water). I haven't seen diamond pads with grit smaller than 3000.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thanks for the tips! I think the wet polisher would be great on a really hot summer day. :)

[@deniseview4253]

I’m sure you’ll figure out the new machine. You did a very nice job on the rocks. They are beautiful!

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thank you so much!

[@aurorasalinas1215]

Nice work

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thanks!

[@janehelbert7551]

It did turn out shiny!

[@KatyDidRocks]

I was really happy with it!

[@anniegironne8444]

Woah! That's a lot of work. You look lovely in trash bags😉 A girl has to do what she got to do...

[@KatyDidRocks]

Haha, I was surprised they fit so well. 😝

[@leannaerickson9745]

I'm glad you did that and reviewed it, the more information the better. I am concerned, perhaps unnecessarily, that you don't seem to be wearing safety goggles in this video. I would appreciate your comments about that. Thanks. Keep on doing.👓

[@KatyDidRocks]

Safety goggles probably would be a good idea - although with Al the water flying around, I might not be able to see!

[@leannaerickson9745]

Safety first! Whichever you feel is safest.@@KatyDidRocks 👀👀👀😵‍💫

[@eprohoda]

Katydid-Hi- Thank you. good ~ have a good one!

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thanks. :)

[@wmarian5027]

You might usually want to start with a real angle grinder, and 2 and 5, to get the face generally flat...then your polishing machine can get serious polish done. If you go back forth on two pieces, because you can really judge if you are evenly done and ready to go to next level, when a piece is dry. While one is drying, you can work on the other.

[@KatyDidRocks]

That's really good advice. I have several angle grinders in the garage. No water with 2 and 5?

[@wmarian5027]

I at the least keep a bowl of water handy that I rinse with frequently: i am always soaked...polishing is a summer sport for me :). Possibly could create water\ dustbox to hold it down in and contain some.. To me, all the dust is dangerous and should always be wet. You might get even harsher grinding pads for major, primary grinding to generally remove major material to flatten before moving to refinement with 2 and 5 etc. I suggest hink of your pads that came with this polishing machine as polishers NOT flatteners or smoothers, and they will last a lot longer..you don't want to use their flashy diamond surfaces just to do the major flattening...you want to use them for the smooth and shiny refinement... Als check and see...there might be some resin you could use to fill the open softer holes near the end of polishing and just gently shine the resined areas in the last polishing stages? Have fun! Go for easy wins! I find I can get enthusiastic for this on certain rewarding pieces where I make sure it is as flat as possible before polishing..but no matter what.I am usually burnt out on polishing by mid summer. Comfortable hearing protection helped me keep going. Might be interesting to practice on already flat slabs.

[@woodman4550]

@@KatyDidRocks I just used pad 2 with a spray bottle and it worked Great on a large slab of petrified saddle mountain bog wood.

[@spetkovsek57]

I think the handle is an option to use instead of the bar that is across the top. You remove that one and screw on the side handle in it's place. I bought one of these as well and had to "make" the same kind of hose adapter too. Although I haven't tried to use mine yet I'm glad I got to see your experience. It'll help me when I get mine going one of these days.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Awesome - glad to help!

[@user-sc6zh3uk9b]

Everything I have got from vevor is a pain with no instructions but if they work a little bit of old time trying and trying again you can make it work. It's all trial and error but it will work

[@RyanWeishalla]

I wish I would have seen this one before getting the one I did without the water feed built in. I’ll see how it goes. It doesn’t have the guard, so maybe will even get more wet. Just hope it doesn’t get the motor wet. Thanks for the review

[@RyanWeishalla]

Variable speed?

[@KatyDidRocks]

Yes, it is. I suspect the splashing wouldn't have been so severe if I was using a regular small pump, rather than a hose attachment.

[@Speble]

I smoothed out a piece of pet wood. I regrets it. The piece of wood literally looked like it had been stained and aged with the "Kona" wood stain from menards. Yours turned out amazing tho. I love it

[@KatyDidRocks]

I think it really varies. It also depends how hard it is, I think.

[@largent45]

That's too bad that it didn't come with instructions and you had to rebuild the end to fit your hose but for under $100 it did a really decent job on the flat surfaces! Thanks Kate for an honest review of your stone polisher!

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thanks for watching, Lisa. It was definitely a project, but I'm really happy with the results.

[@joniangelsrreal6262]

Always a pleasure to drop by viewing your wonderful videos …🫶🏼

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thanks for coming by!

[@bhutjolokia6990]

Thanks Kate!! Nice machine, that wood really popped. Bummer on it not coming with instructions. Another way would have find a hose to go over the nipple and run it to a pump rather than the garden hose and you could add a water regulator to adjust the water flow. Great video, this would work great on my big chunk of sunset stone!👍😎👻🌶️

[@KatyDidRocks]

That sounds beautiful. Also, the hose/pump thing is probably what was intended.

[@deantronnes6730]

That big black screw on top may be where the handle goes. It is sealed to keep out the water.

[@KatyDidRocks]

I'll take a look!

[@raystevens687]

Well Katie 1 good thing it's a little summer left when winter gets you won't want to do that anymore.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Ha, yeah!

[@leonacrowley164]

That's sad when a machine like that it didn't have any instructions with it. And had to add stuff to make it work

[@KatyDidRocks]

Leona, I'm guessing that if we had instructions on how to set it up, we might have been able to bypass the hose addition. A viewer suggested using a pump and hose that would go over the original attachment, which i suspect would have worked.

[@woodman4550]

I have one and it does work, I don't use a water hose set up. just a spray bottle. The only thing i do not like is that the threads are not standard, and it4 will not take the other diamond head attachments. I final polish with cerium oxide with felt pad.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Cool! Spray bottle is a great idea.

[@marcussmart3275]

I think the handle is for if you take off the u shaped handle by the blade. Then you can put it on either side.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Ooooh, that makes sense!

[@sandmaker]

Thanks for the demo. Too many unknowns for me. Did you ever find out what the #2 and #5 discs were for. Keep having fun.

[@KatyDidRocks]

One of my viewers confirmed that they are for very coarse sanding.

[@sandmaker]

@@KatyDidRocks thank you and your viewer for the information.🤠

[@FieldsOfGold149]

Nice!

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thanks!

[@saralynn518]

I tried very hard to find you a user's manual online, but had no luck. I think you will have to call Vevor. This seemed to be an issue with this item. I love what you can do with it! For the soft spots and holes, could you fill it with a few thin layers of an epoxy to stabilize it and then polish over it? I have never worked with pet wood before, so I am just guessing. Love the bags!

[@KatyDidRocks]

There is no user manual. I reached out to my contact at Vevor, and she sent me the same safety manual that was included in my box. It's a Chinese manufacturer, so the expectation of instructions may be very different.

[@saralynn518]

@@KatyDidRocks 😢

[@MICHIGANROCKBOX]

Rob from Michigan Rocks can probably give you some pointers

[@KatyDidRocks]

I'll ask him - thanks!

[@doloresmanning9619]

Having PTSD flashbacks of furniture assembly memories.

[@KatyDidRocks]

I'm very glad I had Jim there to help.

[@greatnorthernviews3052]

I guess for the price it is not too bad😊

[@KatyDidRocks]

Once it got set up, it worked pretty well.

[@GalaxieMama]

That would make a pretty lamp if you had a way to convert it.

[@KatyDidRocks]

I actually slabbed half of the big flat one for the Makers Challenge this year - it was beautiful.

[@alicemiller3139]

I think I would have either called customer support or checked online for instructions. That fact that you had to customize the hose to get it to work, in my opinion, is not worth the trouble. Of course you had your husband to help, but it’s just me and I am not sure I would have been able to figure it out. I think I would have put it in the box and sent it back.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Alice, I actually did contact Vevor, and they sent me a pdf of the safety manual that was included in the box. I also did an internet search, and concluded that a user's manual did not exist.

[@briandoortodoordelivery2236]

how long did you spend on each of the sessions/stones in the demo/test?

[@KatyDidRocks]

Not a huge amount of time - maybe an hour total.

[@jeanettestefanik5854]

OMG. Hope this was sent to you for the review and you didn't have to buy it.

[@KatyDidRocks]

It was. I probably would have returned it otherwise - but it does a as nice job once it’s set up. 😊

[@user-vv2il7ie9w]

ok...so the straight handle replaces the curved handle...have to unscrew the curved handle... The compression nozzle needs to be replaced with water hose connector...must purchase separately... I know because I bought one just like it ;0) User manual does not exist...tee hee... but safety manual sorta works as a user manual.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Thanks! Yeah, the safety manual is ok for safety - but does literally nothing for instructions.

[@raystevens687]

Did you happen to buy that polisher from Harbor Freight. If so drive over to 1 of there stores and ask someone that knows someone that knows what they are talking about.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Nope, it’s an online store called Vevor. I actually contacted them - they sent me a odd of the safety manual.

[@thrownasearched7779]

trash bags? try rain coat, the cheap plastic ones.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Yeah, it was Sunday and the hardware store was closed. What the heck, they worked! 😊

[@randomgrinn]

Pretty annoying. My Vevor is smaller and the hose is different. Came here to figure it out....no help here. Tools used to come with manuals. Now you get worthless safety BS.

[@KatyDidRocks]

Sorry about that! I think the hose is intended to connect with a water pump, but the garden hose adjustment works ok.

[@elizabeth-we7bm]

Sorry to tell you but you are using too much water.

[@KatyDidRocks]

That would explain how we’re I got! I’ll try to use less next time.