ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Oct 8, 2022 20:04:46 GMT -5
I'm interested to know if you prep your rocks before tumbling in any way to speed the shaping process along. And what do you use? (dremel, flat lap, saw, etc.)
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vance71975
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 760
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Post by vance71975 on Oct 8, 2022 20:29:40 GMT -5
I'm interested to know if you prep your rocks before tumbling in any way to speed the shaping process along. And what do you use? (dremel, flat lap, saw, etc.) I will some times knock off lips or small protrusions or split them in the case of a bad crack with a chisel. I have ground some Holes or nubs i could not get off with a chisel using a belt sander with SiC belts but that is a VERY slow process and would not suggest it. I have not got the right discs and burrs for my Dremel yet but I will do shape ups with it once I do.
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 8, 2022 20:37:22 GMT -5
Sometimes I'll use my trim saw...sometimes the slab saw - depending on how badly the issues are. I have also preshaped obsidian on the cabbing wheels...
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pebblesky
fully equipped rock polisher
Purchased another UV mini bowl for tumbling
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,442
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Post by pebblesky on Oct 8, 2022 21:54:10 GMT -5
I only have access to a hammer so far, and I use it to get rid of the faulty ends of thin rocks.
I really should try the dremel tomorrow...
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 356
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Post by mjflinty on Oct 9, 2022 5:42:30 GMT -5
I'm a flintknapper and I tumble a good bit of my chert debris; I will shape some pieces to remove thin edges or 90 degree angles. It does speed up the rough grind!
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Oct 9, 2022 7:52:57 GMT -5
Thanks for all the responses - I'm definitely going to have to start doing this! I have a lot of pieces with sharp edges - mostly chert and chalcedony - that take a very long time to smooth in the tumbler. And even then, they wind up keeping their angular shape. Sometimes that looks good, and sometimes I'd rather them have a rounder shape.
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quartzilla
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2020
Posts: 1,218
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Post by quartzilla on Oct 9, 2022 8:24:57 GMT -5
I will saw off troublesome areas before starting. I also will use the flat lap to further shape, remove pits, and remove spalls and other flaws after they have run a while and I can determine it the stone is worth the extra effort or not.
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