Michel
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2022
Posts: 13
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Post by Michel on Jul 10, 2023 9:02:21 GMT -5
Hello.
I just managed to put my hands on Botswana agates nodules (2 to 4 inches). It seems that you can tumble whole nodules. Do you keep them whole or do you cut them before tumbling. I am scared to end up with shiny duds or minuscule beauties. Can you advise me on the best way for the best result ?
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Post by parfive on Jul 10, 2023 12:28:26 GMT -5
You could tumble a Bot nodule for six months and never see any of the beauty inside so you’re gonna have to break some eggs to make that omelet. Sawing would be preferable to smashing, especially with the bigger ones . . . it’d be a shame to “waste” a real beaut in the tumbler.
Don’t know how many you have but best to start with a few and see how it goes.
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ashley
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2023
Posts: 915
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Post by ashley on Jul 10, 2023 18:10:25 GMT -5
If the banding is on the outside and pretty then tumble it, if not then saw it open, in half, and then tumble them.
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,595
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Post by dillonf on Jul 10, 2023 20:03:47 GMT -5
I agree with parfive and ashley saw them in half then tumble
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Post by youp50 on Jul 11, 2023 13:16:48 GMT -5
The problem with saw cuts is the cut surface becomes concave during the tumbling.
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Post by Starguy on Jul 17, 2023 15:03:10 GMT -5
I usually saw them prior to tumbling. As ashley said, if the pattern shows on the outside, you’re probably good to tumble them whole. I cut them into approx 1/4” thick slices. That way you get several nice pieces per nodule plus you might cut some cabbable pieces. Botswanas have historically been among my favorite agates to tumble. These are mostly Bots.
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,600
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Post by Mark K on Jul 17, 2023 19:35:11 GMT -5
Yeah, and they are harder than woodpecker lips too.
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