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Post by Tweetiepy on Mar 3, 2005 9:25:52 GMT -5
What size pieces shouldn't go in with your rocks? I have tiny bits of splintered off rock that I put in with my coarse grit (I figure it can't hurt and will wear the rock down more - or maybe it's eating more grit because of this ) But I forget and they go in the next grit - I can't remember if I put them in pre-polish this time What is the smallest size of rock that could go through pre-polish & polish? Should these little pieces (they're about 1/8" max - various shapes). Should they go into pre-polish - will they scratch the bigger rocks even if they are smooth?
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Mar 3, 2005 9:33:15 GMT -5
In coarse stage, I cannot imagine that ANY size will be too small; they may disintegrate over time but thay cannot possibly hurt the process and I expect thay help. When I started a couple of years ago I thought I had read that a mixture of rock sizes is optimal for each batch; I follow that principle in my tumbling. I do not know why they would be bad in the (pre)polish stages; they should be sufficintly smooth at that point
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Post by Condor on Mar 3, 2005 9:34:44 GMT -5
For me there is no smallest piece. I add in very tiny pieces of rock. That way these smaller pieces will get into the other areas of the bigger rocks and carry the grit with them. This helps in the grinding and polishing of those rocks. I have many small pieces that I save just for this.
Condor
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Post by creativeminded on Mar 3, 2005 9:50:06 GMT -5
Since I get extra rock when I order my sapphire gravel I save back the rock that I think will tumble in different sizes and toss a handfull in the first two stages to make up the difference. Especially if I have to recharge my first stage. Tami
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 3, 2005 10:33:15 GMT -5
Here are some chips I tumbled with larger stuff (they started by themselves but their tumbler STB so they went in with the big guys at 120/220 these are the bigger of the small- I have more that is half this size (about the size of a dime) I think they really help in the process- they act as fillers and also help carry the grit into those hard to grind spots!
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Post by Tweetiepy on Mar 3, 2005 10:36:04 GMT -5
Mine are WAY smaller than a dime, I'm talking about the size of the "0" on your keyboard
I hate to waste
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 3, 2005 11:07:50 GMT -5
NOT A PROBLEM- I guess to answer your question- How smal is to small? Well anything smaller that the 60/90 grit is too small ;D
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Mar 3, 2005 11:20:40 GMT -5
For me there is no smallest piece. I add in very tiny pieces of rock. That way these smaller pieces will get into the other areas of the bigger rocks and carry the grit with them. This helps in the grinding and polishing of those rocks. I have many small pieces that I save just for this. Condor Me too! Ron
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stonedagain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2004
Posts: 114
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Post by stonedagain on Mar 3, 2005 15:31:43 GMT -5
Hey Stefan- What are the green stones with pink dots? Those are way cool looking! -stoned
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Glenn
having dreams about rocks
Member since January 2005
Posts: 55
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Post by Glenn on Mar 3, 2005 21:13:17 GMT -5
Tweetie , When I crush my agate for the tumbler .I save all the small slivers and pieces and when I get a 3 1/2 lbs. barrel full, i tumble them ! You loose some but you get alot of nce tiny ones though ! ;D ;D Glenn
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 4, 2005 9:47:38 GMT -5
All that stuff is Ocean Jasper (http://www.thegemshop.com) These were the chips from the 5 pounds I bought- Can't wait to start the real chunks!
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stonedagain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2004
Posts: 114
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Post by stonedagain on Mar 4, 2005 9:51:28 GMT -5
Thanks Stef- Very cool! -stoned
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Mar 4, 2005 10:38:33 GMT -5
Hi Tweetiepy,
I too save all of my little stuff and add them whenever I need to. They work especially well for getting into the tight areas of the larger stones and will definitely increase your overall quailty of finished pieces.
To me ... nothing is too small. They all serve a purpose.
Enjoy,
John
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