Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
|
Post by Sabre52 on Oct 15, 2009 9:48:46 GMT -5
Howdy folks, Just got these out of the old 33B rotary tumbler. All took an incredible polish, maybe even better than I can get on my wheels. Cool thing is they are polished all over front and back etc. Only one got a bit screwed up was the turritella which got stuck to the vibe wall because I got the grit too wet. I sand in a Minisonic and it's very important to watch the moisture closely because if the stone sticks, it'll wear too much on one edge and deform. Anyway, here are some pics. Sorry for all the reflections. I really need to make me a light box. Most these are 30X40MM. Thanks for looking....Mel The whole group: Golden palm fiber from Texas Palm fiber from Toledo Bend near Texas/Louisiana border: Right is Palm Root from Edison, CA. Left is an unknown as I lost the darn label. probably Texas but maybe California palm fiber; Three from Jamie's pile, look like Brenda Moss, Marfa Black and white? and middle is definitely Burro Creek Purple ( much more purple than picture) Randy, thanks for telling me how to cut this shape. I really like it! The turritella and a pale but pretty purple Botswana agate Two of my top four favorites from the batch. Left: Cady Mtns Fluorite Mine Plume, RT. Condor Agate. Both of these shine so well you can't hardly take a pic that shows the pattern. Finally, Parcellas Agate from Chihuahua, Mexico and Firefly Jasper from up at Hornitos, CA. The Firefly is really remarkable. Even the hematite takes a wonderful homogeneous silvery polish. I think this is my favorite to work of all the Hornitos jasper varieties!
|
|
|
Post by tkrueger3 on Oct 15, 2009 10:03:01 GMT -5
Wow, Mel! Those are all terrific - you got a wonderful shine out the tumbler. How long did you give them for the different stages? I'm guessing it was months rather than weeks!
Tom
|
|
|
Post by Toad on Oct 15, 2009 10:12:58 GMT -5
Great shine and the variety is wonderful. Thanx for the pix. The left palm fiber is probably my fav. Very different.
|
|
|
Post by parfive on Oct 15, 2009 12:04:41 GMT -5
Interesting strategy, Mel - sanding in a vibe then poppin' 'em into a rotary for polish.
I like your favorites too, the Cady plume and the Condor.
Rich
|
|
lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
|
Post by lparker on Oct 15, 2009 12:11:18 GMT -5
"Sorry for all the reflections"--- Reflections like that are great, but Pleeease don't take pictures neked!
Lee
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Oct 15, 2009 12:30:04 GMT -5
Fantastic cabs Mel!
Nate
|
|
|
Post by Tonyterner on Oct 15, 2009 12:31:27 GMT -5
Mel they are all beautiful even if you are cheating. ;D I'm partial to that Caddy Mts. flourite mine plume.
|
|
Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
|
Post by Sabre52 on Oct 15, 2009 12:50:39 GMT -5
Tom: My process was as follows: Shaped on the wheels and sanded up to 260 but quite a few scratches were left as this Nova wheel wears out fast. Then five days in 110/220 in the minisonic (or the Huey helicopter as I call it. Man that mutha is freaking noisy!). At the end of this stage I check for any scratches that have not been removed and move them into the next batch if they still show scratches. Then on to 14 days in tripoli in the 33B with lots of small agates and plastic pellets and finish with 14 days in Rockshed AO with lots of small agates for filler and lots of plastic pellets.....Mel
|
|
|
Post by Bikerrandy on Oct 15, 2009 13:13:48 GMT -5
Those turned out perfect!
|
|
Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
|
Post by Wolfden on Oct 15, 2009 13:35:56 GMT -5
Great batch Mel ... wicked nice shine
Wolf
|
|
NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004
|
Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Oct 15, 2009 14:42:29 GMT -5
Man... those turned out great! I like your favs too.
|
|
kjohn0102
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2006
Posts: 774
|
Post by kjohn0102 on Oct 15, 2009 15:14:41 GMT -5
These are great Mel. I too have started a batch in the tumbler-lack of time and skill on the wheel for me! I hop e mine turn out as pretty as these! kj
|
|
|
Post by stonesthatrock on Oct 15, 2009 16:59:59 GMT -5
those look wonderful mel. you still spent lots of time on them and it shows.......... Ralphs favorite shape is doing to concave. Somes to be the easist too. Let the wheel do all the work. hehehehe
mary ann
|
|
aunuts
fully equipped rock polisher
Some days are gold, some are rocks. Either is cool.
Member since March 2006
Posts: 1,110
|
Post by aunuts on Oct 15, 2009 18:03:12 GMT -5
WOW! Just WOW! Jo
|
|
MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
|
Post by MikeS on Oct 15, 2009 18:33:45 GMT -5
very nice!
|
|
|
Post by rockchalk on Oct 15, 2009 20:37:48 GMT -5
I'm starting to catch that Palm fever you been carrying. An inspiring batch of cabs, thank you for sharing them!!
Scott
|
|
carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
|
Post by carloscinco on Oct 15, 2009 21:12:40 GMT -5
You've set the bar awfully high! Great looking cabs!
|
|
|
Post by montanamuskrat on Oct 16, 2009 0:41:12 GMT -5
Beautiful cabs and great shine. All looked great. Debby and Tom
|
|
adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,777
|
Post by adrian65 on Oct 16, 2009 1:02:35 GMT -5
They don't look like tumbled, the mirror shine and the crisp shapes make them look like individually cabbed. The palm woods are my favorites especially the golden ones and the dark one cut lengthwise. The pale botswana is also a beauty.
Adrian
|
|
wyobrian
fully equipped rock polisher
GO VIKINGS
Member since February 2009
Posts: 1,739
|
Post by wyobrian on Oct 16, 2009 9:44:46 GMT -5
great batch Mel Brian
|
|