fmelvis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2010
Posts: 235
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Post by fmelvis on Jan 6, 2012 10:08:49 GMT -5
I've been trying to grind down some agates ( lakers and montana moss) for a few weeks. Its been going very slowly. I've been using some aquarium pebbles I bought at the pet store as a grit carrier. This this type of pebble too soft to wear down the agates or I am just too impatient? Should I use harder type small rocks?
Thnx
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morsefire
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 83
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Post by morsefire on Jan 6, 2012 10:18:39 GMT -5
I've been having luck with clean sand and pea gravel for a week before I start my 60/90. Also, read the "used snot" thread however my eyes have been opened to some new knowledge on that topic. But as of now, I will continue the practice as I thought it made a nice difference.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Jan 6, 2012 10:37:44 GMT -5
Weeks?? Montanas and lakers take MONTHS!!!! I have some lakers that have been in the course grind for over 3 Months! Patience.
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Post by 150FromFundy on Jan 6, 2012 13:44:57 GMT -5
I agree with Stefan. If you are tumbling Montana nodules, Stage 1 (60/90) is measured in months.
You may also try a courser grit for Stage 1. I have been usisng 40/70 for Stage 1.
You may also slightly underfill your barrels. Unlike softer stone that you do not want too much tumbling action, Monatana nodules will survive the extra tumbling action from an underfilled barrel.
Darryl.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,456
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 7, 2012 10:37:32 GMT -5
Darryl makes a very good point. When tumbloing soft stuff like obsidian I use a very full barrel but when working hard agate, I seldom fill over half full as you want the most intense action you can get to optimize the cutting action. It won't bother the harder rocks and it might cut the coarse grind time a week or two ( still takes many weeks though for angular pieces).......Mel
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Post by connrock on Jan 7, 2012 11:59:08 GMT -5
I doubt if the aquarium rocks are doing much good unless they ARE hard and I doubt that. If you use something soft as a filler/grit carrier all it does is cause a 'premature' slurry which will actually slow down the grinding,,, "tumbling" action. Montana Agate can be a real challenge to get "perfect' as it has natural fractures and cracks in it. If you got it as "tumbling rough" and it was already broken up it WILL have a lot of these "flaws" in it as most of it is actually crushed rather then broken. If you broke it up yourself you will also have fractures and cracks in it but not nearly as many as the crushed type.
I did a load of Montana Agate some yeas ago that took me almost 9 months to complete but it WAS flawless! Since then I have accepted it in a less perfect form! LOL
I've never done lakers so I'll leave that up to those who have.
Good Luck,,,,
connrock
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