Post by jukerocks on Apr 20, 2012 22:19:37 GMT -5
I have learned that getting a rock tumbler and following the instructions that come with it doesn't produce quality tumbles. There is so much to learn before you finally feel like you're catching on or "getting it". #1 - you need to buy extra barrels to use exclusively for the different stages,
#2 - learn about hardness MOHs scale before choosing the kind of rocks to tumble (don't start with amethyst like I did),
#3 - the first stage of coarse grinding is perhaps the most important - the instructions say run for 7 days in this cycle - that doesn't even begin to smooth the rough rock - be prepared to be PATIENT during this first step. Learn to remove those rocks that have deep pits or cracks that will most likely trap the grit and cause poor results in upcoming steps - again, patience throughout stage #1 is mandatory,
#4 - Cement in the bottom of the barrel? Too much grit? Too little grit? Not enough water? Too much water? Be prepared to experiment and to learn - read other people's posts and learn from them.
#5 - Don't be discouraged when your first batch doesn't polish well. I look at the pieces in my first tumble and see all kinds of pits and cracks that I'm sure caused grit contamination when moving from one step to the next.
The whole process is one of learning patience. I am on my 3rd batch of tumbling and have not yet achieved a beautiful shine. Maybe this 3rd time will be a charm. Batch #2 had rocks that polished unevenly - I think I didn't have enough rocks or pellets in this final stage.
Oh yeah, and one more thought - be prepared for frustration the first time you use pellets! The little things float and it is messy to get them out so you can get to the rocks.
I'll let ya'll know how Tumble #3 turns out in a few weeks and post some pics. A few weeks or a month or two - I'm learning patience for sure!
#2 - learn about hardness MOHs scale before choosing the kind of rocks to tumble (don't start with amethyst like I did),
#3 - the first stage of coarse grinding is perhaps the most important - the instructions say run for 7 days in this cycle - that doesn't even begin to smooth the rough rock - be prepared to be PATIENT during this first step. Learn to remove those rocks that have deep pits or cracks that will most likely trap the grit and cause poor results in upcoming steps - again, patience throughout stage #1 is mandatory,
#4 - Cement in the bottom of the barrel? Too much grit? Too little grit? Not enough water? Too much water? Be prepared to experiment and to learn - read other people's posts and learn from them.
#5 - Don't be discouraged when your first batch doesn't polish well. I look at the pieces in my first tumble and see all kinds of pits and cracks that I'm sure caused grit contamination when moving from one step to the next.
The whole process is one of learning patience. I am on my 3rd batch of tumbling and have not yet achieved a beautiful shine. Maybe this 3rd time will be a charm. Batch #2 had rocks that polished unevenly - I think I didn't have enough rocks or pellets in this final stage.
Oh yeah, and one more thought - be prepared for frustration the first time you use pellets! The little things float and it is messy to get them out so you can get to the rocks.
I'll let ya'll know how Tumble #3 turns out in a few weeks and post some pics. A few weeks or a month or two - I'm learning patience for sure!