snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
|
Post by snuffy on Sept 26, 2012 15:09:16 GMT -5
Decided to try some again,after seeing all the great Obs everyones puttin' up.Not really pleased with these,there are 2 lot-o batches.Some came out nice,some didnt.I think the pics show them to be better than in person.Anyhow,here they are.A few have frosted edges.Probably had too many large pieces too.A variety . About 8 lbs. Large chunks The only one I was able to catch the color in. Thanks for looking. snuffy
|
|
herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
|
Post by herchenx on Sept 26, 2012 15:14:00 GMT -5
man now you got me nervous. I've got a whole load of OB and glass and was all optimistic.
If you have trouble what chance do I have!?
|
|
snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
|
Post by snuffy on Sept 26, 2012 15:21:21 GMT -5
Lol,John,yours will turn out! My agate and jasper tumble methods are too ingrained to adjust to the obsidian.Not enough patience either! I also got away from my AO polish and used some cerium oxide for the first time in years.Thought it was supposed to be good for obsidian.
snuffy
|
|
riverrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2010
Posts: 1,395
|
Post by riverrock on Sept 26, 2012 15:54:41 GMT -5
I have some from FISH but i have to wait for two more weeks before i can start. Yours looks shiny to me , i can see the trees in leaves in some shots. So having all the same size pieces might help too?
|
|
carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
|
Post by carloscinco on Sept 26, 2012 18:54:11 GMT -5
Those look pretty good to me. The batches of obsidian I've seen around here over the last couple of months got me stirred up. I've been working obsidian in my 9 pound barrel for the last few weeks. I'm trying to get enough pieces past the coarse stage to load two 3 pound barrels.
|
|
|
Post by Bikerrandy on Sept 26, 2012 19:48:13 GMT -5
Great rainbow in the last pic, that's a sweet batch!
|
|
|
Post by Toad on Sept 26, 2012 22:15:51 GMT -5
I think obsidian is a long way off for me...
|
|
tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
|
Post by tkvancil on Sept 27, 2012 0:30:10 GMT -5
From where I'm sitting they look pretty good
|
|
darrad
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,636
|
Post by darrad on Sept 29, 2012 14:56:37 GMT -5
Looks good. Midnight lace gives me fits trying to polish it in a tumbler.
|
|
|
Post by frane on Oct 1, 2012 19:34:56 GMT -5
I can only get obsidian to turn out right in a tumbler with at least 50% pellet filler. I tried it in the vibe and they never turned out. You have some great material here snuffy! Looks like some did great! Fran
|
|
|
Post by tntmom on Oct 1, 2012 22:41:54 GMT -5
Snuffy,
I think they turned out great even though some frosted!! I only run ob in the Lot-O with 50% ceramics and some borax.... I promise that if you try that, none will frost. Also run it a tad drier than usual... Kinda stinks though because it takes so long to get a full batch done.
|
|
hand2mouthmining
spending too much on rocks
Purveyors of California Gem Rock
Member since September 2011
Posts: 495
|
Post by hand2mouthmining on Oct 11, 2012 2:39:57 GMT -5
Thank you for the tips on tumbling the O'Sidian, friends!
We had to put our vibe (Gy-roc C ) on hold, life got in the way. Will resume the tumble next week, with LOTS more cushioning. We like the tile spacer idea, it should prevent the spalling that occurred in the first try.
Thankfully, we have tons O'Sidian, all wrested from the earth with blood, sweat and muscle, so if at first, and that sorta stuff!
Later!
Kris
|
|
The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
|
Post by The Dad_Ohs on Oct 11, 2012 7:15:26 GMT -5
I don't know .. i see color in a few pieces but don't see the frosting.
I think they all look Great!!!! I hope mine do half that well when I start them.
Can't wait for my batch to arrive from the $1/pound dude so I can try tumbling some of that SOb!! (hehe)
I bought 20 pounds of snowflake and it should be arriving here anytime now... he knows to beep the horn so I can come out & get it from him!!
|
|
sheltie
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2012
Posts: 982
|
Post by sheltie on Oct 20, 2012 8:34:33 GMT -5
Again, in my continuing quest for knowledge, how and when is borax used in tumbling and what is it's purpose?
|
|
Dora
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2012
Posts: 252
|
Post by Dora on Oct 20, 2012 15:51:35 GMT -5
I can't pinpoint the frosting as I don't have that much experience with Obsidian yet. I have a first stage batch in my rotary and I will be very happy if they will turn out like yours.
Sheltie, borax is usually used after polishing as a burnishing stage to give a higher shine to the stones. In Krystee's recipe for obsidian it is also used (vibrating tumblers) starting on the second stage to thicken the slurry to protect the stones and get a smoother finish. I will be trying it out on my rotary tumbler when I get to stage two, to see if will also help.
|
|