Sandy
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since July 2014
Posts: 91
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Post by Sandy on Aug 6, 2014 11:51:26 GMT -5
After a very disappointing first tumble, got all the way through to the polish stage, only to figure out I had probably underloaded my drum and my rocks beat each other up. So back to the beginning according to manufacturers instructions. I added the few keepers from the spoiled run to some new rough. After 8 days, I wasn't really satisfied with what I saw. That said, I have been reading these forums (there is so much experience to draw from, because everyone shares). I opted to try Rollingstones method. So loaded my barrel, a 3# with 2tbs of coarse grit, and decided to be a little stingy with water. Two days later, 1 1/2 more tbsp. of coarse, two days later the same thing. I checked on the 7th day, anxious to see what I had. I am not sure where the rumor got started that the first tumble of coarse takes 7 or 8 days. Totally bad info. Loaded the barrel with my cleaned rocks 2tbs of coarse, water, and let it go. I checked again after 2 days added my 1 1/2 tbsp. of grit and sealed it back up. It was awfully quiet a couple hours later so I peeked inside. It was covered with foam......foam is not a desired thing to see. I took out 3 or 4 of the bigger stones closed it back up, rolled the barrel around to make sure that i heard rocks rolling around. This morning as I walked by I noticed it sounded okay. I couldn't stand it, I looked inside. No foam, nothing stuck, and I saw my stones covered with a grey liquid resembling melted ice cream. So today, I am happy. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences good and bad. It has really helped me.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Aug 6, 2014 12:01:17 GMT -5
sounds like you are getting it dialed in. I will be posting pictures later this week of a batch of brazilian agate and tiger eye I just finished. The brazilians were all in stage one for 12-18 weeks and the tiger eye all spent 12 weeks in stage one. Patience does not come easy and flawless tumbles do not come cheap (grit gets expensive in stage one).
Chuck
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Sandy
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since July 2014
Posts: 91
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Post by Sandy on Aug 6, 2014 12:06:46 GMT -5
Chuck, I can't wait to see them. I have Blue Tiger Eye that has about 4 weeks on it, and some Moss Agate that have about 3 on them. I am anxious to see your photos. Yes, patience does not come easy. As my stones progress, I'll figure out how to post photos here so you can have a look. =)
Sandy
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2014 12:46:20 GMT -5
Sandy, Many expect to hit it out of the park on the first attempt.. even I was hoping for a miracle, but never got it. Only time will tell as well as your methods in how things are done.. once this has been accomplished.. you'll start to evolve and attempt new ideas, new grits and start to shape your stones..
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Sandy
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since July 2014
Posts: 91
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Post by Sandy on Aug 6, 2014 15:25:14 GMT -5
Yep, I'm a bit picky. This at times is not always a good thing. I have figured out though each change you make or try, you still have to wait a bit to see if it worked or didn't. I can't stress enough though how grateful I am for these forums and people's willingness to share. I have sat for many hours after everyone goes to bed and it's peaceful and quiet, reading, and deciding what to do next. I am just in awe of some of the beautiful things I have seen here. I have been keeping notes everyday on what the stones look like and what I have done thus far.
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Joe
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 274
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Post by Joe on Aug 6, 2014 19:47:02 GMT -5
I will say that I am new to this site as well as tumbling (on my 3rd batch). My first wasnt the best as most the stones had wicked fractures in them and probably should have went through coarse for a month minimum. I have become more picky and rather suprised as to what was just an ehh stone, thrown in out of spite, has come to "really" look like. This site and the experience on it has me dumb founded every day. Gives a person motivation as well as a goal. I wish you the best of luck and cant wait to see your pictures!!!
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