Sandy
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since July 2014
Posts: 91
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Post by Sandy on Oct 5, 2014 21:56:18 GMT -5
This past July, I completed my first batch in my rotary tumbler. When I opened it to look at my stones, I was so disappointed. I figured out after reading here that I had most likely under loaded my barrel. Then I heard what I really didn't want to. In order to have nice shiny stones I had to start over. Thought about just tossing my ugly rocks but, there were some that I really liked. Also, I am not a quitter. There's a solution to everything, I just had to find it. So I started over with the few treasures I couldn't live without, and some new rough. I used Rollingstones tumbling recipe, tweeked it a tad. Not much. Well after spending 7-8 weeks in the course for most of the stones, followed by a week in fine and a week in pre-polish. They have been in the final polish stage for 6 days now. I just couldn't stand it, I had to look. Afraid to find chips and cracks, I was so pleased. Here are just two of the rocks, they aren't done yet. Just a progress report. Moss Agate and Yellow Jasper.
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Post by nowyo on Oct 5, 2014 22:02:51 GMT -5
Looking good!
Russ
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Oct 5, 2014 23:21:31 GMT -5
Sweet !! Your on the way to a lovely finish.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Oct 5, 2014 23:39:38 GMT -5
Good for you, a suitable polish is a test of patience and has a large learning curve, and you are well on your way.
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Sandy
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since July 2014
Posts: 91
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Post by Sandy on Oct 5, 2014 23:57:24 GMT -5
Good for you, a suitable polish is a test of patience and has a large learning curve, and you are well on your way. The old dreaded "p" word patience. Very much a learning process. I took notes almost everyday, hoping to be able to refer to them with each successive tumble. Thanks for looking all of you.
They actually look really good in person.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,182
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Post by jamesp on Oct 6, 2014 4:11:05 GMT -5
It's like growing tomatoes, takes time. It's all in the psychology. Looks like you got it mastered, those are nicely polished.
Perhaps a book, 'Psychology of Tumbling Patience' would be a best seller on this forum. Maybe one of the members is in the field and could be available for sessions. Personally, filling the barrel properly and letting it go, walk away and let it do it's thing works.
congrats
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Post by snowmom on Oct 6, 2014 4:30:08 GMT -5
they look really good in the picture too!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 6, 2014 6:09:49 GMT -5
looks like your going to have a great batch of rocks. looking forward to more photos of the rest.
Chuck
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whatamidoing
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2014
Posts: 86
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Post by whatamidoing on Oct 6, 2014 7:36:28 GMT -5
Good for you! Starting over would be hard to decide to do. So grants to you for sticking with those purdy stones. Those two stones are looking good. Patience on the first tumble is so hard. We are experiencing this now. Thought several we ready for next stage, but went back through them and most not ready yet. Sigh. Been 4 weeks in 60/90 and much smaller but still some ridges on them. Patience and back into 60/90.
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Post by orrum on Oct 6, 2014 8:53:12 GMT -5
Nothing beats a try but success!!! Way to ho!!!
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rodeodan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 213
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Post by rodeodan on Oct 6, 2014 9:58:07 GMT -5
Taking notes is a good idea. I have a book with notes on what worked / didn't work for certain types of stones and often refer back when starting new batches.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,688
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Post by Fossilman on Oct 6, 2014 10:36:41 GMT -5
Sandy,those are very nice............
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Post by pghram on Oct 6, 2014 14:03:10 GMT -5
Nice shine.
Rich
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azgnoinc
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 484
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Post by azgnoinc on Oct 8, 2014 10:16:22 GMT -5
Nice job Sandy, looking forward to seeing more pics of the rest of the batch!!
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