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Post by Starguy on Dec 31, 2014 11:36:42 GMT -5
JugglerguyRob, I've had some success using garnet sand instead of 220 SiC. After the rocks are coarse ground, I put a few select pieces in the barrel then fill it with garnet sand. It takes a few weeks but you end up with some very silky smooth stones. And pure garnet sand. Everything else disappears. After that you can go to polish. The first time I tried it, I was only trying to purify my garnet sand. It had quite a bit of regular sand and some other material in it. I threw in a few other stones just to add some volume. I can't remember exactly how long I let it roll, but it was quite a while. It was kind of an experiment and my intention was not to grind the larger stones, just to purify the garnet sand. The charge was mostly garnet sand. It didn't shape or grind the larger stones, just smoothed them. Kind of like a burnish on steroids. It might be worth a try if you have a few stones that are undercutting. I don't think you could put a lot of larger stones in the batch. I'm planning to try it again this summer. I found a good source of garnet sand. I just need to collect a few bags. Later Brent
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 31, 2014 12:22:47 GMT -5
This is really interesting. You find this garnet sand yourself? How would I know if I found garnet sand? Can I buy it somewhere?
When you do your experiment this summer, could you show a rock that undercuts (like granite) done in garnet sand compared to the same type of rock done the normal way?
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Dec 31, 2014 12:34:25 GMT -5
Apologies for the 6 cents, the polish on the pet wood looks good. The only advice I can give is that they may have needed a lot longer in the first stage. However and it's a big however, pet wood is extremely difficult to get perfect. Just when you think you have got it right you find that it undercuts or flakes at the edge of the grain. If you can get the 1st stage right (it may take 1-12 months). Then 7-10 days at 220, 600 and polish of 7-14 days will result (with a soap burnish in between) in award winning material. You are very close. Just remember. Patience grasshopper!!!!!!.
Cheers Scott
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hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Dec 31, 2014 12:38:02 GMT -5
Thanks again all... From looking at the article, I see the electric costs are not insignificant... but not bad... yay.
I will post a good shot of all the rocks together. I bought this cool wood four compartment serving tray that they look awesome in!!
Right now Im pretty excited about all this... Im sure my excitement will ebb and flow, but Ive been a rock hound junky ever since I was a toddler, so I think this will stick. As of now, I am thinking I'll get the other tumblers going, but I am also going to start saving for a saw... gotta have a saw!! Regular slab saw AND a trim saw!
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Dec 31, 2014 12:45:39 GMT -5
He'll I've been a rock junky ever since I was old enough to walk. However I still have days where I go wtf what went wrong. Sometimes you just need to start all over from the start.
Cheers Scott
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hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Dec 31, 2014 18:36:46 GMT -5
Here ya go Cap'n
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Dec 31, 2014 22:03:59 GMT -5
You have a great start for your first tumble. If there is anything that I might suggest for the future, it would be to be careful to add some smaller rocks of the same hardness to your batch. I know your tumbler is a 12#er, but it looks to me like you have some pretty good sized rocks there in your tray. By the way, there are some real beauties there!
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