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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 12, 2015 19:13:18 GMT -5
A friend asked me to polish a few rocks for her. I explained that at least one of the rocks she gave me was going to take a long time to shape and to remove the imperfections. She told me that she didn't consider them imperfections and that she'd like them to stay the same shape. I figured this was a good time to try a vibratory only tumble again, so I added some banded chert that I collected last spring to the mix. This is not my preferred way to tumble, but it's very quick and they do get very shiny. Last time I did this, I ran the rocks for 28 days in 120/220 with daily grit changes in an attempt to remove some pits. After 28 days, I came to the conclusion that this is almost impossible with a vibe. This time, I did four rounds of 120/220 grit changes. I cleaned the barrel out every 24 hours and then let the last one run for three days. I then did two days each in 500, 1000, and polish. I just realized I didn't take a group shot, but I have some individual before and after shots. The first three are my friend's rocks. This one is not very pretty in my opinion. I'm pretty sure this is feldspar. [/url] This one is the only interesting one of the bunch. She got it up in the U.P. It looks sort of like some of the stuff I've found in copper country. Here they are polished: [/url] The next three are some of the chert I added. These aren't the most beautiful rocks every, but they sure do shine up nicely.
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Post by iant on Apr 14, 2015 1:24:24 GMT -5
Great Job on those. I bet you could even polish a turd Rob!
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Post by snowmom on Apr 14, 2015 6:20:36 GMT -5
you sure do get results. I look to your example and keep trying to emulate. That green one looks agate-y pretty cool! thanks for the post.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 14, 2015 10:09:04 GMT -5
They look great!
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riverrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2010
Posts: 1,395
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Post by riverrock on Apr 14, 2015 12:03:03 GMT -5
Nice liquid shine.
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cardiobill
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 879
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Post by cardiobill on Apr 14, 2015 12:09:46 GMT -5
The three she gave you came out much better than I would expect considering what you started with and not using a rotary 1st. Nice job !!!
Bill
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 14, 2015 18:24:59 GMT -5
I brought the rocks to her last night and she liked the first, purplish rock the best. She also liked the end of the feldspar rock that didn't shine up at all. Basically, whatever I hated, she loved. It's weird how different peoples' tastes can be.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Apr 14, 2015 19:06:53 GMT -5
I'll admit this kind of tumble is not my preference but there is a place for it and these came out better then I would have expected under those circumstances. The one exception I will make is petrified wood. I think that stuff looks really cool with some natural character left in it.
Chuck
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