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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 26, 2016 14:44:44 GMT -5
At my current tumbler capacity, it's hard work getting a batch finished each month so I have an entry in the tumbling contest. Doing more pre-grinding and pre-forming to get some material in the Lot O with my tumbled rough. I've had some nice slabbed material from Roger to work with lately though. Here's a few I liked this time around.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2016 15:36:43 GMT -5
You have some good glass there. The sharpness, clarity and contrast of those images are remarkable. Of course, having top shelf subjects didnt hurt.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2016 15:39:43 GMT -5
What is the green one in #2?
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,178
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Post by jamesp on Jul 26, 2016 19:24:13 GMT -5
Where did garage come from ? Eye candy and some. Killer photography on this batch too.
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indiana
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
Posts: 285
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Post by indiana on Jul 26, 2016 19:37:28 GMT -5
Lovely batch! You're doing nice work.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 26, 2016 20:27:00 GMT -5
What is the green one in #2? Those came from Roger. He says he thinks the striped ones are banded onyx.
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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 Jul 27, 2016 9:06:05 GMT -5
Great job, that's a nice collection.
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richardh
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 391
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Post by richardh on Jul 27, 2016 10:01:18 GMT -5
WOW those are beautiful. Definitely the sorts of results I dream of achieving some day. The photography is very impressive as well. I would love to more details about your “studio.” The lighting is fantastic and really reveals the beauty of your rocks.
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Post by txrockhunter on Jul 27, 2016 10:02:22 GMT -5
Good Grief......That is a great lineup!!! Very well tumbled! You obviously you have very good patience! The photography is the icing on the cake!
I love the Pet wood in #4. What is the wood with the blue?
Love the Montanas!! Is some of the material in #8 the Blackskin you were talking about?
Great Job! Keep raising the bar!
Jeremy
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 27, 2016 10:43:43 GMT -5
Good Grief......That is a great lineup!!! Very well tumbled! You obviously you have very good patience! The photography is the icing on the cake! I love the Pet wood in #4. What is the wood with the blue? Love the Montanas!! Is some of the material in #8 the Blackskin you were talking about? Great Job! Keep raising the bar! Jeremy Thanks Jeremy! The flat pieces in #4 came from Roger. I assumed it was colla wood, but didn't ask. The ones at 12:00 and 6:00 are blue forest pet wood. It has more blue in some pieces, but they aren't done yet.
I haven't got any Montana's through to polish yet. #8 is all Blackskin agate, as well as these:
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Post by txrockhunter on Jul 27, 2016 11:03:05 GMT -5
You were right. Those blackskins are almost identical to Montana's! I love those!
Whatever the wood is, it's awesome! Thanks for the ID help.....still learning!
Great job, sir!
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 27, 2016 15:36:12 GMT -5
WOW those are beautiful. Definitely the sorts of results I dream of achieving some day. The photography is very impressive as well. I would love to more details about your “studio.” The lighting is fantastic and really reveals the beauty of your rocks. Thanks for the comments. Your desired results will come with time and reps. I'm in the 'start with good material and don't rush stage one' camp. Everything else is easy after that. When I say good material, that doesn't mean high dollar rocks, just that some material tumbles better than others. Even then, not all of those rocks are destined to be tumbled. Deep fractures and pits must be dealt with first, or they sometimes just get tossed in the 'to be released back to the wild' pile.
The photography was an interest/job well before the rocks and I do have the studio lights, backdrops, etc., but my 'studio' now consists of a black Walmart folding table, a strobe with softbox attached and whatever surface I want to use to show the rocks best.
White art board
Black plastic table for wet photos
Leather bound journal
Bottom side of wooden bowl
Futon
Gun case
Cushion on back of couch as background
Fire pit topper
I feel like creating the polished rocks is more of a process driven thing and what I get to do with them is when the creativity kicks in. Always looking for the best presentation, or at least what I see in my head. Then I run around the house like I'm searching for Pokemon or something until I've found some prop I'm satisfied with. Anyway, that's the scoop on the photography, since you inquired. Keep rolling those rocks and good things will happen.
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huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by huskeric on Jul 27, 2016 20:05:33 GMT -5
Holy schnikes! So. Much. Pretty. Rock.
And the backdrops you use as well.... So very well composed.
Wow, just wow. Thank you for sharing!
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richardh
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 391
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Post by richardh on Jul 27, 2016 21:33:33 GMT -5
Garage Rocker,
Again I am totally inspired! I think I am slowly learning exactly what you are talking about. I think I might have finally gotten it through my head to give plenty of time in stage 1. I am now starting to appreciate the importance of good quality starting material. When I started out on this activity I sort of envisioned tossing a bunch of rocks into the barrel, following the instructions and four weeks later coming out with a bunch of glossy looking rocks. Boy was I off on that notion.
I am starting to realize that many of the rocks I have collected just may not be suitable for tumbling. As you mention, I am seeing lots of deep cracks, pits and the like in my “feed stock.” I purchased a few pounds of agates from a couple of places on line and now that I have built a bit of experience I am starting to come to the realization that 90% of what I got will likely not give me the result I am after simply because they are so fractured and irregular.
Recently I discovered that a tile saw (which we already had in our garage) could be used to help get them into a more appropriate shape. Unfortunately for most of them I had to cut them down to near pebble size to get rid of all the problem areas. Hopefully I can find a place to get some agates and other hard rocks to tumble not too far from home (I live in Houston, TX).
It has been a fun learning process but there is nothing like a success to boost the spirits.
Photography is another subject I am interested in. I have what I think is a decent camera (Rebel SL1) and I was given a lens that I think is pretty decent to use with it (Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX macro). The AF motor is busted on the lens but that isn’t an issue for photographing rocks. I have been using a sheet of printer paper as a background and indirect lighting with the camera on a tripod. My results pale in comparison to a skilled photographer like you. I LOVE the lighting and the colors and textures look so well defined.
I tried using f/11 and a lower ISO setting to get enough depth of field without too much graininess and that seems to do OK but I still think I need more depth of field. The problem is that when I go to smaller apertures like f/16 and f/22 the shutter speed is so slow that I can see camera shake. My tripod is a $40 special and probably not really up to the task. I have tried playing with a cable release (just got it the day before yesterday) and mirror lock-up and I am doing better but still need to experiment.
What aperture do you use for your photos?
Thanks again for sharing, looking at pictures like these just gets me all excited about the possibilities in rock tumbling.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 27, 2016 23:23:12 GMT -5
Garage Rocker, Again I am totally inspired! I think I am slowly learning exactly what you are talking about. I think I might have finally gotten it through my head to give plenty of time in stage 1. I am now starting to appreciate the importance of good quality starting material. When I started out on this activity I sort of envisioned tossing a bunch of rocks into the barrel, following the instructions and four weeks later coming out with a bunch of glossy looking rocks. Boy was I off on that notion. I am starting to realize that many of the rocks I have collected just may not be suitable for tumbling. As you mention, I am seeing lots of deep cracks, pits and the like in my “feed stock.” I purchased a few pounds of agates from a couple of places on line and now that I have built a bit of experience I am starting to come to the realization that 90% of what I got will likely not give me the result I am after simply because they are so fractured and irregular. Recently I discovered that a tile saw (which we already had in our garage) could be used to help get them into a more appropriate shape. Unfortunately for most of them I had to cut them down to near pebble size to get rid of all the problem areas. Hopefully I can find a place to get some agates and other hard rocks to tumble not too far from home (I live in Houston, TX). It has been a fun learning process but there is nothing like a success to boost the spirits. Photography is another subject I am interested in. I have what I think is a decent camera (Rebel SL1) and I was given a lens that I think is pretty decent to use with it (Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX macro). The AF motor is busted on the lens but that isn’t an issue for photographing rocks. I have been using a sheet of printer paper as a background and indirect lighting with the camera on a tripod. My results pale in comparison to a skilled photographer like you. I LOVE the lighting and the colors and textures look so well defined. I tried using f/11 and a lower ISO setting to get enough depth of field without too much graininess and that seems to do OK but I still think I need more depth of field. The problem is that when I go to smaller apertures like f/16 and f/22 the shutter speed is so slow that I can see camera shake. My tripod is a $40 special and probably not really up to the task. I have tried playing with a cable release (just got it the day before yesterday) and mirror lock-up and I am doing better but still need to experiment. What aperture do you use for your photos? Thanks again for sharing, looking at pictures like these just gets me all excited about the possibilities in rock tumbling.
You can bump up your ISO and shoot handheld at those apertures. Your camera will take nice photos, especially for the computer screen at ISO 400, if needed. I'll shoot at different apertures and ISO depending on available light and desired DOF when outside. Inside, with the strobe, it's set at f/11 or f/13 and I use distance from the subject along with a zoom lens to change DOF. If you are outside and need a tripod, or out in a creek or somewhere I never have a tripod or cable release, brace your camera on something and set the timer. Focus the shot, hit the button and let go of the camera. No shake from pressing the shutter release. There's no reason not to experiment with a digital camera. No film to process and you get instant feedback on what you're trying.
Unfortunately, instant feedback is rare in rock tumbling. You're learning the same lessons we all did with our first go around. Speaking for myself, realizing that what you read in the tumbler instructions isn't going to be the reality was the first lesson. First stage takes as long as it takes, not one or two weeks. You can, as you mentioned above, speed it up by using your saw to cut and grind a little before tumbling. I also bought materials to go with the tumbler that haven't been attempted since my first batch with them. Labradorite isn't something I would now recommend for a first batch material. Septarian nodules weren't any better.
If you are going to stay with the one three pound barrel right now, just realize it is going to be a slow endeavor. You'll see that not all rocks are going to finish stage 1 at the same time. You'll have to keep pulling ones you're satisfied with and replacing with something else to keep your barrel at proper fill level. When you have enough done, then move on to stage 2, and so on. Or you can get a Lot O and speed up those last three or four stages. And a 12 lb. tumbler, and...
You've got plenty of time to read some old threads in the rock tumbling section here while your rocks are rolling. A lot of lessons to be learned and some things that have been tried that didn't work. Good luck!
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richardh
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 391
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Post by richardh on Jul 28, 2016 8:34:54 GMT -5
Thanks very much for the help. I have the three pound tumbler as well as a little toy one that holds maybe half a pound of rocks. It is loud but so far I have gotten away with running it. I completely understand why people have several tumblers going at once. Hopefully I can get a vibratory tumbler soon. I was looking at a small Raytech or a Lot-O. My budget is pretty modest. I do have the 3lb tumbler in a more or less perpetual coarse grind. I just check it every few days and add new rocks as room becomes available and take rocks out that look like they are completely smooth. I think I will continue this way and just do all the subsequent stages in the vib.
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huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by huskeric on Jul 28, 2016 10:20:54 GMT -5
I am wondering about a vibratory tumbler as well. I just don't know if my wife will give me enough allowance to cover one. I just bought a QT-12 and took out a second mortgage to keep myself in tumbling grit for a couple of months. (Not really, but the 5lb bag of grit that I bought a month ago is dwindling quickly, especially when you put in 12oz at a time.) I will say that on the whole, that my first 12lb batch was the nicest shaped batch I have run, so I think I'm getting the hang of this (and/or the QT-12 is just THAT good on stage 1). I just got back from a family vacation out to Colorado, and came back with a couple of (hundred) pounds of rocks that I am DYING to get started on. I think I have enough tumbling rough to keep my tumblers running 24/7 for a couple of (hundred) years. Maybe by the time I get to that last batch, sometime in 2060, from my deathbed, I will be able to post some pics that look as good as jamesp. Maybe... =)
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 28, 2016 10:56:16 GMT -5
I am wondering about a vibratory tumbler as well. I just don't know if my wife will give me enough allowance to cover one. I just bought a QT-12 and took out a second mortgage to keep myself in tumbling grit for a couple of months. (Not really, but the 5lb bag of grit that I bought a month ago is dwindling quickly, especially when you put in 12oz at a time.) I will say that on the whole, that my first 12lb batch was the nicest shaped batch I have run, so I think I'm getting the hang of this (and/or the QT-12 is just THAT good on stage 1). I just got back from a family vacation out to Colorado, and came back with a couple of (hundred) pounds of rocks that I am DYING to get started on. I think I have enough tumbling rough to keep my tumblers running 24/7 for a couple of (hundred) years. Maybe by the time I get to that last batch, sometime in 2060, from my deathbed, I will be able to post some pics that look as good as jamesp . Maybe... =) If you've got more rock than you need, box up some, take a few pictures and offer it up for sale. Offset some of the cost of a Lot O and make life easier. With that QT12 and a Lot O, and maybe a tile saw, you can keep yourself as busy as you want. And yes, the 12 lb. barrel is that much better at grinding than my 3 lb. barrels. Made a world of difference in productivity. Not just larger volume, but more efficient at it's job.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,178
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Post by jamesp on Jul 28, 2016 11:55:51 GMT -5
If you are going to really do things right, I would be on garage rocker's coat tails. Great rocks great tumbles and great photos. garage is the package
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 28, 2016 16:03:26 GMT -5
jamesp, I'll take that as a compliment. Thanks! I'm having fun with it all.
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