richardh
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 391
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Post by richardh on Dec 1, 2016 17:15:59 GMT -5
Now that Thanksgiving is done and I once again have some space to set up my little photography studio I am getting around to showing off my recently completed batch of rocks. Many of these were sent to me by GarageRocker. I wish I had more of his rocks to show off but several of my family members took some home with them on Thanksgiving. They were in a bowl as the centerpiece of the table. I have obviously not yet achieved the level of results that Randy gets but I think I am continuing to improve. Hopefully it won’t be too long until I get the results I am after and I have to thank everyone here for the progress I have made so far. Here’s the entire group Here are a few close ups of some of the better looking rocks. Sorry for the sloppy photography. I should have tried for more depth of field and while editing the photos I should have been more careful about how I placed all the rocks but hopefully you can get an idea of what the results were like. These are a couple of pieces of “Sea Jasper” and a couple of pieces of Mexican Crazy Lace, a couple of rocks from Randy and one slab given to me by Arlen (radio). I am afraid I haven’t done the slab justice and will probably send it back through the process at least to the 500 grit stage. The bottom rock is a piece of Kabamba Jasper that I wasn't able to get a good shine on. Mostly petrified wood I continue to struggle with cracks that go deep into the rocks as well as pits as you can see here The big black one is a piece of obsidian that my cousin brought me from California. It isn't terribly shiny but I hope to figure out how to get a better shine soon. Thanks for looking!
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Post by wigglinrocks on Dec 1, 2016 17:47:27 GMT -5
Super shine , very well done . I know what you mean about the deep cracks . If you want anything to show for your efforts , rolling them till flawless is not an option .
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Dec 1, 2016 18:15:39 GMT -5
Great batch. Sometimes a rock just isn't going to cooperate. If there are really deep holes or big cracks, get rid of them. Every rock that goes in the tumbler might not end up perfect. I've started pulling more and more instead of grinding them down to nothing just to get them perfect. Or if I really like the rock, and there is a flaw or two, I don't let it bother me.
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richardh
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 391
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Post by richardh on Dec 1, 2016 18:48:24 GMT -5
Very true about throwing out rocks with deep cracks and other serious flaws. Sometimes it's difficult to do it when you have spent money on them. Most of the crushed Brazilian agate suffers from these sorts of cracks. All of it was bought on line and I didn't have experience enough to know the risk. Much of it was purchased from respected sellers so I think it is just expected from "crushed" rock.
I really like the Brazilian agate, just need to find a source that hasn't been crushed.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Dec 1, 2016 19:02:15 GMT -5
Those look great to me. Really nice work. Don't give up on difficult rocks too easily. Sometimes the work and effort are worth it. See the link below. Scroll to the very bottom to see the rough brazillian agates then scroll up from there for the end result. The pieces in my post were crushed in a hydraulic crusher and about as bad as it can get. brazillian agates - rough to finishChuck
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Post by 1dave on Dec 1, 2016 19:08:14 GMT -5
Super shine , very well done . I know what you mean about the deep cracks . If you want anything to show for your efforts , rolling them till flawless is not an option . "Perfect" is a matter of opinion.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Dec 1, 2016 19:17:08 GMT -5
Nice job, richardh! You're doing something right if everybody wants to take them home. I recognize quite a few. It's fun seeing the twin to a bunch I have. Keep it up.
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richardh
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 391
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Post by richardh on Dec 1, 2016 19:38:10 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck, definitely interesting to see what you did with them. I have to admit I could definitely be more patient.
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richardh
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 391
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Post by richardh on Dec 1, 2016 19:43:21 GMT -5
Nice job, richardh! You're doing something right if everybody wants to take them home. I recognize quite a few. It's fun seeing the twin to a bunch I have. Keep it up. Thanks for the encouragement. There are definitely some that I am very pleased with and it did feel great that people actually wanted to keep some. They don't know how good they can be. TXRockhunter sent me a couple of his finished ones and I definitely have more to learn. I really appreciate all of the help and encouragement from the people here.
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Post by beefjello on Dec 1, 2016 19:53:23 GMT -5
That's a whole lotta eye candy right there.. nice!!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Dec 1, 2016 20:22:29 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck, definitely interesting to see what you did with them. I have to admit I could definitely be more patient. Are you tumbling without the assistance of a lapidary grinder? Having an wet 80 grit diamond wheel changes the whole game when it comes to tumbling fractured and flawed rough. Chuck
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Dec 1, 2016 21:10:42 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck, definitely interesting to see what you did with them. I have to admit I could definitely be more patient. Are you tumbling without the assistance of a lapidary grinder? Having an wet 80 grit diamond wheel changes the whole game when it comes to tumbling fractured and flawed rough. Chuck This is a good idea. I have a flat lap and all the rocks I pull out get tossed into a bucket. If I can salvage them with some extra grinding they get moved back to the barrels.
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Post by spiceman on Dec 1, 2016 21:25:31 GMT -5
A nice batch flaws or no flaws. Lots of know how, job well done.
You tube has a video on fixing cracks using Hot Stuff a super glue but very thin. Three types red bottle yellow or green...thin, med. thick, very thick. Give it a try, it works for me. Also, a thin clear coat of finger nail polish worked, base coat. Only tried on two rocks so far.
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richardh
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 391
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Post by richardh on Dec 1, 2016 22:55:23 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck, definitely interesting to see what you did with them. I have to admit I could definitely be more patient. Are you tumbling without the assistance of a lapidary grinder? Having an wet 80 grit diamond wheel changes the whole game when it comes to tumbling fractured and flawed rough. Chuck Chuck I had a tile saw that I could so some shaping with but for some reason it caught on fire and no longer works so I am just using rotary tumblers.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Dec 1, 2016 23:32:33 GMT -5
I would love to have the pre-grind capacity also richardh . All I have to work with is the HF tile saw. If you can manage to score one for Christmas, you'll be back in business. It would be easy to say just leave them tumbling until they are flawless, but I know that you aren't rolling near the volume that some of us are and that wouldn't be very productive for you. Just try to be discerning about what is rolling at any given time. Don't waste space on something difficult now if it can be saved for a future time when you may have more capacity. The tile saw is good because you can slice up rocks, smooth the edges and tumble quickly. Make that a priority.
Also, about the rocks you pull because they have major flaws. Or, even better, you discover that you have heavily fractured rock before you put it in the barrel, go ahead and break those up with a hammer and chisel. Hopefully, you'll get some decent size pieces, but even if you end up with small bits, they are useful. Use those instead of pea gravel or ceramics in the course grind. They can stay for a while, then move on before they grind to nothing. Those pile up and make for a fun collection to look at. Sort of a running history of all the types of rock you've tumbled. Gifted in a small pouch, they will give a person lots to look at.
And by the way, your photography is spot on. I like the arrangements.
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Post by pghram on Dec 2, 2016 17:40:19 GMT -5
Great batch, you should be proud of those.
Peace,
Rich
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Post by txrockhunter on Dec 2, 2016 18:41:28 GMT -5
Richard, I think those turned out really well! Great shine & the photography is fantastic! Just like anything else.....evaluated experience and the desire to improve will take you a long way! Keep'em coming!
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Post by wigglinrocks on Dec 2, 2016 19:14:16 GMT -5
I've been watching your progress since you joined the forum , well before I joined . And I have to say , you have made tremendous progress since then . You really want that tumbling championship don't you . Keep moving forward like you have and you'll get there .
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Post by MrMike on Dec 2, 2016 21:05:25 GMT -5
Super nice batch Richard. I would be thrilled with those.
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dottyt
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 305
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Post by dottyt on Dec 3, 2016 3:03:46 GMT -5
Those look great!!! I don't see a thing wrong with the photography either. My fav is the red, black and yellow one in the middle of the third photo. Good to see that you are back to tumbling! If you were out here you could donate your cracked but colorful or shiny rocks to my club who gives them free to kids at the show and get some free grit in exchange!
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