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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 18, 2017 20:01:45 GMT -5
I never really learned how to rotary tumble before getting my Lot-O. In fact, I got my very first batch of rocks (granite) to the 120/220 stage in my Lortone 33B and then bought a Lot-O. Impatient I guess. When new folks show up here and start asking questions, I never feel confident answering their rotary questions past the first stage. So this is my second or third rotary batch ever. They spent three weeks in polish. I didn't do a 1000 step, but maybe I should have. For the most part, I think they turned out about as good as my Lot-O batches. Where I noticed a difference is on flat surfaces. I have a few small slabs in here and they don't look great on the flats. I'm sure these would have shined up nicely in my lot with enough ceramics. These had plastic pellets at every stage, as that's what seems more popular with the rotary tumblers here. The rounded rocks turned out great. Any tips would be appreciated. I tried to get a picture of a bad flat, but it's sort of hard. It almost looks like this one needed more time in the rough grind, but I ran it as usual there. To the naked eye, the flats almost look like they have water spots. I tried wiping them off, but they don't wipe off. Anyone know what kind of rock this is? Is this a Montana agate? I know that these are Montanas.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,179
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Post by jamesp on Jan 18, 2017 20:42:48 GMT -5
Cool beans. Rotary success. Hat's off to Rob.
Like the Montana boomerang
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 18, 2017 22:25:54 GMT -5
My picture jasper sometimes looks like your "bad flat" example. And that is using my Lot-O. I think this is a great batch. Love the Montana group.
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Post by spiceman on Jan 18, 2017 22:50:20 GMT -5
Did you see the rock in the middle upper left side top with the big crack? I don't either, they all look great. Keep it up. Nice rocks
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Post by captbob on Jan 18, 2017 22:58:36 GMT -5
Nice batch Mr. Rob - for a rookie! Gonna say this is a birdseye rhyolite.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jan 19, 2017 14:24:18 GMT -5
A dual threat tumbler. Rotary/Vibe, makes no difference to this guy. Same wet shine as usual. I like that first solo pet wood and the Montana group. Thanks for sharing.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Jan 19, 2017 19:40:55 GMT -5
For someone who never learned rotary , you sure are doing a great job of faking it . Nice tumbles .
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Post by pghram on Jan 19, 2017 22:43:47 GMT -5
Great tumble, I second the bird's eye id.. I prefer ceramic or pea gravel to plastic pellets in the rotary.
Peace,
Rich
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 19, 2017 22:54:03 GMT -5
Great tumble, I second the bird's eye id.. I prefer ceramic or pea gravel to plastic pellets in the rotary. Peace, Rich Thanks for the ID. You too, Bob. Why do you like ceramic better than plastic? Ease of use? Better results? Because you can move it on along with the rocks?
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panamark
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,343
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Post by panamark on Jan 20, 2017 8:17:51 GMT -5
Look good Rob. I think you nailed it on the idea that the vibe does flats extremely well, while the roller does rounds really well.
The one you ask is it Montana - I think might be AZ petwood.
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Post by txrockhunter on Jan 20, 2017 8:51:00 GMT -5
Great Batch, Rob! Love the experiment. Glad you had the patience to follow it through! Love the pet wood and Montanas! I guess you could throw the flats in the lot-o to finish them up? Thanks for sharing!
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 20, 2017 15:29:55 GMT -5
Look good Rob. I think you nailed it on the idea that the vibe does flats extremely well, while the roller does rounds really well. The one you ask is it Montana - I think might be AZ petwood. It doesn't look like the Arizona pet wood that I did for the world rock tumbling competition. This is transparent, but that was opaque. I don't have much other experience with Arizona pet wood though.
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vera
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2016
Posts: 259
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Post by vera on Jan 20, 2017 16:32:35 GMT -5
I love those Montanas - Nice job!
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panamark
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,343
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Post by panamark on Jan 20, 2017 17:10:50 GMT -5
Look good Rob. I think you nailed it on the idea that the vibe does flats extremely well, while the roller does rounds really well. The one you ask is it Montana - I think might be AZ petwood. It doesn't look like the Arizona pet wood that I did for the world rock tumbling competition. This is transparent, but that was opaque. I don't have much other experience with Arizona pet wood though. I have quite a bit that looks just like yours. I think there is a fair range of opacity.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 20, 2017 17:19:56 GMT -5
Ok, Arizona pet wood it is, then! Thanks Mark.
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Jan 20, 2017 18:54:26 GMT -5
Very nicely done! As always, the pet wood should go in my pocket. The fact that you are willing to use a rotary for 3 weeks to get a great polish is notable. I'd have to cheat and go to my vibe for a few days...
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Post by pghram on Jan 20, 2017 19:12:13 GMT -5
Great tumble, I second the bird's eye id.. I prefer ceramic or pea gravel to plastic pellets in the rotary. Peace, Rich Thanks for the ID. You too, Bob. Why do you like ceramic better than plastic? Ease of use? Better results? Because you can move it on along with the rocks? All of the above, but especially because it greatly improved my results. I found them to be just as good at cushioning the stones while giving a superior sanding and polish. Peace, Rich
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jan 21, 2017 18:48:13 GMT -5
Those look really good Rob. I went a few years without doing any rotary batches too but I gambled and rotary polished my world contest rocks. I cheated and did 500 and 1000 in the loto then ran 3 weeks in the rotary polish stage. I was really happy with the results but I hated using some polish.
The other factor to consider is the size of the barrel. If you ran three weeks in a 3 pound barrel the results may vary from 3 weeks in a six or twelve pound with the hex shape that would give more action. I would assume the six and twelve pounders would polish flats better?
Chuck
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 21, 2017 19:59:41 GMT -5
Those look really good Rob. I went a few years without doing any rotary batches too but I gambled and rotary polished my world contest rocks. I cheated and did 500 and 1000 in the loto then ran 3 weeks in the rotary polish stage. I was really happy with the results but I hated using some polish. The other factor to consider is the size of the barrel. If you ran three weeks in a 3 pound barrel the results may vary from 3 weeks in a six or twelve pound with the hex shape that would give more action. I would assume the six and twelve pounders would polish flats better? Chuck Could be a difference, I'm not sure. I wouldn't want to tie up my six pound barrel for that long to find out.
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goatgrinder
spending too much on rocks
Make mine a man cave
Member since January 2017
Posts: 368
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Post by goatgrinder on Sept 5, 2018 18:50:55 GMT -5
Fabulous run batch. Like you I read everything but polish for results rather than experimentation. Nullius in Verba, is the carved in stone motto of the London Academy for a reason.
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