timd
starting to shine!
Member since October 2017
Posts: 27
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Post by timd on Oct 5, 2017 14:15:29 GMT -5
Hello, just found this site and joined. Looks like a lot of great information. I've been picking rocks from Lake Superior for years and just have them sitting around the house. I decided to buy a tumbler and start polishing a few of them.
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New
Oct 5, 2017 16:07:08 GMT -5
TheRock likes this
Post by wigglinrocks on Oct 5, 2017 16:07:08 GMT -5
Loads of great information , advice and members here for sure . Welcome from Wisconsin
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Oct 5, 2017 18:59:39 GMT -5
Post by vegasjames on Oct 5, 2017 18:59:39 GMT -5
Welcome from Las Vegas.
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Post by TheRock on Oct 5, 2017 21:23:55 GMT -5
timd From ~Duke in SW Michigan. Look Fwd to grabbing a few Stones from up yer way next Summer so leave me some! Thanks ~Duke
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New
Oct 5, 2017 21:49:27 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Pat on Oct 5, 2017 21:49:27 GMT -5
Not a tumbler, but welcome from California. Lots of tumbling experts here.
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Oct 6, 2017 5:14:22 GMT -5
Post by MrMike on Oct 6, 2017 5:14:22 GMT -5
Welcome from Tennessee!
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timd
starting to shine!
Member since October 2017
Posts: 27
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Post by timd on Oct 6, 2017 7:36:23 GMT -5
Thanks all! Duke, I'll try and save you a few!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 6, 2017 7:42:59 GMT -5
Welcome. Where on Lake Superior are you rock hounding?. I am from lower Michigan but have a cottage in the upper. What type of tumbler did you start out with?
Chuck
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timd
starting to shine!
Member since October 2017
Posts: 27
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Post by timd on Oct 6, 2017 10:10:24 GMT -5
I don't have it yet, should be here tomorrow. It's a Thumler UV10 vibratory tumbler. Most of the rocks that I have picked over the years are somewhat polished from the "BIG tumbler" Lake Superior. We'll see how noisy it really is.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,593
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New
Oct 6, 2017 10:59:08 GMT -5
Post by Tommy on Oct 6, 2017 10:59:08 GMT -5
Welcome Tim! We have some of the best rock tumblers in the world here on the forum (myself not included) so feel free to pick their brains early and often. These guys and gals really know their stuff.
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Oct 6, 2017 20:03:50 GMT -5
Post by gmitch067 on Oct 6, 2017 20:03:50 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern California Timd! The UV-10 is a bit noisy but you can cut that down a little by using a combination of large and small ceramics in your load (80% large and 20% small - using enough to come up almost to the top of the center cone). I have mine in the garage and the neighbors say they can not hear it. After awhile the constant white noise getting into the house becomes quite soothing! Lol!
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New
Oct 6, 2017 20:15:49 GMT -5
timd likes this
Post by Jugglerguy on Oct 6, 2017 20:15:49 GMT -5
Hi Tim. I’m from NE lower Michigan. I try to get up to Lake Superior a couple times a summer, but I didn’t make it up this summer. There are a lot of nice rocks that polish up well up there. I really like unakite and epidote as pretty reliable rocks. If you search for some of my old threads, you’ll find a lot of batches from the big lake.
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timd
starting to shine!
Member since October 2017
Posts: 27
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Post by timd on Oct 9, 2017 6:56:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the info Glenn. I put mine in the basement and really can hardly hear it upstairs. I just started the first batch this weekend so we'll see how it goes. I did notice that I've had to add water several times as the grit starts to thicken and the tumbling begins to slow down
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Oct 9, 2017 11:36:36 GMT -5
Post by gmitch067 on Oct 9, 2017 11:36:36 GMT -5
You will need to check your UV-10 around every 2-3 hours during the 220 grit stage Timd. As the very aggressive grinding progresses, the slurry surrounding the stones will thicken rapidly. My first UV-10 load was a disaster+++ but I learned a lot from my mistakes... I added too much water too fast... or failed to add water in time to prevent the load from freezing up. I lost a lot of sleep.... but had fun! forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/78738/recovery-adding-water-uv-10What type of rocks are you using for your UV-10 load?
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timd
starting to shine!
Member since October 2017
Posts: 27
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New
Oct 10, 2017 6:57:06 GMT -5
Post by timd on Oct 10, 2017 6:57:06 GMT -5
Thanks gmitch! Some jasper, agate, unakite, etc.. Typical Lake superior rock.
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Oct 10, 2017 8:57:31 GMT -5
Post by gmitch067 on Oct 10, 2017 8:57:31 GMT -5
Sounds good.
I started with softer feldspar stones which generated a very thick mud that easily shed water (Amazonite and Moonstone, etc). As I dribbled in water, it did not immediately cut the slurry's consistency... it just rolled off and pooled in the bottom of the bowl eventually flooding the load.
I learned to use a spray bottle to administer the water: 2-4 sprays, then wait for the action to pick up. Repeat this again and again (waiting at least a minute between application) until the cyclonic action is brisk. If you begin to see a puddle forming at the base of the center cone... STOP adding water.
The Agates and Jaspers will generate a slurry also, but not as thick. Your first load should be more easily managed than what I described above, and the resulting shine be more dramatic... your sense of accomplishment will soar!
You made a good choice of stones!
Glenn
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,666
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New
Oct 10, 2017 9:41:21 GMT -5
Post by Fossilman on Oct 10, 2017 9:41:21 GMT -5
Howdy Tim.......Welcome... Your in prime country for some great agate,that's for sure!
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timd
starting to shine!
Member since October 2017
Posts: 27
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New
Oct 10, 2017 12:36:08 GMT -5
Post by timd on Oct 10, 2017 12:36:08 GMT -5
Thanks Fossilman! I like agates but I also like many other types as well. I have a number that I've picked up from lake Superior over the years and still not sure what they are.
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Oct 10, 2017 15:54:24 GMT -5
Post by rockjunquie on Oct 10, 2017 15:54:24 GMT -5
from Virginia. I don't tumble, but it looks like you don't need my help- the tumblers we have are LITERALLY the best. World champions, even. Learn from the best.
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Oct 10, 2017 17:34:41 GMT -5
Post by drocknut on Oct 10, 2017 17:34:41 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Arizona.
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