orangetabbys
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2017
Posts: 7
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Post by orangetabbys on Dec 31, 2017 22:22:22 GMT -5
Here is a pic of just a box full of rocks. I do have a lot of sizes so would have to make sure whatever tumbler i get can handle larger rocks? Largest one is 2 1/4" in width. I could exclude the few big ones.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 31, 2017 22:30:22 GMT -5
A lot of that is granite. You can tumble granite, but it undercuts. Undercutting is when softer minerals in the rock wear away faster than the harder minerals. My first batch ever was granite. It turned out pretty good even though it was undercut. I don't pick up granite anymore for that reason though. I see a Petoskey stone on the left side. Keep that one to hand polish with sand paper. You can use wet/dry automotive sand paper. Start with about 80 grit and end with about 800 grit. Then use aluminum oxide polish on denim to polish it. You can get them really shiny that way. Here's one I did by hand: You can also tumble Petoskey stones, but it takes a special technique using dry corn cob media. They don't turn out as nice when tumbled. The Lot-O can take a maximum of a 2.25 inch rock, so your rocks are not too big. I found a picture of my very first batch:
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Post by vegasjames on Jan 1, 2018 1:55:30 GMT -5
Some really nice stones in the bunch. Love the dark spotted one on the right.
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orangetabbys
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2017
Posts: 7
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Post by orangetabbys on Jan 1, 2018 17:34:41 GMT -5
Is there a certain book that is common/favored amongst most people for rock ID?
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 1, 2018 18:45:21 GMT -5
Is there a certain book that is common/favored amongst most people for rock ID? I have Lake Huron Rock Pickers Guide. It’s not very in depth, but it’s pretty good.
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Post by Peruano on Jan 1, 2018 19:58:11 GMT -5
Several rock shops n Great Lakes area have great sites outlining rock id for region. I'll try to append later www.superiortrails.com/rock-hound.html This has info on Lake Superior agates and a good section on how to identify other rocks that look like agates but are not.. Essentially its a basic guide to id of any rocks derived from glacial deposits in northern North America. www.agatelady.com/agatebasics.html Llke the previous link, in discussing differences between agates and other rocks and the various types of agates. Two sites essential for anyone polishing rocks and seeking to identify and understand agates are: www.quartzpage.de/intro.html This is a great source of info on all of the forms of quartz and chalcedony relatives so important in lapidary. snr.unl.edu/data/geologysoils/agates/ This site has a collection of over 800 agates from around the world, but can be searched by geographic area (e.g. agates of Montana or agates from Scotland).
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Post by rmf on Jan 1, 2018 21:01:21 GMT -5
orangetabbys Vib tumblers are made for the rock you have. you may be able to skip the coarse and start with the 220 grit (medium) and get a good fininsh on them. Be sure to use 20% or so of small ( 1/4" - 1/2" granite pebbles) These will help polishe the bigger pieces and cushion to reduce undercuting.
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