Mazanec
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2004
Posts: 355
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Post by Mazanec on Jul 14, 2004 10:56:41 GMT -5
Any comments on doing this mineral, before I start my third load?
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Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Banjocreek on Jul 14, 2004 11:59:49 GMT -5
I've never had any problems with it. The initial shapes are usually pretty good, so I run about 2 weeks in 60/90; recharge after 5-7 days. 1 week in 120/200 1 week in 500 1 week in 1000 1 week in Cerium Oxide Bingo! I try to keep water to just below the top layer of rocks, and do a final rinse with a tablespoon of borax, some extra pellets and a little more water, for about an hour.
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Post by krazydiamond on Jul 14, 2004 15:36:34 GMT -5
i've done some, a nice wholesome stone. i did find, as per Banjo, that they turned out a little better with a week longer in the coarse grind.
KD
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Mazanec
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2004
Posts: 355
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Post by Mazanec on Jul 17, 2004 9:13:24 GMT -5
Thank you. I have received my shipment, but Dave is on vacation, and then I go on vacation (in Pennsylvania), so I will wait until about August 6 to start my load, in case something goes wrong (like a broken belt). Besides, I'm a little pressed for time now.
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Mazanec
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2004
Posts: 355
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Post by Mazanec on Aug 7, 2004 3:34:16 GMT -5
Well, I've started the load Friday. I'll let you know how it goes. The "heartbeat" is hardly noticable, and I have a small fan cooling the motor (really cools it a bit).
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Post by Noosh9057 on Aug 7, 2004 8:31:26 GMT -5
I am looking forward to tumbling this stone also. Roger
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Post by cookie3rocks on Aug 7, 2004 14:25:26 GMT -5
I'm tumbling some now,about to go to 120/220. Have had trouble with cracks, don't know why. I'm doing a mixed batch but it's all quartz cookie
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Post by krazydiamond on Aug 7, 2004 15:48:39 GMT -5
any of the adventurine i've done is very prone to internal cracks and general flaws. maybe it is the quality of the original material and some does better than others?
and you know the funny thing, they seem to look ok when i first take them out of the final cycle and it's like they "dry out" and cracks seem to show up a few days later. is this my imagination?
KD
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Post by cookie3rocks on Aug 7, 2004 20:31:44 GMT -5
No, KD, I have in fact been letting these rocks completely dry before restarting them just too make sure. I've dremeled the surface cracks out of some of them. And your right, some of them are not cracked at all. Go figure cookie
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Mazanec
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2004
Posts: 355
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Post by Mazanec on Aug 12, 2004 13:50:54 GMT -5
Recharged my tumbler today. Forgot to add the grit and had to open/reclose it (sheesh). The stones are pretty good, but some have shallow pores. Thin ones are translucent on the edges, and some of the stones have a distinct reddish cast. I'll look again in 5 or 6 days.
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Mazanec
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2004
Posts: 355
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Post by Mazanec on Aug 16, 2004 11:31:33 GMT -5
Should I check for cracks (letting them dry) in case they hold grit when I finish the course grit? Or do I wait for after the fine grit or the polish?
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Post by cookie3rocks on Aug 16, 2004 19:01:13 GMT -5
I'd go ahead and check. If theres grit stuck in the cracks, put them through a borax or pomolive cycle for a few hours to help get it out. Coarse comes out easier than the other grits.
cookie
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Post by krazydiamond on Aug 16, 2004 19:31:45 GMT -5
be very careful not to rub your eyes at anytime when changing, charging or checking barrels, one little piece of grit can really irritate your eye big time.
sometimes i use an old toothbrush to clean the grit out too......but the borax cycle has been a good tip i learned in here!
KD
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Post by cookie3rocks on Aug 16, 2004 20:58:15 GMT -5
First I tooth brush and/ or nail brush (stiffer) then borax.
cookie
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Mazanec
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2004
Posts: 355
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Post by Mazanec on Aug 19, 2004 10:52:05 GMT -5
They all seem to be cracked or pored. I rinsed them off and I'll fine grit and polish them to use as giveaways and such. Next time, I will pick something less likely to have such problems...
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Post by creativeminded on Aug 20, 2004 12:18:41 GMT -5
I am tumbling Aventurine, Rose Quarts, Sodalite, and a few other verious stones and they are looking great, I almost didn't have to put them in the Cerum Oxide, but I did anyway. This is my process. 2 weeks in 60/90 1 week in 120/200 1 week in 500 1 hour in borax 1 week in Tripoli 1 hour in borax 1 week in 1000 1 hour in borax 3 days to a week in Cerum Oxide, depending on if I remember to, or have time to take them out after 3 days. I did my last batch like that and got beautiful results. Tami
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Mazanec
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2004
Posts: 355
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Post by Mazanec on Aug 23, 2004 14:21:21 GMT -5
Well, I did the two weeks in 60/90, and the stones shrack noticably but were still pocked. I'll go back to flint next time, that worked fine on my first load.
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JKowalski33
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 451
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Post by JKowalski33 on Aug 23, 2004 18:45:36 GMT -5
I am a little confused with the borax, what is the purpose of it and how much is needed say for a 3# barrel? -Jackson
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Post by Cher on Aug 23, 2004 21:47:10 GMT -5
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JKowalski33
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 451
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Post by JKowalski33 on Aug 24, 2004 0:59:57 GMT -5
Thanks, but that just says to use ivory soap shavings to help clean betweem steps. what does borax do though, or is it for the same purpose? -jackson
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