Gabriel_GER
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2022
Posts: 229
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Post by Gabriel_GER on Jul 8, 2022 11:56:41 GMT -5
Hi everyone! So... tumbling for a few weeks now. While some stones make it out of the rotary nice, smooth and rounded to be collected for the vibratory stages... quite a few have little nicks and cracks while otherwise being really nice. The obvious solution: Throw it back in the tumbler! Ok, sure. Now I was thinking of first eliminating those "flaws" with something like THIS or THIS an then throw it back in the coarse stage? What do you think? How would you approach it? Any other ideas?
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jimmie
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2021
Posts: 233
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Post by jimmie on Jul 8, 2022 12:05:07 GMT -5
Throw em back in to stage one. Look like softer rocks, should shape up nicely.
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Post by manofglass on Jul 8, 2022 12:22:50 GMT -5
It will take a long time to grind them out In the rotary I use a 50 grit v wheel I bought from www.jadecarver.com
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hypodactylus
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 434
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Post by hypodactylus on Jul 8, 2022 12:39:11 GMT -5
You can throw them back in to stage one, cut them, or grind them. Keep in mind that they will continue to get smaller.
You can also just move them to the next stage if you like them as they are (or you are worried that they are getting too small). It is all in the eye of the beholder.
Also, some rocks have internal cavities or fractures that will never go away with tumbling.
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sendstone
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2021
Posts: 16
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Post by sendstone on Jul 8, 2022 13:15:30 GMT -5
Some of these seem like they would follow the cardinal rule of quality in quality out. I don’t know where these stones where sourced but some of them look like they might not ever shape up, the conglomerate ones in particular. I threw a ton of things in my first batch that I thought looked cool and quickly learned that some material just isn’t worth the effort.
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markb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2022
Posts: 472
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Post by markb on Jul 8, 2022 14:38:53 GMT -5
Hi everyone! So... tumbling for a few weeks now. While some stones make it out of the rotary nice, smooth and rounded to be collected for the vibratory stages... quite a few have little nicks and cracks while otherwise being really nice. The obvious solution: Throw it back in the tumbler! Ok, sure. Now I was thinking of first eliminating those "flaws" with something like THIS or THIS an then throw it back in the coarse stage? What do you think? How would you approach it? Any other ideas? Gabriel, I tried a Dremel approach with the same thought, but in the end it wasn't really worth it because frankly it's time consuming and we are only talking about a bunch of ROCKS here. Now, if they are semi precious stones worth zillions, go for it. Otherwise, it's back into Stage 1 for a redo or out the front door to the collection of other "nopes" lying there. The more you practice this approach, the easier it will become and the better output of rocks you will achieve. Cheers! Mark
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hoolligan1938
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2022
Posts: 253
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Post by hoolligan1938 on Jul 8, 2022 17:31:57 GMT -5
Since I've been researching the "art resin" procedure on here, I have to ask if you have tried to stabilize the rock with the various methods I've found on this site? At a glance, it seems like your rocks would be the perfect candidates for either stabilizing or the art resin coverage. Perhaps someone more familiar with these procedures could come on here and offer an educated opinion. Let us know what you end up doing.
Jim
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Gabriel_GER
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2022
Posts: 229
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Post by Gabriel_GER on Jul 9, 2022 14:25:19 GMT -5
Since I've been researching the "art resin" procedure on here, I have to ask if you have tried to stabilize the rock with the various methods I've found on this site? At a glance, it seems like your rocks would be the perfect candidates for either stabilizing or the art resin coverage. Perhaps someone more familiar with these procedures could come on here and offer an educated opinion. Let us know what you end up doing. Jim Hey that sounds interesting! Never heard of it. Where would I find some info about that? "Stabilizing" rocks sounds really interesting. Well I guess I'll do a mix. Will order a Dremel, but be really selective about which stone to use it on. I really have to get used to simply sorting those out that get chipped, cracked etc... Still: Wanna learn about stone stabilizing.
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hoolligan1938
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2022
Posts: 253
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Post by hoolligan1938 on Jul 9, 2022 17:38:04 GMT -5
I got answers about the stabilizing technique and the art resin coating here on RTH. Check under both searches and you'll probably find the same information I did. Check under Paul Forsythe because he sent me a good formula for coating/stabilizing. I'll do some more checking and see what my posts are under and if I find them, I'll send you the information. I'm not very good at this computer stuff so bear with me.
Jim aka hoolligan1938
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hoolligan1938
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2022
Posts: 253
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Post by hoolligan1938 on Jul 9, 2022 17:52:58 GMT -5
gabe - First off, look up "still looking for help" in the recent posts. Thats me and my question and read ALL the replys. Also check member hummingbirdstones and fencejumper. I believe they were referenced about the procedure for both methods. If you still can't find the answer's you want, make a posting asking for information on both stabilizing and art resin use. I know that if you look up stabilizing rock, there are a couple of very nice and informative videos on the subject. I watched them and found them very good. These subjects, stabilizing and art resin coating, are two subjects that I wish that RTH would make a tutorial video for, or some very knowledgeable member of RTH would find it in their heart to do. Hint, Hint!
Let us know what you find,
Jim (hoolligan1938)
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Jul 9, 2022 20:22:03 GMT -5
Since I've been researching the "art resin" procedure on here, I have to ask if you have tried to stabilize the rock with the various methods I've found on this site? At a glance, it seems like your rocks would be the perfect candidates for either stabilizing or the art resin coverage. Perhaps someone more familiar with these procedures could come on here and offer an educated opinion. Let us know what you end up doing. Jim If you fill the cracks and pits with anything, you will preserve them and they will remain unchanged, while the rest of the rock is treated to the abrasives. The only reason you would prevent the tumbling effect would be if there was a feature that you wanted to keep.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Jul 10, 2022 14:59:34 GMT -5
Not to burst the bubble or discourage you, but most of those rocks are going to struggle to shine. They are softer materials and no amount of grinding or tumbling is going to shine them. THe first rock will take a nice shine on the white quartz band, the black stuff (basalt I believe) is going to look the same as it does now. THe second rock is possibly an epidote, but with those holes in it it will trap grit and cause cross contaminations down the road. The 3rd and 5th rock are a conglomerate and will have some spots that polish and some that don't, provided it survives the tumble at all. THe 4th rock looks to be a quartz based (maybe a rose quartz) That one has the best potential to shine. I also some some garnets in matrix, The crystals will shine, the matrix won't. TThe last rock is a banded sandstone. I have TONS of it in my driveway. A very cool rock that will never shine (I have tried every recipe including running on the cabbing machine to no avail). I would be more selective of your chosen rocks.
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victor1941
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2011
Posts: 1,979
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Post by victor1941 on Jul 14, 2022 15:28:53 GMT -5
I would get them shaped the way you want and then clear coat them with a UV resistant car finish.
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