tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 31, 2014 15:42:02 GMT -5
I find the same rock here in Illinois occasionally. Never any thing larger than say a golf ball. My favorite self collected rock to tumble, the red and green are so cool, especially the ones with the green veins. I'm guessing they're glacial till.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 31, 2014 8:12:03 GMT -5
Quite the change. Sweet color after the cooking. Should be some very nice tumbles.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 30, 2014 16:49:08 GMT -5
LOL
Edit ... Go for the Juggler shine!
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 30, 2014 16:10:52 GMT -5
Looking good James. Pre-grinding seems like a real good road to take. I'm currently roughing some Snowflake, apache tears, glass and some assorted other obsidian. Glass seems to be a good filler, at least for rough grind.
I should have been done with the roughing already but made a mistake and set myself back 20 days. First 10 days with a recharge and another 10 days went great. After the barrel gassed up after 3 days I added some borax. Three days later slurry got too thick so added a little water. Ran well and the first recharge went well. Sorted and started the next cycle with borax to begin and extra water to head off the thickening. Slurry was nearly all foam and bubbles and the OB came out with micro-pits all over the surface. Extra water no good. Not smooth at all. So back for another cycle, this time as I had the first. Took the last of it out of rough today and it looks fine.
Best of luck Sir! Go for the Juggler!
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 29, 2014 11:43:32 GMT -5
Nice stuff ... very cool of your friend to send those to you.
Looks a lot like the stuff I come across in Illinois.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 29, 2014 11:40:58 GMT -5
When running my first couple vibe batches I followed the tutorial from here on the board. Did a three hour burnish in borax after the polish phase was done. Held out a piece for comparison. I thought the shine was better. Could be just removal of polish film or something else going on. I'll stick to the practice as it definitely does no harm.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 29, 2014 11:37:08 GMT -5
Bummer about the knee. Wish you well and hope for an uncomplicated speedy healing.
As to the extra grit .... In the past I had put 12 tbs. (3/4 cup equivalent) 60/90 in my lortone 6#. 7 days tumbling and the grit was used up. Routinely use 10 tbs. ,lortones suggested formula, and always use up the grit in 7 days. For what it's worth.
In the next couple weeks I plan to start two identical batches in the 6's. In one I'll use the 10 tbs. formula and the other the recharge formula that you have posted. Curious to see which is more efficient.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 29, 2014 11:27:40 GMT -5
Cool!
Gotta try the acid thing on a couple pies I have.
Glad you showed this.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 29, 2014 11:24:18 GMT -5
Nice batch! Where'd the Lakers come from? I believe these were from my local rock shop, I couldn't resist cutting some up to see what was inside! You are lucky to have a rock shop nearby. Closest one to me is over 60 miles and they sell "high end" finished material. I have cut Lakers I purchased online before and they do not disappoint. The Lace in the added photos ... very cool.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 26, 2014 10:27:35 GMT -5
LOL.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 26, 2014 10:20:43 GMT -5
I like them. Interesting to me and maybe better than OK. Of course I haven't seen near as much rock as you .....
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 26, 2014 10:15:01 GMT -5
Lakers are one of my very favorites. You have some really nice and as usual very shiny ones there. They all look great! I have 10 pounds waiting their turn for a go in the tumblers. The larger ones need help. Gotta get a grinder ......
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 26, 2014 10:08:23 GMT -5
You got a lot of nice color there. Fun ain't it?
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 26, 2014 10:06:42 GMT -5
Sweet agates and a fine shine!
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 26, 2014 10:04:24 GMT -5
Nice batch! Where'd the Lakers come from?
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 26, 2014 10:02:23 GMT -5
Beautiful place. Wouldn't mind spending a week there.
FLR ... Funky Looking Rocks ?
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 22, 2014 9:19:27 GMT -5
The last 5 pounds I bought from KN was alright. Most of the pieces were 3/4 to 2 inches and it tumbled up real nice after I trimmed it up on my tile saw. Sorry to hear you got bunk rock.
Rock Shed sells two size mixes. 3/4 to 1 & 1/2 and 2 to 3 inch ...
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 22, 2014 9:11:29 GMT -5
Very nice ring. An inspirational piece ... you should be proud!
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 22, 2014 9:08:48 GMT -5
A lot of the coral I find here looks solid to start but has pits and voids inside. I generally try to tumble past the pits but they turn into filler and disappear eventually. I applaud your patience ... all that hand cleaning must be a pain in the rump.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 19, 2014 23:29:46 GMT -5
Great haul. Count me in on the jealous side. I know you'll do them justice and anxiously await seeing them finished.
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