tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 18, 2014 10:51:03 GMT -5
Wow! Super nice colors. Dittos on what braders asked.
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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 18, 2014 10:48:03 GMT -5
Can't tell you what they are but if indeed hard they will polish.
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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 18, 2014 10:44:39 GMT -5
Labradorite ..... 5 pounds turned I into about 2 pounds during the "coarse" grind. Coarse in quotes because I started with 220 in the rotary. They shaped nicely but were full of fractures. Not from the tumbling, but nature of this particular feldspar I think. There were also lots of tiny pits or spawls on the surface of many of the rocks which never seemed to want to tumble out. I finally said enough is enough and took them through to polish with lots of cleaning between stages. Out of 90 or 100 pieces I got out about 10 that I liked. Having said all that I will roll another batch someday. It's a beautiful stone and I think I have learned some things since my first attempt. A pic of one of my "keepers" flaws and all ....
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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 17, 2014 9:40:25 GMT -5
You may be new to the forum but it doesn't appear new to tumbling. Welcome. Nice looking batch with a good shine. The agates are indeed very nice.
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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 15, 2014 9:33:27 GMT -5
Those are cool. Nice finds.
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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 15, 2014 9:32:19 GMT -5
Yeah ... Put some pics and prices on here. They will sell. Might be interested myself.
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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 15, 2014 9:23:47 GMT -5
Well now .... ya do got a bit of everything there dontcha? Nice! Keep on rockin'....
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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 15, 2014 9:18:50 GMT -5
The pics aren't that poor. Can really see the shine in the first and good color in both. Nice 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 15, 2014 9:14:58 GMT -5
I run mine much like Toad. 60/90 or 80 until shaped to satisfaction. Next 240 for 10 days to 2 weeks. At this point the rocks still look dull when dry however feel smoother than when coming out of coarse. Next 600 for 10 to 14 days. When dry the rocks have what I would describe as a satin finish. Not shiny per say but not dull either. I use AO1000 next for "softer" rocks and rocks that are translucent to transparent. Coming out of the 1000 they will have an "almost shine" when dry. Polish runs two weeks.
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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 14, 2014 11:53:35 GMT -5
I have had good luck in the past when I want extra cushioning by filling the barrel near 80 to 85%. Haven't polished obsidian in a rotary but it worked well with quartz and feldspars. Currently roughing some obsidian and glass in a 12# barrel and the 85% seems to work well. Very little spalling ,chipping or frosting for what it's worth. Good luck!
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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 14, 2014 0:28:01 GMT -5
Mixed batches are a favorite of mine. The cabs , Montanas, and that unknown really rock me. Super tumble! Thanks for the show.
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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 14, 2014 0:24:18 GMT -5
Ouch! There's an old post here somewhere .... The top blew off their tumbler after adding syrup. If I remember correctly it hit the wall several feet away. Rice also is a bad thing to use in a tumbler.
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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 10, 2014 10:00:05 GMT -5
Totally enjoying seeing your progress here. Looking good!
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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 9, 2014 10:51:27 GMT -5
Alaskan rocks .... pretty cool. Like the colors.
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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 9, 2014 10:49:14 GMT -5
Championship quality tumble! Best of luck in the competition.
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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 9, 2014 10:46:20 GMT -5
I have some snowflake, mahogany, apache tears and old glass in rough now. 12 # lortone barrel. The first 10 day run with a recharge and another 10 days went well. Had to burp the barrel several times and added some borax the first time the barrel swelled and needed a burp. As often happens when adding borax the slurry got thick enough that the rocks were sticking to the side of the barrel. A little water added to thin it out a bit and all was good.
After the first 20 days I was able to pull out a couple pounds that were ready for step two. After that things went a little off. I don't have anything to grind out imperfections so I began another rough cycle after a clean out. Since the borax worked to somewhat mitigate the gas issue I added it at the start of the cycle. Trying to avoid a too thick slurry again I started with an extra 1/2 cup of water. Normally in a 12# I use 2 cups water. The extra water was a mistake. I kept getting a lot of foam and bubbles. The obsidian was not smoothing as in the first run. Instead the surface was more like a series of grit particle sized pits. I am about as sure as I can be that the extra water was the culprit.
Another clean out and starting over again. On day three the barrel end was beginning to swell. Opened it up for a burp and checked a few pieces. Looks like the pits are beginning to smooth out, good news at least after losing some time already.
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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 4, 2014 15:48:55 GMT -5
Nice rocks , better story. Good for you and the nephew !
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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 4, 2014 15:39:17 GMT -5
I heard today on NPR that there have been a couple monkeys successfully vaccinated. MSN is also reporting a vaccine coming soon according to the NIH. And the doctor is getting better they say .... that's some good news anyway.
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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 4, 2014 15:29:17 GMT -5
The AO polish is measured in microns and it is 1.5 microns in size. 1.5 microns is equivalent to F17,500. So roughly ten times finer than our 1000 grits. See more here ... forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/post/613555/threadP.S. OCD challenged as well
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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 4, 2014 15:16:58 GMT -5
I have two 33b's, one about 3 years old and one about 4. I have replaced the motor in each. One because I over tightened the belt and wore out the little bronze bushing. The other seemed to be from age. When they wear out they will have a harder time turning the barrel and seem to turn slower.
Your belt is new so it isn't stretched. It could be a little loose. This will keep the barrels from turning also. I adjust my belts on the 33's carefully having already burned my self once. Here's how I do mine ... with the tumbler running full barrels carefully put a hand on one barrel. If it stops easily, unplug and tighten ever so slightly, a little adjustment goes a long way. Repeat slight adjustments until the barrel continues turning when touched.
I also have had too much oil on the bushings. The excess oil got into the motor compartment and onto the belt causing it to slip. rubbing alcohol and a q-tip will clean that up.
I weigh my barrels each week. It is not unusual for me to have 7 to 8 pounds total between the two.
Good luck and happy tumbling!!
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