lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Sept 9, 2018 13:18:06 GMT -5
I recently posted a thread asking about polishing- I was given so much help from that and from generally snooping around this site. Here's my newest batch of rocks- my 8th total load, and to date my best. Thank you all for the help! This new recipe was a real winner! IMG_4336 and a close up of some favorites IMG_4344
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Aug 22, 2018 0:24:48 GMT -5
ok thank you! I think I was more 30% ish with the ceramics!
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Aug 19, 2018 15:40:37 GMT -5
Hello- I have have a few issues with cracks in the later stages of polishing in LOT-O I've always used the small ceramic media. These are what I use therockshed.com/grit/Sm_Ceramic.jpgThis week I purchased mixed sized media but when they arrived the larger ones are fairly large. They are a mix of the small and this size therockshed.com/grit/Lg_Ceramic.jpgAre these too big to use? They are the size of most of the rocks I polish! Or should I be using much more smaller cermaic than I have been?
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Aug 13, 2018 11:40:21 GMT -5
Thank you!
Yes the imperfections are very visible unfortunately. But they really smoothed up! Going to try carnelian and fire quartz next (different barrels)
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Aug 13, 2018 8:49:06 GMT -5
IMG_3730Thought I would share the final batch! Very happy with them, they are all completely smooth! I did lose about 25% of the batch to little cracks and dings that were not there after the tumble stage so I'll work on that next
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Aug 12, 2018 0:46:30 GMT -5
I have not run any of the Quartz through the Lot-O yet (all my history with Quartz is with a UV-18 vibe). It seems that for a Mohs-7 stone, 1.5 days in 120 silicon carbide grit (220??) is a bit lite. I would recommend extending that out to 2 full days in the Lot-O. I then use AO-500 for 2 days, and AO-1000 for another 2 days (as a pre-polish for both soft AND hard stones... maybe overkill... but I have not been disappointed with the results) As for polish, I use AO-14000 that I got from the Rock Shed. 2 days in that seem to be good for most of the Mohs-7 rocks I have processed. Make sure by first checking a stone or two before terminating the polish stage (reach in and grab a few... wash them off and see if they shine when dry). If still no polish... I then drop back to AO-500 and AO-1000 - for a day each (maybe not necessary, but what the hecK...) - then shift to Tin Oxide polish for 2 days. (Note... Other members have stated that Cerium Oxide does not work well in a Lot-O. Since shifting to Aluminum Oxide AO-500, AO-1000 and AO-14000 runs, I have only had to use Tin Oxide twice.. I am really loving Aluminum Oxide grits!) Hope this helps you. Glenn indeed, very helpful! thank you!
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Aug 10, 2018 20:53:00 GMT -5
ok thank you both! I am using Am Oxide that I buy from the rock shed. I assumed it was 1500 If you got aluminum oxide polish from the Rock Shed, you'll be good to go. From what I gathered from Shawn there, it's around a 13,000 grit product. That'll be fine. honestly I get everything I use from him.
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Aug 10, 2018 20:40:49 GMT -5
this is a great batch of stones. Great job on this
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Aug 10, 2018 18:08:27 GMT -5
ok thank you both!
I am using Am Oxide that I buy from the rock shed. I assumed it was 1500
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Aug 10, 2018 14:03:48 GMT -5
Hello! I have smokey quartz going and this is what I have done so far-
7 weeks in lortone (changed out weekly)
2 days in Lot-O 120 1.5 days in Lot-O 500 1.5 Day in Lot-O 1000
I'll be a full day in 1500 tonight. I'd like to burnish with borax for a few hours tonight and be done as I have to go away for several days. They look about as clear and gorgeous as can be but don't want to skimp on the last step
Is 24hours enough time?
Thank yoU!
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Jul 30, 2018 21:01:35 GMT -5
Sounds like you've already reached a decision, but just to add an alternative opinion - I do break large rocks as grumpybill described to get them small enough to tumble. I tried using a saw to cut out cracks, holes, etc. It did reduce the tumble time considerably, although it added hands on "manipulation" time. But I always felt like the finished product had been adulterated somehow; they never looked quite as natural as those I hadn't trimmed. It was easier to get my head around the longer tumble time than it was to break my OCD preoccupation with the "unnaturalness" of the trimmed rocks. Crazy, I know, but as is often said in here, "They (rocks) only have to satisfy you". Happy tumbling! I like this- rocks should have their own personality. I would like to find a good grinder to smooth out small cavities but I do agree with this
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Jul 28, 2018 10:20:51 GMT -5
interesting! Any idea how slag got on the beach? And of course the real question- can it be tumbled? here are more pictures IMG_3452 IMG_3451
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Jul 27, 2018 21:49:38 GMT -5
Odd question maybe, but what do they smell like? sea water but I'm washing them now
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Jul 27, 2018 21:28:15 GMT -5
Hello! I was "shelling" today on Long Beach Island in NJ this week and found pounds of this stuff. Any idea? Some opinions I've gathered - Lightening strike on sand Coal (jet)? Asphalt The army corps of engineers have been dredging a few miles up and they hit a large Peat vein- maybe that? They are not heavy- I can post more pictures if need be. However gives me the answer would be greatly appreciated! And I can send a few pieces out! IMG_3415
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Jun 11, 2018 17:41:55 GMT -5
Hello! I have a batch of sodalite currently in 120 grit. I shaped them in a rotary and they were all generally smooth. A day in the vibe with 120 and there are considerable amount of tiny cavities and pits.
I’m using the same amount of ceramic media that I always do. Very frustrated!
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Oct 23, 2017 12:57:56 GMT -5
Those are beautiful. Love the tigers eye, nice shine
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Oct 6, 2017 19:49:31 GMT -5
Hi Rick- I can't see the pictures! Where are they hosted?
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Oct 5, 2017 12:23:48 GMT -5
They've been out of stock on that brecciated jasper for quite some time. It was a favorite of mine and I've been waiting for more to arrive. He has very good petrified wood currently. I bought a large amount
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Oct 5, 2017 9:26:05 GMT -5
Lortone 33b! There's still a bunch that didn't make it
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lancemountain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 214
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Post by lancemountain on Oct 5, 2017 0:20:12 GMT -5
Thanks everyone!
Rough is from the rock shed-
3 weeks in 60-90 grit ( cleaned out weekly)
4 days 120 grit 4 days 500 2 days 1000 2 days polish 4 hours borax
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