frostedoddity
off to a rocking start
Hello from Tampa Bay, Florida!
Member since May 2017
Posts: 8
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Post by frostedoddity on Jun 9, 2017 12:38:56 GMT -5
Wonderful! Hand crafted pieces are certainly a double-edged sword. One of a kind but there can only be one! This is exactly why I feel like I'd have a hard time selling my pieces to people, but I'd make it happen because it's practically a dream to do something you like, make money from it, AND leave a legacy.
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frostedoddity
off to a rocking start
Hello from Tampa Bay, Florida!
Member since May 2017
Posts: 8
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Post by frostedoddity on Jun 9, 2017 12:25:14 GMT -5
Welcome! Did you start out with wood? I'd been thinking about doing that since most wood is JUST a bit softer and more expendable than stone, lol. I can't help you with the saw, but good luck!
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frostedoddity
off to a rocking start
Hello from Tampa Bay, Florida!
Member since May 2017
Posts: 8
|
Post by frostedoddity on Jun 9, 2017 12:19:26 GMT -5
Who's tumbled petrified wood? I'm actually doing a batch mixed with chert and a little granite in my 15 pounder right now. It's one of my favorite materials because some pieces still retain the shape and grain lines of a piece of regular wood, and I actually think it would better compliment these types of pieces to just smooth the edges out a little instead of turning them to round stones. Any opinions on this?
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frostedoddity
off to a rocking start
Hello from Tampa Bay, Florida!
Member since May 2017
Posts: 8
|
Post by frostedoddity on Jun 9, 2017 12:06:44 GMT -5
Sounds like you should invest in a smaller tumbler too..For those delicate materials you speak of.... I actually do have a slower moving 3 pound Thumlers tumbler that I also use, and have thought about using it to experiment with softer stuff. Although, even that has done some damage. About a decade ago I wore a few nice stones into pebbles and bruised/cracked some agates with it. Or course, I've learned a lot since getting back into it. I was probably mixing a few soft pieces with a lot of hard ones, and I don't even remember if the agate material was that good or if I was using the right ratio of pellets, and I always left it running for a week without checking on it. Just gotta push forward!
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frostedoddity
off to a rocking start
Hello from Tampa Bay, Florida!
Member since May 2017
Posts: 8
|
Post by frostedoddity on Jun 8, 2017 17:59:05 GMT -5
I have a Thumler's Tumbler with a 15 pound barrel that moves pretty fast. When I pay money for material, or tumble something workable I found that's a little rarer than usual, I occasionally worry about the material being damaged or wearing away, and this makes me want to check on even material with a hardness of 6.5-7 every three days in the rough grit stage (currently using 60/90). I'm also concerned about tiny internal cracks (bruises) that happen from impact. How often does breakage and impact damage still occur if the tumbler is filled with plenty of ceramic media and plastic pellets? Also how much rock can you expect to lose from start to finish with a rough piece? I heard it's somewhere around 30%. Can very small material be mixed with regular/large? I feel like, unless checked on and separated soon, the very small stuff will wear away before the regular/large sized stuff is ready.
Also, for very round stones I'm guessing the perfect rough is roughly square or rectangular in shape and solid throughout, free of crack and pockets? Does anyone tumble and polish rocks with the intention of retaining some of their original shape? If I have a piece that's thin and long, or oblong, I feel that some of the shape would need to be retained or else it's going to end up at least 1/3 of its original size.
Basically I just want to be able to tell the difference between my mistakes and what's unpreventable. I feel like I have a responsibility to bring out the best in what the Earth made. I want to tumble to create, not destroy.
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frostedoddity
off to a rocking start
Hello from Tampa Bay, Florida!
Member since May 2017
Posts: 8
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Post by frostedoddity on Jun 8, 2017 17:19:10 GMT -5
As has been mentioned, in my experience harder rocks are better to learn with because there's more room for error without damaging them or wearing them away. When experimenting with softer rocks I'd use a medium or fine grit depending on the softness, and check on the rocks in a few hours the first couple times to monitor progress.
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frostedoddity
off to a rocking start
Hello from Tampa Bay, Florida!
Member since May 2017
Posts: 8
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Post by frostedoddity on Jun 8, 2017 16:56:37 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! Just wanted to also mention that I'm in the Tampa Bay area and enjoy experimenting with native materials I have access to, including agatized coral, chert, and fossilized dugong rib pieces.
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frostedoddity
off to a rocking start
Hello from Tampa Bay, Florida!
Member since May 2017
Posts: 8
|
Post by frostedoddity on May 23, 2017 12:14:12 GMT -5
I've been tumbling rocks on and off for most of my life but I've recently got back into it, having the desire to hone my skills and work with new materials. I'd also like to learn about metal working. I know nothing of this but would really like to make my own pendants and rings from various materials I have on hand. Looks like a pretty nice and informed community!
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