geoff59
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2022
Posts: 278
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Post by geoff59 on Dec 14, 2022 10:36:32 GMT -5
After week #2 in step 1, we have this: I must say, I am cautiously optimistic at this point! They are looking pretty good to me! There are some fractures and chips, I expected them to happen. But all in all, most of these are starting to take on some good shape. They are all back in the can with water and fresh grit now, and more pellets too, rolling for another 7 days. In a week, I expect to remove some of them. I may need to hand-grind some as well, on specific edges.
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pebblesky
fully equipped rock polisher
Purchased another UV mini bowl for tumbling
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,392
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Post by pebblesky on Dec 14, 2022 11:51:10 GMT -5
They look great!
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hplcman
spending too much on rocks
Just getting into this....
Member since August 2022
Posts: 413
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Post by hplcman on Dec 14, 2022 12:33:01 GMT -5
Those are coming along nicely! Some of them are going to be beautiful when finished! So another week at stage 1 is what's going on?
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geoff59
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2022
Posts: 278
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Post by geoff59 on Dec 14, 2022 12:41:36 GMT -5
Those are coming along nicely! Some of them are going to be beautiful when finished! So another week at stage 1 is what's going on? Yes, they’re back in 60/90 for a 3rd week of grinding.
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 14, 2022 12:47:12 GMT -5
Geoff, those are looking FANTASTIC! Thanks for posting an update. It's fun to watch the progress!!
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lapidarycentral
starting to spend too much on rocks
(Brian Rhode) LapidaryCentral.com - Fueling your Lapidary Addiction.
Member since August 2021
Posts: 209
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Post by lapidarycentral on Dec 14, 2022 19:47:15 GMT -5
Looking great!
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 14, 2022 20:45:12 GMT -5
Wow! Those deserved their own thread. I can't believe how awesome those are and they are already looking pretty sweet. I might need to get some of these. I know you got them on ebay, but how long ago was that? That seller took quite a few hits in feedback for this lace.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 14, 2022 20:48:24 GMT -5
Those are looking really nice! Can't wait to see what they look like finished.
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geoff59
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2022
Posts: 278
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Post by geoff59 on Jan 2, 2023 19:54:58 GMT -5
Sorry for not updating this thread.Well, I’ve had the can open twice more since I last posted, and stupid me I haven’t remembered to take photos.
I am not too impressed with this rock any longer.
Someone earlier, I forget who, mentioned they thought this rock was soft compared to other agates, and I am going to agree with this statement. I am having significant tumbling issues with it, in that a lot of it developed pits (little round holes) where there was no sign of them before. Or, maybe some of those little pits have turned in to craters, as the shaping progresses.
Some of the rocks have ended up undercutting while on the 3rd week of step 1, some of this I was able to correct by moving them to #220 grit. Other specific individual rocks have developed cracks, even though they have been (I thought) well cushioned with smalls or ceramic pellets. 2 weeks ago, I had several rocks I was really looking forward to. Now I have just 3 or 4 that might end up okay. I think this stuff is fragile, especially after a couple of weeks in coarse grit. I keep a tumbling journal, and I think this still might have some good results, if it is babied along as it tumbles. Like using a lot of pellets, the same as quartz. Maybe even more than quartz.
in any event, I do apologize for forgetting to take the progressive photos. I will remedy as soon as is possible!
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Post by orrum on Jan 3, 2023 10:26:27 GMT -5
The story I heard was these agates are on a dirt road. People kept digging the road up rockhounding so it's closed off now and on private property.
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pebblesky
fully equipped rock polisher
Purchased another UV mini bowl for tumbling
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,392
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Post by pebblesky on Jan 3, 2023 11:58:42 GMT -5
Thanks for the update. They look so nice when wet but I am yet to find on etsy/ebay/RTH great tumbles from this type of agate in large quantities.
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 3, 2023 17:45:22 GMT -5
Sorry for not updating this thread.Well, I’ve had the can open twice more since I last posted, and stupid me I haven’t remembered to take photos. I am not too impressed with this rock any longer. Someone earlier, I forget who, mentioned they thought this rock was soft compared to other agates, and I am going to agree with this statement. I am having significant tumbling issues with it, in that a lot of it developed pits (little round holes) where there was no sign of them before. Or, maybe some of those little pits have turned in to craters, as the shaping progresses. Some of the rocks have ended up undercutting while on the 3rd week of step 1, some of this I was able to correct by moving them to #220 grit. Other specific individual rocks have developed cracks, even though they have been (I thought) well cushioned with smalls or ceramic pellets. 2 weeks ago, I had several rocks I was really looking forward to. Now I have just 3 or 4 that might end up okay. I think this stuff is fragile, especially after a couple of weeks in coarse grit. I keep a tumbling journal, and I think this still might have some good results, if it is babied along as it tumbles. Like using a lot of pellets, the same as quartz. Maybe even more than quartz. in any event, I do apologize for forgetting to take the progressive photos. I will remedy as soon as is possible! It was me... The issues you're now having with the rocks are the same issues I had when cabbing this stuff...
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Jan 12, 2023 4:59:20 GMT -5
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