geoff59
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2022
Posts: 280
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Post by geoff59 on Oct 22, 2023 10:31:53 GMT -5
Saw chips, breakage chips etc. If you’re wondering if chips are worth the effort, maybe this will help you decide. The decision to use small chips instead of ceramics is one each of us has to make. For me it depends on what I am tumbling. Sometimes I use ceramic pellets only. Sometimes I use chips only. But usually I mix them together. They are a bit of a chore to separate out of a finished load however, requiring some time and patience. Your kids are good at it (hint there!) if they’re still young. Come to think of it, even if they’re older now, they’re still good at it 😀 This is what you get when all is done. I set up often at craft fairs, or similar events, and I always bring a full bin of polished chips along. sometimes I wish I’d brought 2 bins (quart+ sized food storage containers) I use a coffee scoop and charge $2 a scoop or 3 for $5, and I sell a lot of chips. I use snack sized baggies for the customers, who I let scoop their own. In addition I have a couple of younger, just starting out jewelry designers/creators who sell their creations, and I allow these 2 teens to sort through the chips as they want to, finding themselves matching stones for earring studs or the other shiny trinkets they make.
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Post by vegasjames on Oct 22, 2023 12:19:20 GMT -5
I use chips for fill then the polished chips can be put in vials or used in crafts.
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,595
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Post by dillonf on Oct 22, 2023 14:30:50 GMT -5
Those look great!
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chris1956
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2022
Posts: 1,258
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Post by chris1956 on Oct 22, 2023 18:51:21 GMT -5
They look like they really rounded and polished well. I have started doing the same with mine lately.
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pebblesky
fully equipped rock polisher
Purchased another UV mini bowl for tumbling
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,442
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Post by pebblesky on Oct 22, 2023 19:26:58 GMT -5
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 22, 2023 19:47:31 GMT -5
geoff59 - That's a picture that oughta convince a bunch of people it's worth it! That would be an awesome picture to have a puzzle made out of it! Loved what you do with them too!
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dshanpnw
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2020
Posts: 896
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Post by dshanpnw on Oct 23, 2023 8:03:39 GMT -5
I thought I might be nuts for tumbling my chips, but now I'm glad to see I'm not the only one. I filled small bottles and put them in our club's silent auction. I do not use them for filler however. I am currently tumbling some in a 12# barrel and after the first two stages I noticed the volume went well below 3/4 so I used ceramic media to fill it, that will be a chore to sort. Also, I do find some very good quality stones when they're done just like the two teens looking for gems to make jewelry with. Thanks for sharing.
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Chips
Oct 23, 2023 10:27:06 GMT -5
Post by Starguy on Oct 23, 2023 10:27:06 GMT -5
Now you’re cooking with fire. I always wondered why anyone would use ceramic media. Why purchase a 12 pound tumbler then fill it half full of (expensive) ceramics. Often, small agates can be found for reasonable prices.
Your chips and smalls look great. They definitely take a while during cleanouts though.
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johnthor1963
starting to spend too much on rocks
Cattle dogs rock
Member since June 2023
Posts: 139
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Chips
Oct 27, 2023 17:50:00 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by johnthor1963 on Oct 27, 2023 17:50:00 GMT -5
Wow , what are you talking about those look amazing for scrap and cuttings. You nailed it perfectly done from what I can tell looking at the pictures you posted. I’m almost in tears laughing and thinking I’m stressing over rocks I paid for and you used left overs. Double tap I’m out. Those are fantastic and well worth the effort you put into them so cool can’t wait to see your next batch. Thanks so much for sharing loved them
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ctxtumblebug
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 56
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Chips
Oct 29, 2023 0:20:36 GMT -5
Post by ctxtumblebug on Oct 29, 2023 0:20:36 GMT -5
I use chips as filler too and they come out quite nice. I also use small pieces of Llano River quartz, chert and those 5lb jars of small river rocks that are available at most garden centers such as Lowes or Home Depot. The rocks in those 5lb jars are just the right size for filler and a good number of them turn out really nice.
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Chips
Oct 29, 2023 6:02:19 GMT -5
Post by vegasjames on Oct 29, 2023 6:02:19 GMT -5
Wow , what are you talking about those look amazing for scrap and cuttings. You nailed it perfectly done from what I can tell looking at the pictures you posted. I’m almost in tears laughing and thinking I’m stressing over rocks I paid for and you used left overs. Double tap I’m out. Those are fantastic and well worth the effort you put into them so cool can’t wait to see your next batch. Thanks so much for sharing loved them I see you have a heeler fur baby. I do too. This is my little girl Jax.
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Post by vegasjames on Oct 29, 2023 6:07:44 GMT -5
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Post by vegasjames on Oct 29, 2023 6:13:03 GMT -5
Some of my tumbled chips.
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dshanpnw
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2020
Posts: 896
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Post by dshanpnw on Nov 3, 2023 21:59:00 GMT -5
This is my 12# barrel of chips that finished today.
ceramic media removed
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Chips
Nov 3, 2023 22:11:20 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Pat on Nov 3, 2023 22:11:20 GMT -5
I’m glad the world has tumblers. Shiny rocks make me happy.
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johnthor1963
starting to spend too much on rocks
Cattle dogs rock
Member since June 2023
Posts: 139
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Chips
Nov 4, 2023 7:29:25 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by johnthor1963 on Nov 4, 2023 7:29:25 GMT -5
Vegasjames she is beautiful there a great companion
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