SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Oct 12, 2003 15:58:10 GMT -5
What's the rule for tumbling larger stones? I've got some good solid amethyst chunks, 3-5", that are too nice to smash up. How many can I safely put in a 12 pound tumbler, mixed with a regular load of ~ 1" amethyst for filler? Do I need to worry about the big ones bashing everything else? Any point grinding down the big boyz edges first on a diamond wheel to speed things up?
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Post by docone31 on Oct 13, 2003 7:51:01 GMT -5
I routinely put larger stones in with my small stones. I do not use too many they do not polish well that way. Sometimes I have to run the larger stones twice in the coarse grit. The smaller stones do not seem to shatter, but I do load larger with the larger stones. I run the bbl taller than usual. Grinding down the corners and fractures will control the shape better however. Good luck, amythyst is my birthstone.
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WilliamC
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2003
Posts: 416
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Post by WilliamC on Dec 14, 2003 20:02:01 GMT -5
Greetings All,
I'm also into putting some fist-sized stones into the 12 pounder and letting them go through multiple coarse grind stages to get them shaped enough to polish. It just takes a lot of patience to do the larger stones, but I've finally gotten some pretty big ones ready to polish and they will be worth it when they are done.
WilliamC
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Pdwight
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 619
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Post by Pdwight on Dec 15, 2003 3:48:35 GMT -5
Strange you should ask, I am in the middle of that right now. I have my 12lb Model B loaded with many fist sized rocks and a few smaller ones. I have done 10 days at 40-60 grit. I had to recharge at 3 days...then I finished the first phase...boy did I loose a lot of mass.....that tumbler was 85% full when I started...now 50% at best. They smoother out well and now we are doing the 220 grit phase...I will keep you guys up on it.
Dwight P
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Noah
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2003
Posts: 102
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Post by Noah on Dec 15, 2003 9:57:30 GMT -5
I cheated on my fist shaped rocks...I gave them some shape with a grinder then threw them into coarse for 2 days then, thre them quickly to 220 and then prepolish stage...then polish....Patience is something I still harp about with lol
-Noah-
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