Terry664
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2005
Posts: 1,146
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Post by Terry664 on Dec 1, 2007 20:26:03 GMT -5
Here is latest tumble batch of shapes. 3 weeks 120/220 w/pellets, 1 week 600 w/pellets, 1 week 600 w/pellets, 1 week Tripoli w/pellets, 2 weeks TO/AO mix. I used small driveway rocks to keep flat pieces from sticking, threw back into driveway when done. Number 1 is entire batch, number 2,3, and 4 is glass from horseinaround (Steve). 5 is Granite, Quartz, Hematite, 6 is Agates from Jamie, 7 is ? Agates from Jamie, 8 is picture Jasper, Chroysocolla(sp), Black Agate, PET wood. Hope you enjoy, thanks for looking. I wasn't really happy with this batch, changing formula with next batch.
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Post by akansan on Dec 1, 2007 21:55:55 GMT -5
Is the unicorn a new shape for you? They look good!
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Terry664
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2005
Posts: 1,146
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Post by Terry664 on Dec 1, 2007 22:34:34 GMT -5
Yes it is and you can probably see I need practice to get horn correct. The light blue glass horse head was supposed to be a unicorn but I got too close on inside cut and broke it. Actually my friends 12 yo daughter had her mom ask me if I could make her one.
Terry
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Post by parfive on Dec 2, 2007 1:10:44 GMT -5
Great bunch of shapes and colors, Terry. Blue dolphins are cooooool.
Rich
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Post by midnightrocksi3 on Dec 2, 2007 1:55:15 GMT -5
You know I love the shape idea.. I've tried a few myself but with no success.. so i'm curious what is the ratio that you are using in order for them not to loose their shape and break that's my biggest problem I'm having.. I know I'm doing something wrong but I just don't know what.. .. Those look Great !!! ;D
Roxy
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Post by LCARS on Dec 2, 2007 2:15:28 GMT -5
Wow, the glass preforms really shaped up nicely. Whether or not they took the best shine this time is secondary to the potential they'll have for next time. If I had any advice to offer and anyone asked me for it, it would be to tumble the harder PF's longer in 120/200 and the softer ones longer in prepolish. I have found with my batches anyway, I have the most nightmares in the polish stage if I try to rush the prepolish stage with mixed stone. I'm just starting to tumble preforms myself but I am already finding things like 60/90 eats away the shape fast but 120/220 will round off without wearing the shape as much, it just takes a bit longer and needs a recharge half-way through for the harder stuff. I can't wait to see what my first slabbies and preforms are going to look like when they're finally done. I've been wanting to do the fish and general preform experimenting thing for a while but I doubt I will get any done before warmer weather returns in spring. My challenge is going to be righting the cuts because the workforce cuts deeper at the bottom than the top. I will want a bit of practice righting rough cuts to an outline by hand before I want to bust into any expensive slab material. Seeing these nice PF's are an inspiration for me to keep at it though.
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,787
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Post by adrian65 on Dec 2, 2007 2:25:42 GMT -5
Very original work! Cool! I like very much the light blue cross and dolphin.
Adrian
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Dec 2, 2007 8:44:10 GMT -5
Excellent tumble! You got some REAL cool shapes working there- Keep up the good work!
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Post by BuiltonRock on Dec 2, 2007 9:21:13 GMT -5
very nice batch john
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Terry664
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2005
Posts: 1,146
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Post by Terry664 on Dec 2, 2007 9:59:06 GMT -5
Roxy, Believe it or not almost all of my breakage, comes at the saw or grinder, I have only had 2 pieces break in the tumbler. One just broke, the other had a minute crack when I started. I use rounded filler rock, most already tumbled, lots of pellets, and I only put about 1/4 barrel of shapes. This keeps down the over shaping and cushions load. I have done about 400-500 shapes so far. Breakage while sawing or grinding is usually caused by small cracks I don't notice when I am in a hurry, I usually use a jewelers loupe to check slab closely for cracks before I draw and cut shape, sometimes I just move a little fast and knock off fin of a dolphin, or horn of a Unicorn. My next batch I am going back to 1 week 120/220 w/o pellets, 1 or 2 120/220 w/pellets pellets ( I will check after 1 week), 2 weeks 600 w/pellets, 1 week Tripoli(pre-polish), 2 weeks polish. Lcars: If the formula above does not work, I am going to increase Tripoli stage as well as 600. I made a mistake this time on the red Unicorn, I left it out of 600 stage by mistake, and didn't take it back, checking with loupe it had more scratches than others, but I was on a time frame so I left it, the person liked it anyway. When cutting around fins, crosses, unicorn, and other inside cuts I cut on top of blade to keep cut the same top and bottom, I have cut too far many times. Well that is long-winded enough. Terry
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Post by midnightrocksi3 on Dec 2, 2007 11:55:05 GMT -5
Well Thanks for the advice guys.. Trust me.. I need all the help I can get.. And I think I see my problem.. thanks again..
Roxy
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