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Post by gaetzchamp on Jan 30, 2005 2:19:01 GMT -5
I've got some pretty cool local river rock (I've posted the picts in the photo section) in the 4lb vibe right now. I've left some pretty big hunks intact, but notice the load is not quite tumbling as my first load of quartz. I'm wondering if the larger pieces are just a little too big.
What's your rule of thumb for size?
thanks in advance,
Gaeter
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Jan 30, 2005 23:20:36 GMT -5
I tumbled a large rock last year almost by itself I put a few small pebbles in with it so it could have something to work against so I guess it depends if the rock will fit in the barrel with some small stock and still tumble. I had to work with the rock I did as I had to big of small stuff and it got stuck.
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Post by mrbrett on Jan 31, 2005 10:50:58 GMT -5
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Post by connrock on Jan 31, 2005 16:29:47 GMT -5
The vibe units are the same as the rotary as far as a "mixed" size load.If you try to use only large rocks there is very little surface contact between them. If I remember right you have a Lot-O-Tumbler.You can only put 1 or 2 larger rocks in a load at at one time.If you want to just polish large rocks you'll have to throw in the smallest pieces you have for a filler. You can use "junk" or you can kill 2 birds with one stone. When you break up your rough save all the small pieces down to the size of an eraser on a pencil.Keep saving them(as long as they are the same hardness) until you get enough to use as a filler with the large rocks.Run the whole load right through polish and save all the tiny stones to put in bottles to give as gifts. I have bottles that range from the size of 1/2 of your pinky up to 1 qt canning jars.The problem is I don't have rocks to fill them with right now but i'm working on it!! LOL You can also save the larger pieces of your polished broken rough for making gem trees. I don't throw ANYTHING out.I have several strainers of different sizes that will let me even keep the sand from each grit change during the cycle. Lets say you buy 10 lbs of amozonite rough that you have to break up. Break the rough in and on something that will capture everything right down to the dust. Take the pretty green/blue dust and put it into very tiny bottles!!Do the same with red jasper or blue lace agate,,,,etc.Before you know it you'll have quite a few bottles of pretty,colorful sand and dust.I take the "blah" sand and just keep it in a large clear plastic bottle for the heck of it. Why throw it out????You paid for it!! Tom
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jan 31, 2005 19:24:09 GMT -5
TOM- LMAO- I have a load of Ocean Jasper chips in the kiddie tumbler right now- everthing its about the same size as an eraser! It has been going for a week and a half and it is looking good- I figure that I should have almost a baby food jar full when it is done (I bought 2nd and 3rds so I expected a lot of chips).
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Jan 31, 2005 20:34:58 GMT -5
the little chips is what I ended up with in with the big rock and it turned out OK. experiement
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Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Banjocreek on Jan 31, 2005 22:19:48 GMT -5
Sounds to me like everything ended up with How SMALL is too SMALL. Is this the direction things go when through a casual indiscretion the whole forum gets turned over to Mark for a mere pittance in order that some former Administrator named Andy can continue to finance his habit? Is this what it has come too?
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Post by gaetzchamp on Feb 1, 2005 1:50:21 GMT -5
Ok Connrock, you had me fishing thru the trash this eve looking for all the remains. Was only able to salvage about a 1/4 cup of small pieces. Thru them in and they are happy to be w/ the parent rock I'm guessing.
I hope it was worth it.
Gaetz
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Feb 1, 2005 12:45:31 GMT -5
I have a jar labeled scrap crap on my work bench- I throw in every thing that even resembles a rock- Figure one day I'll do something with it- or maybe just throw it in the driveway
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Post by mrbrett on Feb 1, 2005 15:39:20 GMT -5
I have done the same with all my small cut-off scraps. I toss them in a small bucket for later use.
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Feb 7, 2005 17:04:03 GMT -5
I save every miniscule grain from every load.
Every scrap is sent to a highly efficient cutting factory in Sri Lanka.
They cab or facet every piece, down to 1/64 of an inch, which sell for $15 per hundred.
Those Sri Lankan kids have great eyes, I don't know how they do it.
SirRoxalot
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