fanatic
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2007
Posts: 233
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Post by fanatic on Feb 10, 2008 9:42:04 GMT -5
Howdy. I'm new too tumbling. I got my hands on some beautiful Ohio Flint. My only experience with flint is on my flintlock rifle so I got a little concerned about the way flint fractures. Are there any special instructions for tumbling flint? Much of it will be trimmed to shape before tumbling and most will be 1 inch or less in size to be used for pendants ans earrings.
Thanx in advance
fanatic
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JEFFD
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2004
Posts: 242
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Post by JEFFD on Feb 10, 2008 10:44:08 GMT -5
Flint is a lot like agate or jasper. It will take an excellent shine.
most preforms won't fracture, it is the ones you break with a hammer that are most likely to show fractures. An extra week or so in rough grit should smooth them up.
Post some pictures when you get them done. Before and after picts are always fun.
Lots of people here that are most helpful if you have questions.
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fanatic
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2007
Posts: 233
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Post by fanatic on Feb 11, 2008 6:26:27 GMT -5
Thanx for the advice JEFFD. Being a newbie, this forum has been nothing less than outstanding for bringing me up the learning curve.
I can see how this hobby is going to grow and grow for me. I like prospecting for gold and got interested in the rocks that I was finding. I started innocently with a single 3 lb tumbler and some ebay rocks last fall. It was more of a curiousity purchase than anything else. Since then I've added another tumbler with 2 - 3 lbs barrels, a Work Force saw, and a good supply of rocks from various places. Built a bench over the weekend. Another coat of paint and I'll get everything all set up. I'm anxious to start working with the WF saw.
I'll start keeping picture records of my progress as well.
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Post by connrock on Feb 12, 2008 4:52:13 GMT -5
Hi,
I've tumbled a lot of flint from Ohio and it is amazing material! It gives off a shine that is incredible.
I have large hunks of it and the scraps from knapping as well.I use the knapping chips as filler with agate,jasper and other hard rocks.
I've never had to do anything special in tumbling it and it makes some of the most gorgeous cabs around.The Nelly Blue is my favorite but I like it all.
connrock
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Post by Cher on Feb 12, 2008 19:00:07 GMT -5
Welcome fanatic. I have to agree, Ohio flint is just gorgeous when it's tumbled.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,494
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 12, 2008 19:10:46 GMT -5
Yep, Ohio flint is a favorite of mine too. I tumble a few pieces in almost every batch as all the kiddies love those finished stones. Easy to shape and like everyone has mentioned, it seems to take a mirror polish with little effort....Mel
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Feb 13, 2008 18:13:14 GMT -5
Hi Fanatic, Here's a link to an old thread of some Flint Ridge flint I tumbled. I note that it was a straighforward tumble, but took 6 weeks in coarse grind (with weekly cleanings and recharges). But I started with coarse-broken rough (hammer and chisel) -- if you are using pre-shaped pieces you might get away with just one week of coarse grind, two maximum. Have fun! -Don forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=Pictures&action=display&thread=11938&page=1 |
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fanatic
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2007
Posts: 233
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Post by fanatic on Feb 14, 2008 8:55:13 GMT -5
Thanx rollingstone. I looked at the other thread and the bar is indeed set high! Beautiful stuff! 6 weeks in coarse grind, eh? I need more tumblers!
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on Mar 18, 2008 17:32:37 GMT -5
I've cabbed Flint Ridge and it comes out great. I didn't see where anyone said anything about heat treating it to bring out the colors. Now, I'm new to tumbling but I think the process would work the same as for knapping. In knapping, flint ridge (and a lot of other material) is heat treated to make it glassier and easier to flake: in a lot of cases it also brings out the color.
I believe I did read where someone heated it but had problems with it blowing up. I don't have a rock kiln..I do use a turkey roasting pan to treat rock. The roaster method is good to take rock up to around 500 degrees F in a kitchen oven. A couple secrets are use dry sand to modulate the temp, alternate layers of sand and rock with sand on the bottom and top layers, thicker/larger pieces towards the middle smaller ones towards the outside, use small pieces of rock, slabs, pre-forms - not half lb or better chunks, let it soak overnight at 200 degrees to dry out, ramp up the temp 25-50 degrees an hour until you get the temp you are looking for, with flint ridge - hold at 500 (550 if you can) for 6 hours or so then shut off the heat and don't even think about looking in the pan for 12 hours.
Lee
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Pdwight
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 619
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Post by Pdwight on Mar 19, 2008 23:43:29 GMT -5
Heck I want to see the Long Rifle
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Mar 20, 2008 7:39:33 GMT -5
Flint Ridge material is special- It seems to be the ultimate for knapping. I tried to purchase some at the Letchworth Knap In- but those boys wanted WAY too much money for Flint Ridge- I have only tumbled a couple hunks of it- but it does behave very nicely in the tumbler- If I remember correctly It ran for 4 or 6 weeks in course-
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on May 18, 2008 12:37:13 GMT -5
stefan, I have to stick up for the guys that sell Flint Ridge...It's all hard rock mining to get that stuff. All of that material at Letchworth is spalled and heat treated. The secret to cheap flint ridge is to pick up the chips on the tarps. Letchworth this year is Aug 23-24. You can come to Cuba, NY on Father's Day weekend at the Maple Lane RV Park for a smaller knap-in. There will be some nice Mookite and obsidian for sure. I'm going to both. Both Flint Ridge and Mookite are probably best used for cabs considering the price.
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Pdwight
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 619
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Post by Pdwight on May 21, 2008 0:11:58 GMT -5
Flintlock rifles are sooo cool......Love them
Dwight
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tongarocks
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2008
Posts: 4
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Post by tongarocks on May 21, 2008 7:03:33 GMT -5
Hello:
Just curious. Is there anywhere in Ohio where flint can be found?
Thanks
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Post by Michael John on May 24, 2008 13:56:24 GMT -5
Flint is gorgeous stuff, and gaining in popularity. Since you have a WF, why not slice it and cut it into preforms before tumbling? That way, it takes a lot less time to tumble, plus you end-up with 3 pounds of beautiful pieces to make into jewelry, not just shiny nuggets that never really serve a purpose or get much notice or attention.
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Post by deb193redux on May 25, 2008 0:52:34 GMT -5
I picked up 160lbs on the surface and in loose dirt in pits at a dig in FlintRidge. The secret to good cheap flint is to go where someone had used an excavator to dig some pits. They want 50cents/lb, but so I was glad nto to have to do hard digging. Hey, cabbing grade starts at $1/lb at flintridgeflint.com, so check them out too.
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