Lake Superior agates?

Brent noticing nice landscape pebbles Member since June 2007 Posts: 84	Lake Superior agates? Feb 4, 2008 23:53:32 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Brent on Feb 4, 2008 23:53:32 GMT -5 Is there any special details on how to to tumble a batch? do I need to cut of the ugly crust? Sure would appreciate any help. Thanks

Cher
In Memoriam

Tumbling is addictive - Resistance is futile - You will be assimilated

Member since August 2004
Posts: 14,072

Lake Superior agates? Feb 5, 2008 1:38:33 GMT -5

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Post by Cher on Feb 5, 2008 1:38:33 GMT -5

I never do, I just tumble them. They do take some time since most of them have vugs (holes/pits) so it can take awhile to get past that. If they are too deep, I usually take my dremel and carve them out some. They do take a beautiful shine, though often have fractures. I really enjoy tumbling them, you will too.

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lsmike
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Maxwell's demon lowers tumbling entropy

Member since January 2007
Posts: 468

Lake Superior agates? Feb 5, 2008 11:31:12 GMT -5

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Post by lsmike on Feb 5, 2008 11:31:12 GMT -5

No special steps or substances are needed-since Lakers are hard you should always be able to get a very good polish.I like to use a micron sized aluminum oxide pre-polish and a sub-micron a.o. polish such as Rapid Polish #61,TXP from Mn. Lapidary or Reynolds from Diamond Pacific.
Whether to grind and or cut the crust is a personal choice made by examining each stone.There is quite likely to be more nice color and pattern under it,but sometimes a rock will look good with a poished area and a more natural one.Cher is right about having to run them a long time[ in 60/90 with re-charging] to get them smooth,but grinding or cutting will hurry the smoothing.
P.S. a viratory tumbler with a good amount of small stuff will polish right into the vugs.Good luck!Mike.

jeremy starting to shine! Member since May 2007 Posts: 28	Lake Superior agates? Feb 14, 2008 17:07:12 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by jeremy on Feb 14, 2008 17:07:12 GMT -5 My crrent 15# batch was roughed tumbled for 60 days. They are now pretty dang nice with most of the crust, holes, cracks ground away. Really nice for tumbling.

Brent noticing nice landscape pebbles Member since June 2007 Posts: 84	Lake Superior agates? Feb 17, 2008 23:13:53 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Brent on Feb 17, 2008 23:13:53 GMT -5 Which is the best for tumbling Lake Superior agates, vibrating or roller type?

Tonyterner gets rocks for Christmas Cuttin', cabbin' and havin' fun Member since June 2007 Posts: 6,962	Lake Superior agates? Feb 18, 2008 9:10:55 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Tonyterner on Feb 18, 2008 9:10:55 GMT -5 Brent, I have had good success with lakers using either method. I don't do them totally in a vibe though. You need to do the course grit in a rolling tumbler. Vibes don't shape very well.

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rocknrob: That was one heck of a windstorm that thankfully missed me. I guess Seatac almost hit 60mph gusts. I bet those were some fun landings Nov 20, 2024 21:55:16 GMT -5

Post by Brent on Feb 4, 2008 23:53:32 GMT -5

Post by Cher on Feb 5, 2008 1:38:33 GMT -5

Post by lsmike on Feb 5, 2008 11:31:12 GMT -5

Post by jeremy on Feb 14, 2008 17:07:12 GMT -5

Post by Brent on Feb 17, 2008 23:13:53 GMT -5

Post by Tonyterner on Feb 18, 2008 9:10:55 GMT -5

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