one80mike
freely admits to licking rocks
@(-_-)@ Princess Leia!
Member since February 2007
Posts: 908
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Post by one80mike on Mar 23, 2008 18:21:43 GMT -5
Gotta start by saying that I am not super happy with thyis batch. A lot of what I tumbled ended up cracked and chipped. Quite a bit of it was already cracked but I ma sure some of it happen during the polish cycle in my Lot-O vibe. Not sure why. I did it the same as every other time. I was thinking I wouldn't post these pics but there are some nice ones in there. So, here they are. Carnelian collected at "the farm" 4 hours from home.    The second lot of polished agate creek agates. I did not find these myself, I bought them as rough nodules and pieces. they are not as nice as the earlier batch due to the cracks but there are some nice patterns.     O yeah, I thought I chuck in a thick slab of agate I had been hanging onto for a while. Again the curse of the cracks made itself known. One side  The other side  Thanks for looking. Any ideas on how to prevent this cracking in the Lot-O would be appreciated. (I had it filled right up, it did not seem to be turn them over any more agrtessive than usual, I had plenty of tiny pebbles in there. Maybe more pebbles next time???) Have a top day. Mike |
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Mar 23, 2008 18:39:37 GMT -5
can you use plastic pellets in a vib? if not what about ceramic ?? just an idea .. I think they look great ...
you really have Carnelian near you ? dang wish I did , I'v been thinking about getting some to tumble.
Thanks for the pictures
Wolf
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Mar 24, 2008 3:03:02 GMT -5
Brilliant rocks and a gloss finish thats outstanding
I use plastic pellets in the vibe
But fracture are are a nusance ,
Jack
Yorkshire UK
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one80mike
freely admits to licking rocks
@(-_-)@ Princess Leia!
Member since February 2007
Posts: 908
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Post by one80mike on Mar 24, 2008 5:23:39 GMT -5
So, the pellets work OK? This could be the answer to all my woes! The instructions said not to...that'll teach me to do as I am told  Mike |
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adrian65
Cave Dweller 
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Mar 24, 2008 5:58:48 GMT -5
The agate creek (wow, what a name!) agates are beautiful! As for the carnelians, I suppose they already had some very fine cracks that popped out better during the polishing stage. You used the same recipe for pet woods and for agate creek agates I suppose, and they came out great.
Adrian
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Post by Titania on Mar 24, 2008 7:27:46 GMT -5
Despite the cracks, the colours in the carnelian and the agate creek agates are fantastic! Can't help ya on the cracking issue...I'm a rotary gal.  |
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Post by Tonyterner on Mar 24, 2008 9:15:50 GMT -5
That's some beautiful material there and you got a great shine. Shame about the cracks. I really haven't had this problem in my vibe so I don't have any suggestions for you.
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Mar 24, 2008 11:04:36 GMT -5
You're saying that slab went in without any cracks?
If so, that is most odd. Any drastic temperature change? I can see how the rocks could drop onto eachother and do damage like that in a rotary, but in a vibe, that makes no sense. Perhaps you need to thicken the slurry or add some small stones to cushion, try a handful of 5mm pieces.
SirRoxalot
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Post by connrock on Mar 25, 2008 4:27:11 GMT -5
Gee Mike you've dropped a bomb on me here! I thought I could answer just about any questions on the LO but you have me stumped! I've done a couple thousand pounds of rocks in mine and have never had a cracking problem.As a matter of fact I'm almost finished with a load of Apache Tears/ceramic media and haven't seen a single flaw thus far.It the "tears" don't crack and chip I don't know what I can say to you about carnelian and agate as I've never used a cushion (pellets,etc) with anything other then slabs (to get good surface contact) and the "tears" or other obsidian. The one possible thing I can think of is that the weights are not aligned and the vibration is too forceful??? I'm throwing my hat up in the air now but maybe a loose bold or broken spring?  ? The only other thing I can think of is that it was the material itself and it's just a coincidence that they both cracked as they were done together? I'm V E R Y interested to see what other LO owners have to offer? conn,,,,fused |
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DeanW
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2007
Posts: 721
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Post by DeanW on Mar 25, 2008 15:36:40 GMT -5
dang wish I did , I'v been thinking about getting some to tumble. Wolf Spam: I've got some, see the trading/sales section. |
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Post by creativeminded on Mar 31, 2008 9:14:03 GMT -5
Maybe some more pellets if you don't like the cracks. In truth on some of the stones I think the cracks added some character to them. They turned out great.
Tmai
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Rockygibraltar
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,404
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Post by Rockygibraltar on Apr 1, 2008 22:49:45 GMT -5
Australian agates are on my top 5 list of favorites. The cracks are a drag but the color and polish is a punch in the face. Very nice.
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Post by Cher on Apr 3, 2008 21:16:30 GMT -5
What a shame Mike to have so many that cracked like that and they were so beautiful too, awesome colors. Those Agate Creek agates are just amazing, real beauties you have there. Hope you find out how to fix the fracture problems, it's so sad when your waiting so patiently only to have them do that.  |
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snivlem
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 167
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Post by snivlem on Apr 3, 2008 21:21:43 GMT -5
I would say use the plastic pellets in the vibe stage, and it should help a lot. They can really slow down the action.
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Post by rockyraccoon on Apr 5, 2008 10:53:26 GMT -5
the only other thing i can think of is the type of polish you used. i had cracking woes using the titanium oxide. it gives the most awesome shine but it was like the rocks turned to glass in there and cracked each other. i moved to another polish even though i hated to give up that shine.
kim
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