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Post by frane on Aug 17, 2008 15:14:39 GMT -5
This is more of the chipped, re tumbled stones (girasol opal, citrine, amethyst. rose quartz and garnet). These were in worse shape than the first group so I put them in a separate load. A lot are still chipped (old chips) but much better than they had been so I decided they were done holding space in the tumblers. I started them over for a week, went though all phases only I added pellets and sugar. They seemed to stop chipping after that. I used cerium oxide for the polish.  Thank you for looking, Fran |
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Aug 17, 2008 15:32:39 GMT -5
Wow! That is some very nice tumbles. I have never tried any of that material before. I think you progressed them perfectly...cuz the shapes areso smooth and rounded.
Steve
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chassroc
Cave Dweller 
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Aug 18, 2008 7:56:30 GMT -5
That's a great tumble of some very difficult material
csroc
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Post by frane on Sept 1, 2008 14:55:14 GMT -5
All in all, I would say I ran them in the following:
60-90 grit for 4 weeks, recharging/changing about every 5 days
120-220 for 8 days, recharged once.
500 for 1 week
Aluminum Oxide for 5 days.
Like I said, there were chips:
I started at the 60-90 for 7 days recharged after 3. I then added 4T sugar and 4T pellets when I recharged.
120-220 for 8 days recharged on day 4. Also used 6T of sugar and 6 T pellets from the start
Borax Wash
7 days 500 grit and 8T sugar and 6T pellets
Borax wash
Polishing barrel with Cerium Oxide polish 2T, 8T sugar and 6T pellets.
The next load, I will start with just the 60-90 grit and about the 2nd or 3rd week, start in adding the sugar and pellets. It took a lot longer due to the chips that kept forming and waiting for them to work themselves out.
Hope that helps!
Fran
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tombodc
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2008
Posts: 88
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Post by tombodc on Sept 1, 2008 15:50:58 GMT -5
Newb question! Can I ask why the sugar?
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Post by Condor on Sept 1, 2008 16:08:16 GMT -5
They came out great. The way you got them to shape is very impressive. Great job.
Condor
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Post by frane on Sept 1, 2008 18:04:54 GMT -5
Sugar slows down the action a little and helps the grit stay on the stones, or that is what I heard. It seems to work. I wouldn't use it in the beginning of any tumble though. If you have natural matter on the stones, sugar would help to cause gas in the tumbler and blow the lid off. I haven't had that problem since they tumble at least a week before I add it.
Fran
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Terry664
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2005
Posts: 1,146
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Post by Terry664 on Sept 1, 2008 20:56:51 GMT -5
Great looking tumble, beautiful shine.
Terry
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181lizard
Cave Dweller
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
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Post by 181lizard on Sept 1, 2008 22:10:28 GMT -5
Fran... those turned out real nice! It shows how patient you were. I've done topaz (clear,yellowish & blue) & they came out pretty well. The citrine I was dissapointed in cause it was too small of rough to begin with & almost dissapeared...sheesh. Then I've done some amethyst. It turned out ok...no great shakes. BTW...you know your amy is called chevron...don't ya?   batch of topaz. |
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181lizard
Cave Dweller
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
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Post by 181lizard on Sept 1, 2008 22:11:17 GMT -5
oopps...I picked a crappy pic!
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Post by Noosh9057 on Sept 2, 2008 14:20:34 GMT -5
WOW very very nice!!!!!!
Roger
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