zmd2008
starting to shine!
Member since August 2008
Posts: 29
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Post by zmd2008 on Aug 24, 2008 12:39:01 GMT -5
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colliel82
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2007
Posts: 664
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Post by colliel82 on Aug 24, 2008 13:36:43 GMT -5
beautiful shine
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randy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 117
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Post by randy on Aug 24, 2008 13:53:08 GMT -5
I have several pounds of Lake Superior Agate coming from Berg's Rock Shop that I am going to use to aid with polishing some garnets that I also bought from them. It looks like I'm in for two pretty cool treats!
I would be glad to hear any hints that might be out there for tumbling the LSA as well.
Randy
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Post by Condor on Aug 24, 2008 14:14:12 GMT -5
Nice rocks and very good shine. How cool that you can collect LSAs on your own. I have some the I've bought from kingsley north and I'm very happy with them.
Condor
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Aug 25, 2008 9:38:18 GMT -5
I've polished a lot of Lakers in the last year. Here is what little I've learned:
1. The 'quartz bombs' (as one author called them), the ones with red outer shells and big quartz crystal centers (the big ones at the top of your first photo) are very difficult to tumble. The quartz crystals chip out.
2. I ordered a 50 lb. bag of coarse grit from Kingsley North. I accidentally ordered 36/100 instead of 60/90. This turned out to be a happy accident because the Lakers are so hard and often so rough that they need an aggressive coarse grind. Rather than several weeks in the first grind with 60/90, I can do it in 1-2 weeks in 36/100.
3. Even with 1-2 weeks in 36/100, I can't get out all of the pits. I probably could continue, but I'd end up with a much smaller rock. The pits don't bother me anyway, since the banding isn't pitted.
4. I used to be tentative about how much I tumbled them for fear of ruining them. I've learned that's hard to do, and when in doubt I run them through coarse again.
5. Make sure you run your barrels 2/3s to 3/4s full. Otherwise you'll get chips and 'hammer' marks.
6. Since they're so hard, you can get a really glossy polish, think mirror-like.
Yes, it's great to be able to find them throughout the state. I look anywhere there is gravel, particularly lakes and streams, and I frequently find one. Wish I had more time to look!
I stopped at the Moose Lake Agate Museum on Saturday. I wish I could find some of the huge ones they have on display! It's really an incredible collection of LSAs.
Chuck
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Post by frane on Aug 30, 2008 8:36:36 GMT -5
I am a new fan to them also! I love the patterns you find in them!
Fran
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Post by puppie96 on Aug 31, 2008 2:37:09 GMT -5
I went through a Laker period a couple of years ago and bought a bunch on ebay. They came out beautifully. I agree with the advice you have already gotten. I'm also surprised it only took 4 weeks to get them that nice!
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Post by LCARS on Sept 2, 2008 23:03:46 GMT -5
I'm surprised you got such good results in such a short time with those!  I would have run them in 60/90 a few days longer longer and did a 10 day prepolish followed by a 12 day polish cycle to get that killer shine.  |
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Post by creativeminded on Sept 8, 2008 12:04:01 GMT -5
The colors are incredible, beautiful.
Tami
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Post by sparkles on Sept 8, 2008 15:54:08 GMT -5
Oooo! Those are pretty! You look like you had a lot of fun tumbling those beauties! I enjoy the range of tone and pattern in all Agates, but your selection is fab! I particularly liked the second individual selection, I have a fascination for Agates that "change their minds" while growing, the banded sections against the Onyx banded infill is gorgeous. I have never tumbled LSA but the tendancy of some Agates to have differences in hardness between growth areas can cause problems in the tumbler. My best solution is to take the tumble long and slow, often focusing more on the 120/220 stage than earlier rough grinding which somehow worsens the problem. I also pack my load with lots of small very rounded tumbles (I use local flint) and dispense with the plastic pellets in the final phase. This helps develop an even grind even on the undercut surfaces, and should give a fine polish, even on variable material. Good Luck! And don't hold back on the pictures of your next batch - I LOVE those Agates! ;D Sparkles. |
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Sept 12, 2008 7:56:58 GMT -5
LSA are one of my Favorites- I have never tried them in a 36 grit (I buy 60/90 by the 50Lb Bucket so that is what I stick with)- looks like the 36 does a nice job. The only advise I would give is to run them through another course cycle when you think they are ready to move on.
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zmd2008
starting to shine!
Member since August 2008
Posts: 29
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Post by zmd2008 on Sept 12, 2008 21:15:49 GMT -5
Thank you to everyone for looking at my rocks and liking them. Also, thank you for your tips.
Actually, this batch aren't ones I found, I'm still sorting through those. I got this batch for Christmas last year from Kingsley North. They seem to have a pretty good price, especially if you buy multipes ( I think if you order 5 pounds or more you get some money off).
Unless you know of a great spot, you get much better quality agates by just buying them by the pound. If you're like me and you genuinely LOVE spending time for hours and hours to come up with a pound of rocks then it's fun, but if you think you'll get more/better agates than buying them - you probably won't. If you do, go ahead and whisper in my ear where you're looking, I'd love to know someone's secret prospecting location. I'll post more details of my recent rockhounding excursions soon in the Locations section.
What else...oh yeah, if you like the LSA's and you are up in Moose Lake, MN, like someone else mentioned, be sure to stop by the museum at the Moose Lake State Park and see their agate collection. There are truly some incredible ones in there. Huge ones with great patterns.
Thanks again everybody.
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