Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Oct 7, 2008 15:30:16 GMT -5
Hoowdy folks , I finally finished these Wolf Tears (Apache Tears) I think they came out great , only one had a small chip. My secret was to use plenty of plastic pellets after the coarse grind, after the 220 I used about a 50/50 mix tears to pellets. Pictures were taken outside in the sun shine Thank you all for the advice and for taking a peek at my tumbles   |
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Post by sitnwrap on Oct 7, 2008 16:23:03 GMT -5
Nice batch of tumbles. Unless I'm thinking of something else, isn't there a play of light in those stones when you move them this way and that?
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Oct 7, 2008 16:39:06 GMT -5
Hi sitnwrap yes there is a slight play of light ... I love holding them up to a light and look through them I'm gonna try an wire wrap a few of the larger ones
Thanks
Dennis
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Post by frane on Oct 7, 2008 20:46:55 GMT -5
Wow Dennis, those really turned out nice! I have a couple pounds of Apache tears but I have been too afraid to tumble them until I get a bit more experience at it. After seeing how great yours look, I may have to just do it. Did you use a vibe or a barrel tumbler?
Fran
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Oct 7, 2008 21:46:59 GMT -5
Good job wolfden! My wife requested some seriously black tumbled rocks. I went for black jasper (currently in coarse) but it looks like apache tears would fit the bill as well! Thanks for posting.
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Post by sitnwrap on Oct 7, 2008 21:52:31 GMT -5
One of my first wraps was a tumbled Apache Tear. I would love to see a pic when you wrap them.
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Post by stonesthatrock on Oct 7, 2008 23:00:31 GMT -5
those look really great. i have a couple lbs. that i haven't even attempted to tumble. I heard they were tough to polish. As i look at your i don't believe it. Yours look great.
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Oct 7, 2008 23:04:21 GMT -5
Hey Fran , I use a modified CE 3lb dbl tumbler , it has a lortone motor and pully the original motor died and it was cheaper to just replace the motor than to buy a whole new setup . Go for it just use lots of pellets and they will come out great. Hey ejs ,, I'll set some aside for her  I'll make sure to post the wraps  thanks Dennis |
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 8, 2008 1:45:06 GMT -5
Nice Batch Dennis
They will look greate in a silver wire wrap
Jack
Yorkshire UK
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Oct 8, 2008 10:13:25 GMT -5
Thanks Jack
Dennis
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Post by Noosh9057 on Oct 8, 2008 12:15:57 GMT -5
They look great. I think I will order some of those to try myself.
Roger
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Oct 9, 2008 11:25:44 GMT -5
Thanks Roger most of mine came from the rockshed and kingleynorth just use plenty of pellets lol
Dennis
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ace
starting to shine!
Member since August 2008
Posts: 39
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Post by ace on Oct 10, 2008 7:35:02 GMT -5
wow, those look great!
Randy
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Post by connrock on Oct 12, 2008 4:05:56 GMT -5
Well Dennis I'm going to stick my neck WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY out and say I don't think you took the "tears" all the way to their potential.
PLEASE understand that I am only trying to help you as I think that is what we are here for.Not only to admire but also to help others to achieve the best possible shine on their tumbles.
I may be wrong so I want you to do me a favor.Take 1 piece and wet 1/2 of it.If you can't tell the difference between the wet 1/2 and the dry 1/2 then you've done great.
If not then you have a bit of correcting to do and I KNOW I and others CAN help you to get a shine on your rocks that will knock anyones socks off!!
connrock
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Post by LCARS on Oct 12, 2008 13:13:38 GMT -5
Those look nicely shaped but not polished. At what stage did you take the pics?
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Post by kap on Oct 12, 2008 13:43:04 GMT -5
Connrock I have a batch that looks like those and I cant get a good shine on them what do I need to do? I have tried tumbling them and in a vibe. I am using TO to polish. Thanks! Keith |
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 12, 2008 15:36:37 GMT -5
I get a good shin with AO in a vibe, but then they craze a bit just being stored or moved around. These were packed in a baggie and moved corss country, and then moved from shelf to floor to closet ... etc in my new place. Still, I was surprised how much crasing had ocured over the past year.   |
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Oct 12, 2008 17:58:33 GMT -5
pictures where taken after 3-4 hrs of borax which was after 14 days in cerium oxide , I probably should have wiped them down , they do look alittle hazy .
This was my fist attempt with these
What would you suggest conn ??
Wow Deb , those look like they took a beating
Thanks
Dennis
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Post by connrock on Oct 13, 2008 4:45:32 GMT -5
kap & wolf,
Not knowing the process you used I would venture a guess that it is 1 or both the pre-polish stage and or the polish you used.
I would suggest a pre-polish in either #1000 grit or Tripoli and then polish with AO or TO.
Cerium oxide isn't the best polish to use especially in a vibe but it's a good pre-polish in a rotary.
I use Rapid Polish #61 for just about everything I do and it works great for me.I'm not sure but I think it may be a tin oxide.
I hope this helps and if not just keep asking.
connrock
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Oct 14, 2008 13:09:07 GMT -5
Hey Conn , I only use a barrel tumbler , i used 80 coarse , then 220 , then 500 , 1000 , CO polish with a borax tumble after the 1000 and after the CO polish . I guess it couldnt hurt to run them through some TO ?
Dennis
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