My first batch

fisherman510 starting to spend too much on rocks Member since August 2008 Posts: 113	My first batch Dec 4, 2008 21:46:49 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by fisherman510 on Dec 4, 2008 21:46:49 GMT -5 Finally, my first batch is done. Had a couple of false starts and several blowouts, but in the end it was worth it. thanks for looking.
	Last Edit: Dec 5, 2008 7:59:03 GMT -5 by fisherman510

fisherman510 starting to spend too much on rocks Member since August 2008 Posts: 113	My first batch Dec 4, 2008 21:50:01 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by fisherman510 on Dec 4, 2008 21:50:01 GMT -5 Hmmmmm...looks like I at least doubled up on some pics.

Sabre52 Cave Dweller Me and my gal, Rosie Member since August 2005 Posts: 20,496	My first batch Dec 4, 2008 23:14:10 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Sabre52 on Dec 4, 2008 23:14:10 GMT -5 Nice batch! Boy talk about variety. Looks like a bit of everything in there.....Mel

frane
misunderstood rock expert

Member since July 2008
Posts: 11,015

My first batch Dec 5, 2008 18:34:56 GMT -5

Quote

Post by frane on Dec 5, 2008 18:34:56 GMT -5

Lots of color and shine there! Keeps ya busy looking at them.
Even though it could have tumbled a little more, the blob looking one in the second to last pic. bottom L. is kind of neat looking and a favorite. It is a little rebel.
Fran

rockerfellerz starting to spend too much on rocks Member since August 2008 Posts: 120	My first batch Dec 5, 2008 18:55:53 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by rockerfellerz on Dec 5, 2008 18:55:53 GMT -5 I like the "blob" too! I would like to see what is inside. Good job.

Bikerrandy can identify rocks - even green ones Say what?? Member since September 2005 Posts: 15,688	My first batch Dec 5, 2008 19:39:17 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Bikerrandy on Dec 5, 2008 19:39:17 GMT -5 Beautiful colors, nice job!!
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darrad fully equipped rock polisher Member since September 2006 Posts: 1,636	My first batch Dec 5, 2008 20:42:24 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by darrad on Dec 5, 2008 20:42:24 GMT -5 Great shine there. My first batch had a matte finish at best.
	Dave

rockwizz freely admits to licking rocks Member since May 2007 Posts: 971	My first batch Dec 5, 2008 20:48:58 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by rockwizz on Dec 5, 2008 20:48:58 GMT -5 Not bad for a first batch...looks like a piece of obsidian there in the middle? anyhow...obsidian is a totally different animal. You may need to save those until you have enough for a batch. Thanks for sharing. Ozzy

vigodits starting to shine! Member since September 2008 Posts: 28	My first batch Dec 5, 2008 22:03:01 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by vigodits on Dec 5, 2008 22:03:01 GMT -5 Nice debut I love colour and that you have.

navi starting to spend too much on rocks Member since November 2008 Posts: 229	My first batch Dec 5, 2008 22:06:19 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by navi on Dec 5, 2008 22:06:19 GMT -5 hope mine turns out as good......sigh
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ejs spending too much on rocks Member since July 2008 Posts: 478	My first batch Dec 6, 2008 8:23:36 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by ejs on Dec 6, 2008 8:23:36 GMT -5 Great job! Quite a variety. It can be quite a challenge to get such a good shine on such a wide variety of rocks, so you should be psyched! What was your equipment? What was your procedure?

fisherman510
starting to spend too much on rocks

Member since August 2008
Posts: 113

My first batch Dec 6, 2008 9:12:05 GMT -5

Quote

Post by fisherman510 on Dec 6, 2008 9:12:05 GMT -5

The euipment part is easy. I use Thumbles's Thumbler AR-2 & MDLB. Then I move to a UV-10 vibe. I run the rough stage in the MDL B for 2 weeks, recharging after 1 week, using about 12 TBL of 60-90 grit. Ater 2 weeks I inspect and sort out what I feel is ready for stage 2. The drest go back to stage 1. I run stage 2 the same way as stage 1. After the second week I began to sort out those ready for prepolish. I use 4 TBL of 120-220 per 3 lb barrel. I keep the rocks submerged in water between stages. When I get enough for the vibe, I drain the water, dump them in the vibe and turn it on. I add the prepolish, about 4 oz. a little at the time. I check it three or four times a day, adding a little water if needed. I run the prepolish stage for 4 to 5 days then do the same procedure for the polish stage. After the polish, I burnish it in borax for about 3 or 4 hrs.

Things learned from first batch:
Proper preparation of you rough material is essential. The rougher it is, the longer the tumbling time. On preformed stones, any dips in the service will not polish. The stone must be FLAT.
Watch out for the sun. I opened the garage door, not thinking, and after about 10 minutes of sunlight, the lids blew off my 3 lb barrels.
Be patient.

BOB
I am sure everyon can add a lot to this list, so help yourself.