My First Vibe Load- Local Stuff

NatureNut
no longer being taken for granite

Peace

Member since November 2008
Posts: 7,893

My First Vibe Load- Local Stuff Dec 22, 2008 22:12:20 GMT -5

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Post by NatureNut on Dec 22, 2008 22:12:20 GMT -5

Well, I've accomplished a BIG goal, thanks to everyone on this board! I just finished a batch in my UV-10 and wanted to share. It's some of my local stuff. Technically moonstone, has smoky quartz bands, green moonstone, amazonite and a little sunstone that gives it a peachy hue in some rock. I nicknamed it "Sun, Earth and Moonstone". It's a 6.5-7 on Mohs and has a chatoyant sheen.

Here it is rough

Then, I tumbled some for 5 days in my Lortone 45C and got this

Then... I burned out a Plasplugs little wet tile saw that my neighbor had lent me to get started

(that he picked up at a yard sale), and got a WF saw and went to town on preshapes!

Then... as I waited for my UV-10 to arrive, I got really nervous that I wasn't going to reach my Christmas deadline. So I smoothed down my preshaped cabs on my 3450 rpm grinder and sanded with my Dremel. TonyTerner and Bejewelme coached me on cab shaping. Boy, I'll tell ya, I was sweating it.

But I was prepared 'cause Biker Randy coached me on the procedure. When my UV-10 FINALLY arrived (one week ago), I immediately loaded my tumble and preshapes and after 1 day in 220, and 2 days in prepolish, this is what the cabs looked like:

I hit a couple of bumps.

The load got smaller and I needed filler, but I remembered reading on this forum that I could add marbles, because a load that is light in the loafers will turnout alot of cracks and nicks.

So... thanks to all of you

, after 4 days in AO polish, I am proud to say, I have some finished tumble to show

And then there are the little guys, they'll become earrings and tietacks

Closeup of little guys

And then there's the cabs

I'll show closeups of the cabs in the cab section. I couldn't have gotten this far without all of you on this board

. My success is YOUR success!!!! Thank YOU. Jo

Last Edit: Dec 22, 2008 22:30:20 GMT -5 by NatureNut

Bikerrandy can identify rocks - even green ones Say what?? Member since September 2005 Posts: 15,688	My First Vibe Load- Local Stuff Dec 22, 2008 22:25:56 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Bikerrandy on Dec 22, 2008 22:25:56 GMT -5 Those smoothed out great!! Here's something for you to try- tomorrow take them outside. find a spot that's bright but shaded, and take more pics. This will keep the glare off the rocks and show off the shine.
	The reason they say 'Women and children first' is to test the strength of the life boat Rockhobby on Facebook Check out

Saskrock fully equipped rock polisher Member since October 2007 Posts: 1,852	My First Vibe Load- Local Stuff Dec 22, 2008 22:43:58 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Saskrock on Dec 22, 2008 22:43:58 GMT -5 Congrats on the first tumble. They look good.
	Scott

NatureNut no longer being taken for granite Peace Member since November 2008 Posts: 7,893	My First Vibe Load- Local Stuff Dec 22, 2008 22:47:18 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by NatureNut on Dec 22, 2008 22:47:18 GMT -5 Yes Coach. LOL. Thanks Saskrock!!! Means alot.

Bejewelme
gets rocks for Christmas

Member since October 2008
Posts: 5,951

My First Vibe Load- Local Stuff Dec 22, 2008 22:55:17 GMT -5

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Post by Bejewelme on Dec 22, 2008 22:55:17 GMT -5

WOW Jo,
I know this has been a labor of love for you, it looks like you had a great end result. They look great!!! And this is only your first batch, look at all you have learned along the way, and I know you are sitting on bunches more to keep honing your skills!!!
Great job, now get busy wrapping, you only have a few more days!!
Amber

NatureNut
no longer being taken for granite

Peace

Member since November 2008
Posts: 7,893

My First Vibe Load- Local Stuff Dec 22, 2008 23:02:15 GMT -5

Quote

Post by NatureNut on Dec 22, 2008 23:02:15 GMT -5

I know, I know! Geez, I'm gonna have a stockpile with the two of you coaching me, LOL. Tomorrow is power-wrap day, gonna attempt Randy's tutorial, Amber, I don't know... if they find me on Christmas morning all wrapped up in knots... we'll know why....

Hey Randy, here's a closeup of a tumbler, is this better color for ya?

Bikerrandy can identify rocks - even green ones Say what?? Member since September 2005 Posts: 15,688	My First Vibe Load- Local Stuff Dec 22, 2008 23:12:15 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Bikerrandy on Dec 22, 2008 23:12:15 GMT -5 Ah yes, looks great!! I tell ya, this batch is at least 5 times better than my first batch. My first batch is out in the yard somewhere. lol
	The reason they say 'Women and children first' is to test the strength of the life boat Rockhobby on Facebook Check out

rockwolf noticing nice landscape pebbles Member since November 2008 Posts: 97	My First Vibe Load- Local Stuff Dec 23, 2008 8:14:38 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by rockwolf on Dec 23, 2008 8:14:38 GMT -5 Excellent job! They look really good!

ejs
spending too much on rocks

Member since July 2008
Posts: 478

My First Vibe Load- Local Stuff Dec 23, 2008 9:39:35 GMT -5

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Post by ejs on Dec 23, 2008 9:39:35 GMT -5

Great! I love seeing the rocks all along the way. Thanks for posting so many photos. I love the fact that you collected these yourself, got so much help from the board, used so many different pieces of equipment, and got such good results in time for the holidays! Good job.

sitnwrap
gets rocks for Christmas

Member since March 2008
Posts: 5,004

My First Vibe Load- Local Stuff Dec 23, 2008 9:53:06 GMT -5

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Post by sitnwrap on Dec 23, 2008 9:53:06 GMT -5

You did an awesome job on your first batch and Wow did you get them done lickity split. Great shine and everything. WTG. Don't forget to take picks of these beauties wrapped.

There's nothing like bringing a rock from found to cabbed to wrapped all on your own so good for you!

NatureNut
no longer being taken for granite

Peace

Member since November 2008
Posts: 7,893

My First Vibe Load- Local Stuff Dec 23, 2008 12:33:13 GMT -5

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Post by NatureNut on Dec 23, 2008 12:33:13 GMT -5

Thanks Rockwolf, ejs and sitnwrap! Means alot. You're so right, "found to cabbed to wrapped" really does give one a glowing feeling of accomplishment. Only worked out so well because this forum helped me avoid some of the pitfalls and know what to do when I did hit them. Of course, having great members who are willing to answer quick questions and coach is dynamite too. RTH rocks!!! Jo

frane
misunderstood rock expert

Member since July 2008
Posts: 11,015

My First Vibe Load- Local Stuff Dec 23, 2008 13:36:28 GMT -5

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Post by frane on Dec 23, 2008 13:36:28 GMT -5

Really looks nice! I hadn't thought about using marbles. I must have missed something some where along the line. I am always searching for extra, almost there stones to add or now I have started to pull the loads and let them wait til I have more to that stage.
Those will really look nice wrapped.
Fran

NatureNut
no longer being taken for granite

Peace

Member since November 2008
Posts: 7,893

My First Vibe Load- Local Stuff Dec 23, 2008 20:29:12 GMT -5

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Post by NatureNut on Dec 23, 2008 20:29:12 GMT -5

Thanks Fran, I got lucky to have the tumble mix and the preshapes ready at the same time. but soon had extra room. This stuff really does process fast but is able to take a great shine. Can't wait to see yours tumbled! Jo

bouldergal freely admits to licking rocks Glacier Meadow Member since July 2007 Posts: 783	My First Vibe Load- Local Stuff Jan 3, 2009 16:40:00 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by bouldergal on Jan 3, 2009 16:40:00 GMT -5 Those would look really nice with yellow gold .... you could bell cap them like Randy does!
	Would rather be "Rocky Mountain High!"