peapodwoman
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1
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Post by peapodwoman on Dec 27, 2008 9:45:50 GMT -5
I just started tumbling rocks a couple days ago and I put my garnets in for 2 days now. I would like to keep them their natural shape. How long should I keep it in the grit? I haven't done this long enough to know.
Thanks.
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller 
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575 
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Post by grayfingers on Dec 27, 2008 10:44:28 GMT -5
peapodwoman, If you are using a rotary tumbler it may be difficult to get the garnets smoothed before the natural shape is lost. A vibratory tumbler is better for retaining natural surfaces, though one really can't use coarse grit in them as it wears out the bowl quickly. You might want to continue to check them every couple of days, and end the coarse grind when you have reached a point that would be an acceptable compromise. Coarse grit usually will last the better part of a week, then needs to be recharged. The later stages of tumbling will not remove hardly any more of the surface.
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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 Dec 30, 2008 13:06:03 GMT -5
I used 120/220 grit as my first stage to avoid grinding away too much stone. After 120/220 (7-10 days), 500 for 7 days, AO1000 for 10 days, and 7 days in fianl polish; my garnets came out really pretty. I hope to be posting pictures of the batch soon!
Randy
Oh, and welcome to the board.
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pebblepup
has rocks in the head
Succor Creek Thunder Egg
Member since July 2008
Posts: 515
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Post by pebblepup on Dec 30, 2008 15:56:18 GMT -5
When I tumble garnets I lose the shape in the 60-90 grit stage. I would like to see how Randy's suggestion of starting with 120/220 works out. One problem that I ran into with garnets was with the weight. Garnets are so dense that a full barrel will be too much in a standard rotary tumbler. Now I just add a couple of tablespoons to batches of very hard material.
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Dec 31, 2008 18:34:55 GMT -5
All good ideas - please post photos of your results if you can!
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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 Jan 1, 2009 12:07:56 GMT -5
Pebblepup is right, garnets are really dense. The fellow at Berg's Rock Shop where I bought my rough also suggested using smaller agates to mix in with the garnets. I have a 9#'er going with about 4 pounds of garnets and about 4 pounds of agates. The batch is in final polish now, but are looking really, really nice. I have about 1/2 pound that I ran as a test batch using the agates and 120/220 initial grit method, and the garnets look sharp (if I do say so LOL). Photos coming soon....I hope.
Randy
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Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
Posts: 600
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Post by Roan on Jan 17, 2009 11:20:28 GMT -5
Berg's is out of garnet rough. Can anyone recommend an alternate source?
Eileen
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jan 17, 2009 15:19:34 GMT -5
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Post by frane on Jan 17, 2009 20:28:05 GMT -5
The only other place that I have noticed garnet rough is at minerungems.com besides bergs. It costs more there at 9.95 a pound and I have never ordered from them so I really can't vouch for them.
Fran
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