NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004
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Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Dec 30, 2008 16:15:10 GMT -5
My tumbler is due here Friday from the Rockshed! I ordered a QT12, Their Grit Pack for Rotary Rock Tumblers including 1 lb. of plastic pellets, 1 lb. of coarse (60-90 grit), 1 lb. of medium (120-220 grit) 1 lb. of fine grit (500 pre polish) and 1 lb. of their polish. I also ordered an extra 5 lbs of 60-90. I'm going to take all your wonderful advise and keep tumbling coarse loads until I'm satisfied with the finish and have enough to move on. I'm not sure I have the patience for 2 months of coarse tumbling, but I'll give it my best shot! ;D Me & Kayla sorted through 50 lbs of tumbling sized rough lakers and came up with this for the first load. There's 12 lbs and a lot more little-bitty ones on the bottom of the pile not showing. I'll adjust the load once the barrel is here. 3/4 full? The before photo. Am I on the right path?  Thanks for all your help!  Steve |
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Post by Michael John on Dec 30, 2008 16:21:42 GMT -5
Looks like a darn good path to me!
If I were you, I'd cut a couple dozen preforms to throw in the load, so that you can make some simple pendants as gifts for friends and family (and at least one for yourself, of course). You might even toss-in some whole slabettes, for display.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Dec 30, 2008 16:22:03 GMT -5
Yep, 3/4 full. Wow, those are gonna be killer!! Keep posting pics of the progress, I'm looking forward to seeing them finished. Good luck!  |
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NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004
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Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Dec 30, 2008 16:24:12 GMT -5
MJ...you gonna show me how to cut a rock when I visit?! LOL
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,496
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Post by Sabre52 on Dec 30, 2008 18:14:44 GMT -5
Boy you folks up in Laker territory have some fine looking rough! that should make up a totally awesome batch of tumbles. Even though 3/4 full is the optimum, watch your weight too. I've sometimes found 3/4 full can be way over 15 pounds with some rough ( plus grit and water) and that will sometimes overload your QT12 when the motor gets older. My old timers can barely manage a 12 pound load now days...Mel
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NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004
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Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Dec 30, 2008 18:59:44 GMT -5
Mel...If I'm short of 3/4, but at 10-12 lbs of rough, should I fill with plastic to make up the volume?
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,496
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Post by Sabre52 on Dec 30, 2008 19:09:51 GMT -5
Nah, I run my older tumblers half full all the time. If you add plastic pellets you'll just slow the grind action. I never add pellets until the fine grind unless doing very delicate materials that grind fast and suffer a lot from impacts....Mel
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Post by frane on Dec 30, 2008 19:40:16 GMT -5
OK, I'm drooling! Those look great even before you start on them! I am getting all excited for you!!!
Keep showing us your progress as you go. It sure takes a long time but it is well worth it!
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Dec 30, 2008 22:39:50 GMT -5
Can't wait too see them polished. Lakers are so nice.
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Post by NatureNut on Dec 30, 2008 22:49:23 GMT -5
Love those colors!!! Make sure you post pics for us throughout the process. We love show and tell! Jo
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Post by Noosh9057 on Dec 31, 2008 8:17:08 GMT -5
Yes the colors of those are great!!!!!!
Roger
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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 13:20:04 GMT -5
Sounds like you are on the right path. You could consider adding ceramic media to fill up the space, especially after a few rounds when you have started to remove some of the rock for medium and the volume goes down from the grinding. Else keep adding new material or scrap material to keep the level up. I believe the QT12 can also run two 6 lb. barrels if in the future you wish to divide up loads into smaller quantities (you can buy the 6 lbs. barrels at TheRockShed). Good luck, have fun, and keep us posted!
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Post by sitnwrap on Dec 31, 2008 16:08:30 GMT -5
You sure have an incredable "first batch" waiting for your new tumbler. I'd be WhooHooing all in caps WHOOOOHOOOOO!!!!
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Post by sparkles on Jan 1, 2009 17:51:48 GMT -5
This is just a mouth wateringly good looking tumble batch, your going to have an absolute field day with these, it's awesome. Your pickings are mighty fine indeed North Shore, and if this batch gives half as good as it's going to get, it'll be one to remember, better get those digi-cam batteries charged Mate, I wanna see what this batch looks like all the way! ;D
Stunning Batch Buddy, your going to keep us on the edge until we see these stones shine! ;D Thanks for sharing your progress, this is one path we can all enjoy following you along! ;D
Cheers,
Sparkles.
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rockerfellerz
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 120
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Post by rockerfellerz on Jan 2, 2009 17:47:08 GMT -5
That is some sweet looking rough! I will really be looking forward to seeing the end result!
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NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004
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Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Jan 5, 2009 10:20:26 GMT -5
Rocks are Rolling!!! ;D The tumbler showed up Saturday and the load above seemed to be just right. 3/4 full! Oh...and it seems a certain saw followed me home from Home Depot. The last one on the shelf. |
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Post by krazydiamond on Jan 5, 2009 12:52:45 GMT -5
can't wait to see this batch!
KD
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Jan 5, 2009 14:45:54 GMT -5
First batch rolling and you've already bought a tile saw? You've got it bad, my friend. :-)
Remember, one tumbler is never enough...
("One of us! One of us!")
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Post by Condor on Jan 7, 2009 23:03:17 GMT -5
You are going to have some fine looking Lakers. Looking forward to when they're done.
Condor
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Jan 8, 2009 11:52:19 GMT -5
What a beautiful way to start tumbling
BTW...they might be valuable
csroc
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