nansaidh
spending too much on rocks
Jewelry artist, graphic designer, dog lover, car nut (etc.)
Member since August 2008
Posts: 311
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Post by nansaidh on Mar 18, 2009 16:55:00 GMT -5
Just took two batches out that have been going forever (yes they have, too!) and 90% of everything looks like crap. I guess the only thing I can tumble well is jade, which never fails to come out looking like glass, for some reason. Okay, I'm done whining - now where is the best place to get the least expensive coarse grit? I'm all out and tumbling has come to a screeching halt.  Nancy |
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Mudshark
fully equipped rock polisher
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,083
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Post by Mudshark on Mar 18, 2009 18:19:15 GMT -5
I buy from this company www.gravescompany.com/Good price if you buy large quantity.For smaller size these guys are pretty good www.amlap.com/alw/tumblingsupp.htmlThey sell Graves products but are cheaper on the smaller bags of grit.Hang in there on that crappy tumble,tell us the details and I'm sure help will be on the way. Mike |
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller 
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,105
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Post by Thunder69 on Mar 18, 2009 18:49:10 GMT -5
therockshed.com/grit.htmlThey are pretty reasonable and quick to get it to you ...Matter of fact I need to order some more myself ;D ...keep trying to figure it out..John
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nansaidh
spending too much on rocks
Jewelry artist, graphic designer, dog lover, car nut (etc.)
Member since August 2008
Posts: 311
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Post by nansaidh on Mar 18, 2009 19:27:54 GMT -5
Thanks Mike & Thunder... Looks like Amlap was cheapest for 10 lbs at just over $20 (shipped was $36) so that should hold me for a little while. I'll put a photo up of the tumble but it ain't worth lookin' at! ;-)
Nancy
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nansaidh
spending too much on rocks
Jewelry artist, graphic designer, dog lover, car nut (etc.)
Member since August 2008
Posts: 311
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Post by nansaidh on Mar 18, 2009 19:47:40 GMT -5
Okay, I know pictures go in the other section but maybe no one will see them in here....  The whole 2 batches:  The agates (?) from my gift exchange (Sheri):  Pet wood from kap:  Serpentine that I shouldn't have bothered with but did anyway... I ran this by itself for a while until it pretty much disintegrated then I threw it in with some others, not caring by that time. sigh:  Some jasper that I cracked apart with a hammer and that took over a month just in coarse:  And the two decent pieces of the batch, jades from Moonstone Beach (the right one is bluer and gorgeous-er than the picture can possibly show):  That's all folks. The problem was probably something to do with relative hardnesses but I could scratch all day and just not get stuff sorted right. I need to stick to my beach stones, I think. lol Nancy |
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Mar 19, 2009 16:00:36 GMT -5
Iron's Lapidary will sell 10# of coarse for $20 and 9.22 for shipping from AZ to TX.
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rockwolf
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2008
Posts: 97
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Post by rockwolf on Mar 20, 2009 6:49:17 GMT -5
I think they look pretty good! Serpentine is pretty soft in comparison, so I guess wouldn't polish up very well with the harder ones.
I especially LOVE that stripy one top right in the first picture. What is it?
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Post by frane on Mar 20, 2009 8:27:39 GMT -5
It looks like maybe you had some crossover contamination of grit that kept the harder ones from shinning up. Maybe trapped in the serpentine...Just a guess.
The harder Jaspers usually take about 8 weeks in course for me before I can move them on so they may be good to run a little again with another batch. you have some impact fractures so maybe the serpentine broke down too quickly to cushion the load. They all show some really good promise and some are very pretty so don't be too discouraged! You might want to use them for filler for some of your future batches. I think you will be pleased if you do because they don't look far from being a success for you.
Just my :2cents: because I know how frustrating it can be after waiting so long. I am just impressed that you can do jade and have it look good. I have heard that it is really difficult to do! Hope that helps a little.
Fran
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nansaidh
spending too much on rocks
Jewelry artist, graphic designer, dog lover, car nut (etc.)
Member since August 2008
Posts: 311
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Post by nansaidh on Mar 20, 2009 11:54:52 GMT -5
I think they look pretty good! Serpentine is pretty soft in comparison, so I guess wouldn't polish up very well with the harder ones. I especially LOVE that stripy one top right in the first picture. What is it? I picked up a large piece one day on a walk (suburban central coast California) from a public landscaped area because I thought it was cool looking. I've tumbled several pieces of it (cracked it apart with a hammer) - the black parts look like solidified cognac  and the white bits look opaque. I think I asked some time back what people thought it was and Jack & Mel felt it was a "Franciscan formation jasper" (chert of marine origin) (this link shows the "before" chunk if you're interested). Nancy |
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nansaidh
spending too much on rocks
Jewelry artist, graphic designer, dog lover, car nut (etc.)
Member since August 2008
Posts: 311
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Post by nansaidh on Mar 20, 2009 11:56:47 GMT -5
Thanks Fran - I might put them in as filler like you suggested, especially that jasper.
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rockwolf
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2008
Posts: 97
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Post by rockwolf on Mar 25, 2009 7:32:59 GMT -5
Thanks Nancy! Have just found your link! Interesting piece & certainly tumbled well!
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and the white bits look opaque. I think I asked some time back what people thought it was and 
