pporky
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2007
Posts: 1,932
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Post by pporky on May 4, 2009 5:46:23 GMT -5
I have started tumbling a few small agates and while they showed color on the outside there wasn't much patterns. I grabbed a couple and put the saw through them and they were really nice inside, should I cut them all open to reveal the patterns or let them take there own course, I couldn,t help but cut a few open very nice.Do I leave them flat from the saw or grind them up a bit. I use a rotary tumbler. any advice will help regards pporky
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Post by creativeminded on May 4, 2009 7:12:42 GMT -5
I would do a combination of both if you have enough. You don't need to grind them up a bit before you put them in the tumbler. Tami
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Post by 150FromFundy on May 4, 2009 20:54:21 GMT -5
If you have agate pebbles or nodules that are already semi-rounded, try slicing a few about 1/4" to 3/8" thick. The outer edge should already be rounded, or oval, so no need to cut any more. Polish in a mixed load. Think of them as nature's pre-forms.
150FromFundy
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Post by rocklicker on May 8, 2009 17:23:03 GMT -5
If they are solid and nicely shaped, try cutting them in half and tumbling the halves. I have had nice results doing that with Brazilian agates. I let them run until most of the outer skin is gone, or I can start to see the first color layer. As you go down in grit stages, it will remove the rest of the skin and make a pleasing shape. Steve
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