firstrune
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 156
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Post by firstrune on Jun 22, 2009 11:35:06 GMT -5
Okay, here they are, my second attempt with the vibe. I want to thank all of you who advised me to stay encouraged with this equipment. I am happier with the rocks this time around and I think the vibe will stay in my future.  This is a real mish-mash of rocks, some are from Michael John, some Girasols, some purple amethyst, but most of them are rocks I've collected here on the farm. So without further ado.. Pic of Mostly The Entire Batch I believe this is Smokey Quartz, it's something I find around here, correct me if I'm wrong. The color is not realistic, for some reason the camera lends a lavender color but it's more of a greyis color Girasol Opal (again color not realistic, it's very clear) Purple Amethyst from The Rock Shed Not Sure What This Is A Handful of Favorites Thank You For Looking!! |
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Post by tkrueger3 on Jun 22, 2009 12:05:28 GMT -5
:DThose look great to me! I just got my vibe - haven't tried it yet. It's a Covington Engineering 1090 with a 10" bowl. The instructions say "tumble 7 pounds or less" - I guess depending on what kind of rocks you're putting in there. I'm still rotating some aventurine and amazonite in 60/90 and some agate and amethyst in 120/220, trying to put enough together to start the vibe with the 500 grit. I understand that trying to run it with not enough rocks will not result in the correct tumbling action.
So, what was your final formula that worked so well for you this time?
Tom
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jun 22, 2009 15:45:25 GMT -5
Wow turned out awesome!!  |
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firstrune
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 156
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Post by firstrune on Jun 22, 2009 17:23:14 GMT -5
Hi Tom, thank you for the compliment! Tom I think what made this batch more successful was following the advice of many of the great people here. I did add the small ceramic pellets, that seemed to make a difference, and I also was more critical of the rocks I chose to put in the vibe. This batch had been done through 2nd stage in the rotaries, it was a batch in a container I had waiting for a pre-polish. So only the pre-polish and polish were done in the vibe. I haven't yet tried a 2nd stage in the vibe. I also burnished (with Borax) between stages and after the final polish. I buy all of my grit/polish from The Rock Shed, and that's what I used on these, his 500 and his AO. I'm so much happier with this batch than I was the first.
Bonnie
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firstrune
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 156
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Post by firstrune on Jun 22, 2009 17:24:10 GMT -5
Thank you Randy!! I'm glad now that I didn't give up on the vibe. I think it can produce some stunning rocks when you get some experience with it. I'll definitely use it again.
Bonnie
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Good Vibrations
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Overanalysis leads to Paralysis
Member since May 2009
Posts: 91
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Post by Good Vibrations on Jun 22, 2009 20:30:37 GMT -5
Hi Bonnie,
Geeze! With a result like that, I would definitely keep the vibe around!! Those look PERFECT to me! I love the smokey quartz - that mysterious translucent look. I don't see a trace of polish residue anywhere on those rocks... only unmistakable shine! Nice job!
~Erica
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Post by frane on Jun 22, 2009 21:05:28 GMT -5
That is a great batch! The vibe can be tricky but worth it, especially for some rocks.
Fran
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firstrune
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 156
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Post by firstrune on Jun 23, 2009 16:19:34 GMT -5
Hi Erica, thank you for the compliments!! I do think I'll likely have a vibe in my future now. My first batch I wasn't so sure about that..  I'm thinking about trying my hand at a 2nd stage batch with it, but think I'll wait until I can order a 3rd bowl to do that. Bonnie |
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firstrune
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 156
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Post by firstrune on Jun 23, 2009 16:21:36 GMT -5
Fran, thank you for the compliments!! When someone in the novice arena such as myself hears those words from the rest of you, it's very encouraging. ;D I'm glad I kept with the vibe as I do think I'll really like as I gain more experience and comfort with it.
Bonnie
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catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Post by catskillrocks on Jun 23, 2009 19:44:39 GMT -5
I'm glad you persevered, Bonnie. This batch rates a WoW! The one you labeled Not Sure What This Is is stunning. Thanks for sharing.
Don
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Post by MrP on Jun 23, 2009 20:06:20 GMT -5
I like it....MrP
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Post by MyNewHobby on Jun 23, 2009 20:45:44 GMT -5
Very Cool!!!! Awesome Shine!!
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,497
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Post by Sabre52 on Jun 23, 2009 22:36:04 GMT -5
Great shine and nice shapes. You done real good!.....Mel
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Gem'n I
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 980
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Post by Gem'n I on Jun 24, 2009 10:31:57 GMT -5
Bonnie,
You go girl...way to flog through the secrets of the vibe..they look awesome!!...Larry
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firstrune
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 156
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Post by firstrune on Jun 24, 2009 16:55:21 GMT -5
Thank you so much Don, MrP, Julie, Mel, and Larry. Your compliments mean a lot!! I'm getting more and more proud of this batch, thanks to all of you. My husband is Active Duty Air Force and he took a large jar of these out to the base and almost all of them are gone, the personnel out there really liked them and made off with most of them. Time to get busy again. Bonnie |
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jun 27, 2009 13:12:44 GMT -5
Hi
That batch is real good you got a good gloss finish on them
Well done great to see you stuck at it and finally suceded
jackYorkshire uk
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This is a real mish-mash of rocks, some are from Michael John, some Girasols, some purple amethyst, but most of them are rocks I've collected here on the farm. So without further ado..
I'm thinking about trying my hand at a 2nd stage batch with it, but think I'll wait until I can order a 3rd bowl to do that. 
