New Batches - Rolling Stones | Rock Tumbling Hobby

MyNewHobby
driving up their electric bill

Member since January 2009
Posts: 2,282

New Batches - Rolling Stones Aug 22, 2009 15:50:37 GMT -5

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Post by MyNewHobby on Aug 22, 2009 15:50:37 GMT -5

In the period of time between bigger batches, I decided to get another couple of the small 1 lb Rolling Stones barrels going and work with the sensitive stuff. I still have the two batches running in the twin Lortone.

In one barrel I have the spectralite/labradorite that took a big beating. It almost fills the barrel and I have added 3 tablespoons of plastic pellets. I do not want them banging around, but I also want to make sure that the 1 tablespoon of 60/90 get thoroughly dispersed.

Now ... for the 2nd barrel, I am up for suggestions as to what would be a good batch.

I have a chunk of Mahogany Obsidian that I would like to cut up and try.

Any ideas?

As always ...
Julie

You can stare at a rock for hours and never see the same thing twice.

tkrueger3 driving up their electric bill Liquidating in HOT San Antonio, Texas! Member since May 2009 Posts: 2,279	New Batches - Rolling Stones Aug 22, 2009 18:55:03 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by tkrueger3 on Aug 22, 2009 18:55:03 GMT -5 The obsidian sounds like a good choice - with lots of filler, of course. Tom
	Tom

MyNewHobby driving up their electric bill Member since January 2009 Posts: 2,282	New Batches - Rolling Stones Aug 22, 2009 19:00:03 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by MyNewHobby on Aug 22, 2009 19:00:03 GMT -5 Tom .... With the Obsidian in a 1 lb barrel .... what would you suggest to be the best cushion ... plastic or ceramic? Thanks for your help!
	You can stare at a rock for hours and never see the same thing twice.

tkrueger3
driving up their electric bill

Liquidating in HOT San Antonio, Texas!

Member since May 2009
Posts: 2,279

New Batches - Rolling Stones Aug 22, 2009 22:15:42 GMT -5

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Post by tkrueger3 on Aug 22, 2009 22:15:42 GMT -5

Since the obsidian is relatively hard, but very brittle, I'd say use plastic pellets. Besides, they're smaller, and if your obsidian pieces are flatter than the average tumbler rocks, the smaller fillers will help them slide rather than crash and burn, right? At least, that's my thinking. I'm using both plastic and 3 sizes of ceramics in my 1.5lb Lortone batch of labradorite right now. I hope it works better than my last attempt!

I did find this quote in one online "primer" on tumbling stones:

"Hard agates and jaspers turn out fine without using plastic pellets. Difficult to polish rocks like obsidian or glass generally will not take a high lustre polish in a rotary tumbler unless plastic pellets are used in the final three stages of tumbling. "

Hope this helps,

Tom

Tom

connrock
still telling self it's just a hobby

Ranger,,,My little buddy

Member since July 2004
Posts: 4,374

New Batches - Rolling Stones Aug 23, 2009 7:03:12 GMT -5

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Post by connrock on Aug 23, 2009 7:03:12 GMT -5

Although 1 lb isn't much to work with you might want to cut the obsidian into small geometric shapes.
Squares,triangles,rectangles all of different sizes works nice.

I did a 6 lb load of these for a friend who loves obsidian and she loved them.
connrock

Beacon Falls,CT

colliel82 has rocks in the head Member since November 2007 Posts: 664	New Batches - Rolling Stones Aug 23, 2009 17:02:16 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by colliel82 on Aug 23, 2009 17:02:16 GMT -5 Be careful cutting the obsidian, it can leave some sharp edges and small sharp pieces that can cut you.