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Post by NatureNut on Sept 9, 2009 12:22:02 GMT -5
Well, for what you are wanting to do, just shaving the edges using the side (s) of the blade may smooth them out for you, might perhaps go easier than cutting through one of those buggers. Yes, I have cut them and I do know exactly what you mean about cutting through them.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Sept 9, 2009 12:39:26 GMT -5
I've done my fair share of Lakers (80 lbs. or so) and that's just the way these billion year old and really hard rocks go.
All good advice in previous posts. I ultimately decided I would live with pits in most of mine, partly because I like the evidence of their origins, but also because there wouldn't be much rock left after tumbling them all out. For some of the better rocks I cut and grind out the flaws before tumbling. The WorkForce does a pretty good job of trimming them.
Chuck
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Post by superioragates on Sept 9, 2009 16:23:17 GMT -5
Ok, so I decided to try and trim one down with my little dremel....it took an hour & 1/2 to cut what little I did cut off, my fingers are numb from all the vibration, but I think it will turn out ok. It just so happens that it looks oval shaped, and fairly thin, but thats the way I found it, only in REALLY bad shape. Anyway, I cleaned it up, and threw it in with some of my other rough grinding rocks that have been in there forever and a day, and we'll see what happens. Who knows if it looks ok, maybe I'll throw some wire around it, and call it my first actual "cab"....of sorts!! LOL
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karock
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2007
Posts: 667
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Post by karock on Sept 9, 2009 20:23:42 GMT -5
I know this may sound crazy to some, but I have a very hard material that is hard to tumble out the pits and cracks. So what I do is run them by hand on a 60 grit flat lap to pre shape and remove the the bad areas (yes, one at a time). This really shortens the time needed on the first set of tumbles.
Karock
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Post by MyNewHobby on Sept 9, 2009 20:39:59 GMT -5
Marie .... honey ....
Breathe in ...... breathe out ..... breathe in ....breathe out ... and if this doesn't work ... smack the holy crap out of a pillow or take a jackhammer to concrete. ;D
I like one of the first responses .. patience Grasshopper .... and coming from me .... that says a lot.
That is why I have yet to work with lakers. I have a big batch of them, but do not .... I repeat .... I DO NOT have the patience for them. They are too hard .... WOOF
Lakers are really hard and take a reeeeeeeeeeeelly long time.
So ... you have two choices.
Pull the little suckers out, set them aside for a rainy day and work with something a little softer .... say like DIAMONDS!!! OR you can get back to getting busy with your wrapping!!!! I am waiting for the next set of pictures.
We all know that diamonds are the toughest .... but you get my point.
Whatever you decide to do ... all of us know that no matter what kind of batch you choose to do .... it is going to come out awesome!!!!
looking for jack hammer ..... where the hell did I put that dam thing ....
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Post by superioragates on Sept 9, 2009 20:55:33 GMT -5
LOL Julie, you crack me up! Breath in......lol I did do some trimmining on a couple small ones, and threw them in the tumbler to see what happens........ As far as the wrapping goes....THE STINKIN WIRE ISN'T HERE YET!!!!!! AAAANNNNDDDD we're breathing......lol I ordered the wire last Friday, but with the holiday, well, you get it....maybe tomorrow! Lakers?  ? Yeah, hard as heck, who was it on here said a person should start with something easy....like agates? WHAT ever!!! Easy.....mmmmmHmmmm! LOL Hubby doesn't have a jackhammer, but ..............he's got a sledge hammer, bet I could smack somethin with that!!!! I'm thinkin'.....maybe a laker or two.......just kiddin'! I know they will eventually get done.......maybe..........possibly......at some point.....while I'm still alive, it's just so danged frustrating!!!!! uggghhhh! |
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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 Sept 10, 2009 18:20:05 GMT -5
Keep 'em rolling' Marie! They'll get done eventually! I've had some going for it seems like 6 months, but they'll tell me when they're ready. They're old, they're Lakers, and they'll get done eventually. I've had some sucess with dremels, but usually as a finishing touch, right before the last rough grind.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Sept 10, 2009 18:36:10 GMT -5
Agree with karock, grinding helps.
Chuck
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Post by susand24224 on Sept 11, 2009 1:27:05 GMT -5
I use 45/70 grit often on harder rocks. Unless the rocks are *very* jagged (the ones I've been pounding with a hammer) I don't start with it. On more rounded rocks I generally don't use it unless I have run a few weeks in 60/90 and get frustrated with the slowness. I find the 46/70 good for general shaping of rocks that need a lot of help in that department, but no different from 60/90 when it comes to removing cracks or pits. I wouldn't use it with softer rocks--it was a mistake when I tried it with obsidian. It was the only stage where I had spalling.
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Post by frane on Sept 11, 2009 5:36:21 GMT -5
Time, changing/adding the grit weekly is the main thing. Most harder agates will take a good 12 weeks in rough to get a nice shape. I tried the strait 47-70 grit alone and it didn't completely break down or speed the process that much. I have started adding 1T of 47-70 and 2T of 60-90 in the 3lb lortone for the first few weeks of the rough tumble. The mixture seems to completely break down and seems to speed it up. I have also started saving those little pesky bits of stone that fly off when you are sawing. Throw them in as grit carriers for the rough and they break down and really help!
Fran
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Post by Toad on Sept 11, 2009 6:22:29 GMT -5
Another option would be to tumble other agates and jaspers and just use a few lakers for filler. That way you could see something progressing and at least a few lakers would be in the works.
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Post by superioragates on Sept 11, 2009 10:34:01 GMT -5
Well, the only thing with other agates is that I don't have anything BUT lakers to tumble. (With exception to a couple that Amber sent me....and I have other plans for those pretties!) I do however have some jaspers, but they are just as hard as the agates, and I have some quartz. I've decided that when this batch of tiny stuff comes out today, the next load I tumble is gonna have a bunch of stuff that doesn't need much shaping or anything, they mainly need the polishing steps. This way....I can feel I have accomplished something. The other 2 tumblers? yep, still running. My determination out weighs my impatience most of the time, so they will keep tumbling till they are done!! I may be bald, but they WILL get done!! LOL for the record though, I don't reccomend anyone new to rock tumbling start with lakers, they will be discouraged before they ever get them out of the tumblers, and quit the hobby out of frustration! LOL They should start with other agates or something, in my opinion. But then...what do I know? Thanx! Marie
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Sept 12, 2009 1:45:33 GMT -5
Paitience is the name of the game
It sometimes takes me 3 months with a small barrel if you want them done faster try a 6lb barrel the extra weight helps the grinding
Jack Yorkshire UK
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Post by superioragates on Sept 12, 2009 9:47:43 GMT -5
Bigger barrels is one of my "list" items....Now we are cutting rocks, as I got a workforce FINALLY, so hopefully things will start to move along a bit faster. I am also grinding out a lot of the pits and grooves, one rock at a time, but heh, what else do I have to do? !! I love it, aggravation and all.
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Post by NatureNut on Sept 12, 2009 10:23:28 GMT -5
Well that's a sure sign that the addiction is progressing nicely ;D .
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Post by superioragates on Sept 12, 2009 19:54:13 GMT -5
I have spent the past 2 days shaping rocks after my husband cuts them for me. I hope they all turn out in the tumblers, I got some rocks that.................Ooops, almost let the cat out of the bag! I'll let it be a surprise!
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Post by superioragates on Sept 13, 2009 10:21:38 GMT -5
In 2 days time, I am already seeing some huge progress in the rocks, especially the agates, that I trimmed, cut, and shaped with my dremel. NOW I'm excited again!!
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? Yeah, hard as heck, who was it on here said a person should start with something easy....like agates? WHAT ever!!! Easy.....mmmmmHmmmm! LOL Hubby doesn't have a jackhammer, but ..............he's got a sledge hammer, bet I could smack somethin with that!!!! I'm thinkin'.....maybe a laker or two.......just kiddin'! I know they will eventually get done.......maybe..........possibly......at some point.....while I'm still alive, it's just so danged frustrating!!!!! uggghhhh!
