NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004
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Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Oct 27, 2009 22:38:37 GMT -5
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Post by superioragates on Oct 27, 2009 23:07:22 GMT -5
Man, you always have the best tumbles!!!!! How long were these in for? forever?  !! LOL Mine NEVER look that good..........*sigh*............... great stuff there Steve!! Marie |
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Post by roswelljero on Oct 27, 2009 23:13:14 GMT -5
LOL I'd say 'pic heavy' is an understatement!  Dang! Those are some purty stones! Great shine too! Awesome, totally awesome! Is Jaspelite easy to work with? I picked up some when we were in Ishpeming, MI last year. Was afraid the layers would separate if I tumbled it. It's in a box somewhere around here. I just put a piece in the tumbler that looks like your first pic of Mary Ellen. Found it in the Mississippi River and been wondering if it was 'anything'. Thanks for sharing! Later, jeri |
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Post by tkrueger3 on Oct 27, 2009 23:21:30 GMT -5
Man, that is some shiny stuff! I, too, wonder how long you had it tumbling. I never get anything to come out looking like that, for sure!
All of them are luscious looking.
Tom
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Post by NatureNut on Oct 27, 2009 23:30:11 GMT -5
Wowie, wow, wow Steve! My fav is pic # 15. These sure are stupendous! Great job!
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renterdan
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2008
Posts: 82
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Post by renterdan on Oct 28, 2009 0:14:23 GMT -5
You know, I think I'm witnessing perfection!
Beautiful batch!
Thanks for sharing!
Dan.
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Post by Toad on Oct 28, 2009 6:02:27 GMT -5
Now that is a beautiful tumble. Beautiful shine, shape, and wonderful assortment of patterns and colors. I kept picking a favorite, then I'd look at the next picture. You have wonderful material to work with.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Oct 28, 2009 8:41:56 GMT -5
Nice looking stuff Steve! Do you grind your Lakers to take out the chips and pits before you tumble, or do you just tumble them until they're removed?
Do you know the name of the stuff in the 4th Jasper photo? I find a lot of that in a variety of colors. It seems like it's related to stromatolite; I'm guessing the orbs are formed by small organisms (algae?).
Chuck
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Post by Toad on Oct 28, 2009 8:57:25 GMT -5
Meant to ask, how long did the batch take - particularly in 60/90 (or whatever your first grind is).
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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 Oct 28, 2009 11:03:39 GMT -5
Marie, Toad & Tom... They tumbled a long, long time. I honestly don't know exactly how long some of the rocks had been rolling. I have 27 lbs. of material tumbling in 60/90 at all times in 2 tumblers. Every week, I rinse, inspect and recharge both barrels. If there are a few rocks ready to carry forward, I set them aside until I accumulate enough to polish 12 lbs. The barrels are refilled every re-charge to 3/4 full, accommodating rocks removed and reduction from grinding.
This helps me a little with watching the clock/calendar as far as patience goes. Every rock is different and not part of a batch yet. Each has it's own set of issues to resolve on it's own timetable. When it's ready, it moves forward. If it's not ready, back into 60/90. Bottom line... no timetable on 60/90. They're done when they're done. I think some go in to coarse, never to return! LOL!
Of course, handling my barrels like this means I'm comitted to tumbling the same MOHS for a while.
Both tumblers are full of rocks in various stages of rough grind. Some have been coarse ground for 3-4 months. Some of them only 4 weeks. Just depends on the rock and when it feels and looks right!
Jeri... Jaspelite is a great rock to work with. It does come in a billion different flavors. If it's good quality, it takes a great shine.
Chuck... I'm doing more and more prep work before I start. I'm trying to use the Work Force as much as possible before even the first grind. Then I like to let a few rounds of coarse reveal the character and flaws. If it looks like it's needs some help, I'll take it to the trim saw again or start fine tuning with the dremel. I was prepping more with the dremel than the saw before the 1st grind. But, I was going through a lot of bits only to find out the rock had no chance no matter how much prep I put into it. I now save the dremel work for rocks with great promise that only need a helping hand.
I think I know the orby algae rocks you are talking about. They seem hard and dense too. I've asked a couple guys up here about them and did hear something about fossilized algae. Not Stromatolite, but a different kind. I think I'm gonna bring some home next time and see how it works up.
Thanks for everyone's comments!
Steve
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Post by Bikerrandy on Oct 28, 2009 11:06:58 GMT -5
That's awesome!! Truly amazing batch of beautiful stuff, great job  |
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Post by Toad on Oct 28, 2009 11:09:12 GMT -5
Thanks, Steve. That's what I figured. You just can't rush it.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Oct 28, 2009 15:19:19 GMT -5
Oops, I meant the 4th preform photo. It does seem to be very hard and believe it will take a nice polish.
Your process with Lakers sounds very similar to mine. Depending on the rock, I'll often leave in the pits because I like: 1. having a bigger rock when it's done, and 2. showing the origin a little.
I agree that they're each on their own timetable, and it can be a very long one. I hate it when they chip in the last 2 stages. Ugh! They seem very hard, but also brittle.
Chuck
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Post by Toad on Oct 28, 2009 15:27:26 GMT -5
Hard makes for a nice polish - but not necessarily for durability - look at diamonds.
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Oct 28, 2009 17:22:03 GMT -5
Spectacular job! All look super, but I have a few faves... the second laker, where the band of red colour looks like it's dissolving into the clear area on the right side of the stone...the fifth laker for the super-tight banding... and my fave of all is the last laker for that incredible bubbly-orb pattern. Wow.
-Don
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Post by frane on Oct 28, 2009 17:51:52 GMT -5
:drool: :drool: WOW! I am loving this whole batch! Your preforms are simply Awesome!
Fran
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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 Oct 28, 2009 18:46:39 GMT -5
Chuck... You mean the real orby ones that are usually a dark burgundy? Yeah, I'm not sure on the nature of origin for those. The locals up here call that Jasper (Both the red and the burgundy). They do finish like glass though, as I've tumbled quite a few of them. I'm sure you've found some of those that look just as waxy as an agate and fracture like agates too. They are often attached to a section that grades in to more Hematite. You have me curious now! That's why I often say Jasper/Hematite instead of Jaspelite. I know the layered stuff is Jaspelite, but what is the common name for the orby stuff? Yeah... I've got plenty of rocks with pits and crystal impressions too. Some because they look cool, and some because... well they're just pity! The inclusion agates can have a real cool rind on them sometimes, especially if there's some copper involved. I've got a couple of them rolling right now for the next batch. |
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Oct 28, 2009 18:59:20 GMT -5
Always top notch. Top tumble, top photos, top material selection. Thanks for posting. -Carlos
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Oct 29, 2009 0:34:56 GMT -5
That is one fantastic bunch of rocks Steve. Wow!
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Post by montanamuskrat on Oct 29, 2009 0:44:04 GMT -5
Very nice batch, great shine. The red stones are beautiful - all of them are beautiful.
Debby and Tom
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!! LOL Mine NEVER look that good..........*sigh*...............
