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Post by MyNewHobby on Nov 2, 2009 16:14:42 GMT -5
Okay kids!!! I am now working on a list of things to do and one of the priorities is to create a lot of tumbling rough from a lot of the goodies I have gotten over the months.
I have a couple of questions ... I will be using both the Lortone(s) and the UV-10.
Since we are not talking about cabs and most of the rough is hard(er) than most, with the exception of the obsidian(s):
What size pieces should I be aiming for? 1", 2", etc?
Should I be trying to for more round(er) pieces or a variety of shapes and sizes?
I am sure that I will have more questions as I go along.
This is actually going to be the first and most major crack/smash em up I have done.
As always .... my humble thanks
Julie
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Post by Toad on Nov 2, 2009 16:18:13 GMT -5
You want a variety of shapes and sizes - helps make the grind more efficient.
Size depends on what you will do with the rock when it's done. Smaller ones would be more appropriate for jewelry. If you want a prety paperweight you would start with something maybe baseball size or larger - if your tumbler will swallow it.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Nov 2, 2009 16:52:14 GMT -5
I would cut them, rather than smash them. Smashing tends to introduce fractures.
Chuck
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Post by Toad on Nov 2, 2009 16:55:56 GMT -5
I agree with Chuck. The hammer works, but it can (and usually does) damage the stone. So your yield of finished stones might be lower. But in the end, you do what you gotta do.
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Post by roswelljero on Nov 2, 2009 17:30:36 GMT -5
If this is literally the first time... Here's some things I learned the hard way:
Wear long sleeves, pants, closed shoes, gloves and goggles... Same for anyone near you... Flying shards do cut...
Use a rock hammer so you don't get metal splinters.
Never smash rock on wood or concrete... Use a thick metal plate to disperse the impact.
If possible, do the smashing inside a cardboard box... Cuts down on the flying shards.
Save all the bits and pieces for filler.
You probably knew all that.
Later,
jeri
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Post by Toad on Nov 2, 2009 17:39:51 GMT -5
Good stuff, Jeri. In addition - wrap cover the rock with old t-shirts, blue jeans whatever. And take into account the toughness of the rock. If you anticipate a rock breaking easily, cover with lots of t-shirts and use a lighter touch with the hammer - otherwise you can atomize the rock. Maybe also use a chisel to concentrate/direct the force of the blow to a certain area - maybe a current fracture. Then if you have a tough rock (amphibolite) just cover with one layer of cloth to protect you from shards and whack as hard as you can.  The chisel might work here to because you direct all the force to a very small are - but the trade off is yuo usually don't swing the hammer as hard when the meathooks are in the way. |
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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 Nov 2, 2009 18:11:23 GMT -5
If, like me, you don't have a saw, I really recommend using a chisel. Much less wastage than just whacking, and far fewer fractures in the resulting rough. Toad is right about hitting your hand though, hurts like hell. I recommend using a chisel with a hand guard like in the photo below (actually, I threw out my old chisels that didn't have hand guards). And a 2 lb crack hammer (far right) will allow you to hit with a lot more force. Don't forget safety glasses!... rock splinters in the eye aren't cool. -Don  |
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Nov 2, 2009 20:56:43 GMT -5
Leather gloves, face shield, safety glasses or goggles if you wear glasses and the lenses are kind of small. You won't want to take your eyes off the rock for fear of hitting your hand so you must protect your eyes and face. When you avert your face you can get rock shards behind the glass lenses. Handling shattered rock is just like handling broken glass. Safety first and I bet you'll get good results. Have fun!
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renterdan
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2008
Posts: 82
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Post by renterdan on Nov 3, 2009 0:59:00 GMT -5
Hey Julie,
Only a couple hours ago I bashed up about 20 lbs of rough for my tumblers, just like Jeri suggested. I used a railroad tie plate in a cardboard box. Had to sharpen the chisel after every couple dozens hits. Look for fracture lines if there are any. Eye protection of course! Ear muffs help too! A pretty good work out and a great stress reliever! Kinda fun, too!
Good luck and have fun!
Dan.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Nov 4, 2009 12:30:10 GMT -5
The UV-10 can handle a 2 inch rock with no problem. What size are the Lortones? A Lortone barrel with a capacity of 12 pounds will handle a 2 inch rock too, a 6 pounder may handle a couple of them as well but I wouldn't put them in anything much smaller.
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tomcloss
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 158
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Post by tomcloss on Nov 4, 2009 16:18:22 GMT -5
If you don't have any small pieces you can get some cermic filler. I try to keep a variety of sizes for a good tumble.
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grandpabb
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2009
Posts: 6
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Post by grandpabb on Nov 4, 2009 20:54:40 GMT -5
Grandpa BB I have a model B Tumbler and started about 2weeks ago.
Filled barrel with rocks I collected. After coarse grind I set up for fine grind I see I have more room . Sould I have added a filler with them?
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Post by Toad on Nov 4, 2009 21:00:01 GMT -5
Only filler that has been through the coarse grind also - unless you're talking plastic pellets.
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Post by roswelljero on Nov 9, 2009 11:07:03 GMT -5
How did the "crack/smash em up" go?
Later,
jeri
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Post by MyNewHobby on Nov 9, 2009 15:44:07 GMT -5
Hi All!
I have not had the chance to do my crack em & smash em yet. Will get to it soon.
As always
Julie
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The chisel might work here to because you direct all the force to a very small are - but the trade off is yuo usually don't swing the hammer as hard when the meathooks are in the way.
