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Post by NatureNut on May 21, 2010 8:33:50 GMT -5
Yeah! Keep us informed on how they are going, will you? Best of luck Connrock! Jo
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Post by Tonyterner on May 21, 2010 9:55:11 GMT -5
I've got a bunch of Tom's tumbles so I know how good he is and how seriously he takes this contest. I know he will do his best. Good luck to everyone who entered.
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Post by susand24224 on May 21, 2010 11:01:22 GMT -5
I checked the batch last night (four pound tumbler). There was already a considerable reduction in size and the water was red/brown. I know some of that stuff was next to impossible to break, so I am assuming a great variance in hardness. Also, there wasn't much of a slurry forming, so some pellets went in with the ceramics.
I guess the moral is keep a very close eye and be prepared to separate into two batches--at least for the ones I received.
Susan
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Post by connrock on May 22, 2010 8:39:08 GMT -5
Jo,
Like I said before I've never tumbled this material so like Susan I'm a newbie at it,,,,,again,,,,,,,sill??? LOL
Ya gotta love it!
connrock
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Post by rockrookie on May 22, 2010 20:10:57 GMT -5
i just started a thread in member photo section . if anyone wants to add their pictures .
--paul
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,496
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Post by Sabre52 on May 24, 2010 0:10:58 GMT -5
Man, I am so going to be watching this thread. I just finished a load in my UV-10 and had thrown in some south Texas rhyolite just for the heck of it and as usual with wonderstone and other rhyolites, they didn't polish worth a darn. I ran them extra long in all stages too. From the picture someone posted of that contest material, it does look like rhyolite so I think you all are in for a real challenge this year and I can't wait to see the results! It would be super cool if some of you would post step by step pics with info on any special techniques you might employ......Mel
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Post by susand24224 on May 24, 2010 1:04:23 GMT -5
Mel, I think only parts of it are Rhyolite, which should make it even worse.  Some of the more maroon pieces are sort of waxy like some jaspers. I took mine out of first week of 60/90 tonight and there is a distinct difference between the whiter parts and the redder parts. I have this distinct dread of polishing all of the light colored ones singly with a lot of ceramics! Also, with similar size chunks, the redder ones were much heavier than the lighter ones. Sure wish I could find 3.5" floppy disks so I could take photos with my dinosaur Sony Mavica. Susan |
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,496
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Post by Sabre52 on May 25, 2010 19:08:54 GMT -5
Susan, Yep unfortunately most those wonderstone type rhyolites often have differences in how much each layer has been impregnated with silica and differences in porosity maybe due to how much the particular layer has been compressed during formation. The Bulls Eye Jasper from the Goldfield gem claims and hickoryite are the only stuff of that type I've had much luck with. The rest, I usually consider myself lucky to get an overall satin finish with just a touch of shine.....Mel
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Post by susand24224 on Jun 1, 2010 0:55:29 GMT -5
Rocks came out of their third week of 60.90--most will need at least a few more weeks. Some are getting pinhole pricks, some are developing cracks that look like they should be hiding crystal which at least so far is not visible. Most are plugging along somewhat normally. A few look (and are acting like) Moakite (sp?) Jasper. Thanks to catskill rocks, I now have 3.5" floppies to take photos--which I did--and will post in the members section when I finally track down the floppy disk attachment to my lap top.
How are everyone else's doing?
Susan
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Post by connrock on Jun 1, 2010 7:06:35 GMT -5
Hi Susan,
Mine are due to come out of the 2nd rough tomorrow.
I was amazed at how well they came out of the first rough as they were starting to round off already!
I only have enough 60/90 for 1 more rough so I will have to go to either 46/70 or 220.I have plenty of those grits but no more 60/90 and "ma-funds-er-low" so that's that! LOL
Retirement is GREAT but the pay stinks! LOL
Good Luck!
connrock
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Post by rockrookie on Jun 1, 2010 13:37:04 GMT -5
i added more grit (46-40 ) yesterday . i have not rinsed mine out , yet . i just reached in and grabbed a few to examine .
Good Luck !!
--paul
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Post by NatureNut on Jun 1, 2010 14:51:22 GMT -5
Best of luck Everyone!
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Post by susand24224 on Jun 5, 2010 1:59:21 GMT -5
Hey, Rockrookie,
I think your method of opening and adding more grit may be the ticket. I'm not getting the slurry I want and that may help thicken it up a bit.
Susan
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Post by connrock on Jun 25, 2010 8:46:12 GMT -5
Just thought I'd check in here,,,,
Well after 5 roughs I'm still roughing away.
Some of the rocks are looking "almost" there but it may take a few more times to get them ready for the next stage.
GOOD LUCK ALL!!
connrock
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Post by connrock on Jul 2, 2010 8:23:23 GMT -5
I just today (7/2/10) posted photo's in the Members Photo's section,,,,
connrock
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jasperblue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Diggin' This
Member since August 2010
Posts: 141
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Post by jasperblue on Aug 13, 2010 22:15:05 GMT -5
Yes. I' a newbee here, but I did enter the contest. My rocks are in the fine (400 grit) stage right now and are lookin' pretty good. I may have trouble parting with them once they're done. I'll try to figure out how to post photos and see what you all think. -Chris
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Post by susand24224 on Aug 14, 2010 2:08:40 GMT -5
Mine just came out of 500 and will go into 1000 in the morning when I wake up enough to do it. They sure are pretty--not as rounded as I would like but between the recurring pits and the lack of time, I don't want to take them back to larger grit.
I just took a few photos and will post one in the members section. Mel was right--these are going to be a bear to polish.
Also, thanks to Connrock who has traded ideas, observations and thoughts with me throughout this process, with a healthy dose of babysitting thrown in!
Susan
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Post by Original Admin on Aug 21, 2010 16:58:49 GMT -5
Hi - i went to the link to the site - but it looks like the sites dead with some duff ads on it. No sign of a comp now. I was hoping to follow this - can anyone give me new links to where the comp is being run from.
Cheers
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Post by susand24224 on Aug 22, 2010 12:23:04 GMT -5
I looked too and couldn't find anything. A google search of the rock club hosting the competition brough me back to the now defunct website. There is an e-mail on the rules, which is contest@orovillerocks.com. Perhaps this still works (?) and can provide information.
One intersting thing I found is that our initial judge, Steve Hart, is the president of the Club.
Susan
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jasperblue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Diggin' This
Member since August 2010
Posts: 141
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Post by jasperblue on Aug 31, 2010 0:14:46 GMT -5
Uh-Oh! Just pulled mine out of 'polish' today,Cerium Oxide, and it looks like they're going to have to go back in. The regular rocks I put in for bulk look great though. These pretty Jaspers are quite a challenge & time is running out! Anyone having any luck with these? -Chris
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Some of the more maroon pieces are sort of waxy like some jaspers. I took mine out of first week of 60/90 tonight and there is a distinct difference between the whiter parts and the redder parts. I have this distinct dread of polishing all of the light colored ones singly with a lot of ceramics! 
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Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
