Haleysdream
has rocks in the head
K-9 unit Rock Hounds
Member since January 2010
Posts: 654
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Post by Haleysdream on Mar 24, 2010 20:04:00 GMT -5
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Haleysdream
has rocks in the head
K-9 unit Rock Hounds
Member since January 2010
Posts: 654
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Post by Haleysdream on Mar 24, 2010 20:06:03 GMT -5
Ok I can see that the photos need to be way reduced. Sorry I'm still new at this.
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bpaul
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2009
Posts: 21
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Post by bpaul on Mar 24, 2010 21:56:01 GMT -5
A lot of these look pretty nice. As I've been learning, the key to Lakers and other hard stuff is to leave it in the coarse grit for what seems like forever. The banding is some of these would be worth running them through a full cycle again. The pits and edges might take a month or two to get rid of, but they will go.
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Post by susand24224 on Mar 24, 2010 22:23:31 GMT -5
I agree with bpaul. They take a loooong time in 60/90 first grind--but you were a lot more patient with your first tumbles than I was! The pits, etc. won't come out in later grinds (and sometimes not in the first). When I went back later and looked at my first few batches, I ended up tossing almost all of them back into 60/90 grind.
It looks like you got a great polish, though, so you've got the steps down well. Just a little more time in 60/90 to get rid of some of the imperfections and they will be perfect!
Susan
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karock
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2007
Posts: 667
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Post by karock on Mar 25, 2010 0:59:23 GMT -5
I agree w last post.
When some of the stones have angled corners they might crash on to the next stone and pit it which is ok for rounding the edges but not for getting rid of small pits .
If you mix in other smaller media the stones will more likely be "sliding" on one another which is what you want after they are rounded. Just a thought.
I am running a batch of Australian Lace right now. I first rounded them of with a 40 grit wheel and so far three weeks in 60/90.
Really nice colors - Sweet polish.
Karock
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Post by rockrookie on Mar 25, 2010 12:37:34 GMT -5
for still being a little rough . you did get a great shine on them . in time you learn patience .
they do look much better than mine did in my 1st --10 plus batches . keep up the good work .
--paul
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Post by Bikerrandy on Mar 26, 2010 20:21:08 GMT -5
I missed this post, beautiful rocks! You got an awesome shine on them!!  |
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Mar 26, 2010 20:52:47 GMT -5
I think they're great! Your photos, just remember that 900 wide is about as wide as you really need to go, that fills most screens and doesn't kill people using an 800 wide setting. I trim all of my photos and resize to 680 wide, that way anyone on dial-up doesn't have any delay in looking at them. Other than that, your photos really are great, I love that last one! If you don't have software to resize your photos let me know, I've got some free beta ware that is great on working with photos.
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Post by frane on Mar 30, 2010 8:13:04 GMT -5
I have to agree with the others here. You did a great job for taking them right through how most tumblers recommend to do. The real way to get them completed the way you will love them is to run them in course, rinsing and recharging every 5-7 days for weeks or even months. From the looks of the pictures, I would say they need about 6 more weeks in rough. Pull the rounded ones out and set aside to continue when you are cleaning the load to inspect and add grit. Pretty soon, you will have enough to move forward to the next stage. They are all about the same hardness so they will be fine to run together.
Another thing you can do is use them for additions to other loads that you run when you find you need filler. The great thing about rock tumbling is that you can always go back a few steps and restart to get the results you want.
I think you did great for going right through. I would never have gotten the shine that you did!
Fran
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