riverrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2010
Posts: 1,395
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Post by riverrock on Aug 12, 2010 13:14:30 GMT -5
Now have to wait three weeks for the next batch Attachments:
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Post by Toad on Aug 13, 2010 9:25:28 GMT -5
Are you saying you take rocks through all stages in only 3 weeks???
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riverrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2010
Posts: 1,395
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Post by riverrock on Aug 14, 2010 17:59:31 GMT -5
no four weeks in total.
have two 15lb going right now.
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Post by Toad on Aug 14, 2010 20:46:37 GMT -5
You can generally use less cycle time with slabs and preforms. But most of the rocks I tumble (rough broken) usaually spend at least a month (4 cycles) in the 60/90 grind alone - but can easily be two months as well. All cycles after that are just one week. But it is all in what you like. I prefer smoother more rounded edges - other people prefer to leave it a bit more 'natural'.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Aug 15, 2010 1:56:42 GMT -5
Hi
My 2 p 's worth
Yes they look like they need a few mor weeks in Stage one
I generally give them 2 weeks in 220 as a good foundation for the future cycles
It realy pays dividends to get a good smooth surface
Free from the minute spots that is showing on the slabs in your picture better seen in #2 bottom RH corner rocks
Your getting there keep at it
Always remember Problems are made to be solved
Jack
Yorkshire UK
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Post by frane on Aug 15, 2010 10:28:12 GMT -5
I finally got to look at all of your posts here. Looks like you are taking on slabs and that is not always easy! Now, if you want them to look natural with a shine, you have it. I have gone to rock shows where folks have lightly tumbled there slabs to show the final result so they don't have to wet them and that is where you are with these.
If you are just starting out and trying to get some good polished stones, they take a bit longer. You may want to cut some smaller preforms out of your slabs and process them. They tend to do great! Watch out for the pitted areas in slabs or other rocks. They can hold grit from an earlier grind and contaminate a later round when it finally releases the grit and then you never get the shine you want. Also, make sure you have a variety of sizes for the best contact.
The great thing about rocks is that if you are not happy with how something came out, you can toss it back in with the next batch.
Keep it up, They will get better and better!
Fran
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riverrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2010
Posts: 1,395
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Post by riverrock on Aug 17, 2010 9:27:35 GMT -5
Thanks Fran.
I don,t have a Jennie yet so i put the whole slabs in to see what they would turn out like.
After each stage i run them through with ivory soap. And i am doing the poishing stange in a different tumber.
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Post by frane on Aug 17, 2010 12:42:38 GMT -5
I think you are doing great at this point. I have seen people on this board do some amazing stuff and find amazing ways to do it! If you want to make some shapes and don't have the equipment, don't let that stop you. I saw one person place a slab on the side of a table, cover the part on the table with a piece of wood. the part off the table was over a basket with towels in it. He tapped it with a hammer lightly and got a strait edge. Then he kept turning it and tapping until he had a nice small triangle and several smaller pieces to go in the tumbler. I have also seen people use tile nippers to trim out shapes so don't be afraid to experiment. It can be a lot of fun! Now, I have a tile saw that I got from Sears that I use to cut out preforms. It does better at it than my inland trim saw ever did. No matter what, just have fun with it!
Looking forward to your next posts!
Fran
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