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Post by connrock on Jan 23, 2011 12:31:40 GMT -5
bump
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Post by tntmom on Jan 23, 2011 16:00:09 GMT -5
I've bookmarked this thread, very informative. Looking forward to the progress!
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daisyd681
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2011
Posts: 104
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Post by daisyd681 on Jan 26, 2011 9:59:08 GMT -5
So.. those tiny chips are the reason you held the one group back? Is that because you don't want any dimples in them, or will they cause problems in the next stage? I'm curious because I like little dimples in stones, so I probably would have left those. I want to do some moonstone and labradorite in my next batch and I've read that they act similarly to apache tears. This is very helpful.
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Post by connrock on Jan 26, 2011 10:33:58 GMT -5
daisy,,, I held back the tears with dimples because I want the tears to be as perfectly shaped as possible and yes,they can cause problems down the line. I would say that if a 'dimple' is "rounded" concave area it won't cause much trouble for you but if it's sort of a sharp indentation it may keep grit/slurry in it and MUST be washed out VERY good between stages.
Let me add that washing isn't all that important during roughing because your going to re-rough again and again and again till the rocks are smooth. You do want to wash them enough to get the muck off and to be able to inspect them though.
I'm going to PM you with photos of petrified wood with dimples I did.
connrock
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daisyd681
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2011
Posts: 104
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Post by daisyd681 on Jan 26, 2011 10:49:46 GMT -5
Thank you! I need ll the help I can get!
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Post by susand24224 on Jan 30, 2011 1:09:37 GMT -5
Tom, how does one tell that pieces falling out are natural flaws rather than chips? It certainly would help me with adjustment of filler, etc. if I knew it was going to happen anyway.
Susan
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Post by connrock on Jan 30, 2011 9:15:09 GMT -5
Hi susan,, I don't know how you can tell this before hand because of the rough nature of the tears but I will say that the only "filler" I ever use in the roughing is another type of rock and not plastic pellets or ceramic media. I've used agate,jasper and flint as filler as well because it's the rough stage and these hard materials may even speed it up a tad? ? To me,,,the use of ceramic media and mostly plastic pellets slow down the roughing as they do what they are intended for,,,,cushioning,,which prevents the actual grinding action from reaching it's maximum potential! This is all theoretical but I do know I don't get chipping or galling doing tears this way. These natural "flaws' only appear after the 1st rough and ONLY with some tears.I've had tears that didn't have these flaws yet were done exactly the same way in my tumblers. Food for thought,,,,, Did you ever notice all the people who have gas problems doing tears? Do you think that maybe this gas comes from those little "bubble" looking flaws in some of the tears??? The "flaws' break and release the gas that was trapped in and or under them? Dunno but I've always thought about that! connrock
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dandd
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2010
Posts: 16
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Post by dandd on Jan 30, 2011 10:35:53 GMT -5
connrock, thanks for the lesson. I had a "I think I know" plan on how to tumble rocks until I saw your post - good job.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jan 31, 2011 2:03:44 GMT -5
Hi Tom
Comming on well
Great to see all the new members being helped
a great tutorial
Jack Yorkshire UK
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Post by connrock on Feb 3, 2011 7:51:56 GMT -5
bump
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Post by NatureNut on Feb 3, 2011 8:34:51 GMT -5
Tom, I love it when you do threads like this. Absolutely fascinating and well done. Looking forward to the next update... Jo
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Feb 6, 2011 4:27:08 GMT -5
Yes a great tutorial
Hope the Holiday is going well
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Feb 8, 2011 19:54:43 GMT -5
Wonderful. I will be following this story as well. Very helpful to see all the steps photo'd.
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Post by MyNewHobby on Feb 8, 2011 21:05:58 GMT -5
I am just seeing this now and wish I had seen it much sooner. Never too late I guess!
I am going to try this on my next batch.
Thanks Con for doing this ... I really appreciate it when long time hounds put themselves out here as teachers for those of us that just keep making the same mistakes. Maybe now, I can get a (close to) perfect batch.
As always ... my thanks and deepest gratitude
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charles kuchar
spending too much on rocks
getting ready for the second coming
Member since November 2010
Posts: 300
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Post by charles kuchar on Feb 11, 2011 7:32:59 GMT -5
this is informative to me, seeing the pictures of the rough and the project as it goes along. my thanks to you to take the time to take the pictures and post them. maybe i'll learn before i go to the next world to help build the new city. at least i hope i can. charlie
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Post by connrock on Feb 18, 2011 8:45:54 GMT -5
Well I'm back from my trip out west and hope to get the tears going again today or tomorrow! Sorry for the delay/interruption!
connrock
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Feb 18, 2011 9:52:12 GMT -5
Hi Tom,
Hope you had a good time, and your both "bigger and better " than ever ! ! !
Jack Yorkshire uk
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Post by connrock on Feb 26, 2011 11:09:29 GMT -5
bump
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Feb 27, 2011 3:33:00 GMT -5
Hi Tom, I hope the rocks survive ok in the 220G in the Lot"O"
Will any more flaws break out ?
Jack Yorkshire UK
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Post by connrock on Feb 27, 2011 7:47:57 GMT -5
Hi Jack, I've never had any more flaws break out after roughing but again I've never had Apache Tears with this many to begin with.
If more do break out I think I will just continue with the load unless the flaws have places to trap grit/polish in them.
Thanks for you interest!!!
connrock
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