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Post by connrock on Mar 21, 2011 8:07:55 GMT -5
quartz,,, Thanks for the kind words! I think the reason I am so frustrated is that because when I started this it was a walk in the park for me as I have done a LOT of Tears in the past and they all came out perfect! When those first little "bubbles' showed up it was a first for me and I just figured that after continuing with the process they would be ground down and we'd be off and running again! LOL
If nothing else,,,,this whole thread proves that no matter how long you've been at "anything",,,,you can and will still learn about it!
connrock
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Post by connrock on Mar 21, 2011 8:20:36 GMT -5
susan, These Tears haven't see the last of me yet!
I think you know by now that I am one stubborn man and HATE to get beat by ANYTHING I attempt to do!
I am re-working the Tears as we "speak" and am keeping a VERY close eye on them trying to "capture' the surfaces between the layers of those tiny bubbles!
"IF" I am right(LOL) they may be ready today to go into polish again!
I've run them through the 1000 grit stage 3 times now attempting to get the surfaces just right but it's not an easy thing to do as those "bubbles" keep showing up!
I may be beating a dead horse here but I'll keep trying until these little stinkers are so small they become black sand!
Thanks for your comments and support!
connrock
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Mar 22, 2011 2:57:51 GMT -5
Hi Tom
Is there anyway you can check befor you buy (or work a batch)
Like would the bubbles show up on a rough piece if you used a 10X loupe ?
just wondering
Jack Yorkshire uk
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Post by connrock on Mar 22, 2011 9:02:52 GMT -5
Hi Jack,,, I doubt if these bubbles could be detected before hand. Maybe using a VERY strong light and looking through them but I doubt if that would work either.
connrock
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Post by connrock on May 31, 2011 7:11:32 GMT -5
Go to the end of page 1 to my latest posting on the infamous Tears!
connrock
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on May 31, 2011 8:21:40 GMT -5
THEY SHOULD STICKY THIS ONE!!!!! STU
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on May 31, 2011 9:18:18 GMT -5
All right, now despite your complaints about the rough, that is one awesome finished batch of tears. I find most obsidian has some flaws and for some reason I find the beautiful Mexican rainbow stuff to be one of the worst for those bubbles. That being said though, obsidian done properly and with care as you have done it, yields some very cool looking stones. Great job and terrific tutorial....Mel
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on May 31, 2011 11:25:25 GMT -5
Nice job Tom! Great explanations of your process and I think that is an excellent result given the rough. You continue to be an inspiration to me.
Chuck
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Post by connrock on Jun 1, 2011 6:50:29 GMT -5
Stu,, This site has grown soooooooo much over the past few years that it's sometimes very difficult to find what you're looking for. Mark has done such a wonderful job of turning a rock tumbling site into the best source of rock related information on the web but with all of this information I think it's almost impossible to "catalog" it. I've done quite a few tutorials,mostly on tumbling,and they do get lost by the wayside but they ARE there,,,,,if you look for them long enough! LOL
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Post by connrock on Jun 1, 2011 7:08:21 GMT -5
Mel,,,, Thanks,,,,
You're absolutely right about the different types of obsidian being problematic at times. I haven't had much luck at all mixing them together in a single batch but if they're done separately I have pretty good results.
I was pretty upset over the results I got on these Tears but after I thought about it I think it actually was a very good experience for all of us to witness. I think it may answer a lot of questions we have about getting bad results with not only Tears but with many other types of rocks we try to polish?
I know that if I was a newbie and this was my first attempt at doing Tears I would be up a wall over them and never try them again,,,,,wondering where I went wrong and thinking I did something along the way that I just can not figure out!
I DO know that I learned a LOT from doing this batch and I've done my share of Tears in the past!
If there was a video camera hidden in my shop while I was doing these Tears it would have to be "R" rated with all the cussing I was doing!!! LOL
connrock
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Post by connrock on Jun 1, 2011 7:23:40 GMT -5
Chuck,,, Thanks,,, I worked with a LOT of people who wouldn't show me or even try to teach me how to do anything.They even tried to "mask' what they were doing so I wouldn't learn and do it wrong!I had to work VERY hard to learn and do my job well and even though all those fools tried not to teach me anything they actually did! They taught me to help and teach others anything I could possibly could! I don't know much about anything but what I do know I am willing to share with anyone who is willing to learn!
For you to say that I inspired you is the best gift I could possibly wish for! Thanks again,,,,
connrock
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Post by rockrookie on Jun 1, 2011 7:27:12 GMT -5
BEAUTIES !!!!! great step by step pictures !! --paul
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Post by connrock on Jun 2, 2011 7:02:21 GMT -5
Thanks Paul!
connrock
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Jun 2, 2011 10:50:36 GMT -5
As a nubie I am constantly searching the boards for information which I than suck up like a human sponge. Every now and than I come across a write up that causes me to stop and take pause to contemplate, contemplate not what I had just read but to contemplate about the individual who wrote it. To think that a person would act so selflessly and create such a MASTERPIECE inspires me in and of itself. I am inspired not only by the results that have been achieved but I am also inspired to myself in the future be able post a thread of similar depth as this one. As information is the life blood of any forum I feel that this thread should be made a sticky. As such it can serve as being a source of inspiration for all here now and in the future.
Thanks Connrocks for a wonderful tutorial.
Stu
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
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Post by Fossilman on Jun 2, 2011 11:42:43 GMT -5
Chuck,,, Thanks,,, I worked with a LOT of people who wouldn't show me or even try to teach me how to do anything.They even tried to "mask' what they were doing so I wouldn't learn and do it wrong!I had to work VERY hard to learn and do my job well and even though all those fools tried not to teach me anything they actually did! They taught me to help and teach others anything I could possibly could! I don't know much about anything but what I do know I am willing to share with anyone who is willing to learn! For you to say that I inspired you is the best gift I could possibly wish for! Thanks again,,,, connrock I applaud what you say!!!!! Had the same thing happen to me,when I was being taught and wanting to learn fossils....... I teach everyone whom wants to learn. Your a good person for this..........Thank you!!!!
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Post by ColtChainmailJewelryDesigns on Jun 2, 2011 13:27:39 GMT -5
Wow, your a fighter! A whole 5 months with those! After 2 months I think I would be done with that batch, lol. Too much pressure!!!!
Great photos, and updates! Now to read all the feedback for my own learning of tumbling. and of corse im book marking this!
~Colt
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Post by connrock on Jun 3, 2011 8:15:39 GMT -5
Stu,, It's my pleasure!
connrock
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Post by connrock on Jun 3, 2011 8:22:33 GMT -5
Fossilman,,, Thanks,,,, I think that people who won't show you about or how to do things have some sort of inner complex??? I think in their minds they think if you know as much,,,,or God forbid more then they do about any given subject,it makes them feel inferior,,,,er suthin??
Dunno,,,, but I for one don't ever want to be like that!
connrock
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Post by connrock on Jun 3, 2011 8:36:51 GMT -5
Colt,,, I'm not as much of a "fighter" as I am thick headed and don't want to be beat by just about anything I try to do!
One "option" I do frequent about potential "failures" is that when I face one I put that project on the back shelf and let my subconscious mind work on it until I finally figure out how to do it or it just sits there.
In most cases though,,,,I do get that "mind flash" that figures out the problem I "was" faced with and just go on to the next!
I think the worse thing anyone can do is just flat out give up on almost anything!
I remember back in 1957 I was inspired by my sisters high school graduation motto,,,,, "Nothing is impossible to a willing heart"
I don't know why that stuck with me all these years but I am glad that it did cuz it's helped me to get through a LOT of problems!
connrock
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catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Post by catskillrocks on Jun 3, 2011 21:26:21 GMT -5
Tom, so many have commented about your endeavor here, I really don't have much to add. What shines through is much more than a world class lapidary, but a generous & giving man, willing to put himself on the line whether pass or fail, nothing hidden. In this case, as well as your other hobbies, you have passed with flying colors.
Tom, you ARE an inspiration. It is this kind of self giving involvement by you and many others on this board that makes it what it is. It is like family, and I am glad to be a part of it. You just make it so much more.
Thank you,
Don
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