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Post by connrock on Jun 20, 2012 9:48:54 GMT -5
Susan it sounds like you have your hands full and I'm sure all the others are in the same boat! For what it's worth,,,the 1st year of the competition I was ready to pack it in with some of the lousiest results I ever had. I had a VERY hard time making the 1/2 lb requirement and was disgusted with the whole thing. I was actually embarrassed of what I sent in! I didn't win the "gold" but I managed to get 3rd place.
I know it's a LOT of work but it's still early and my suggestion is to do each "type" of wood separately so it can be treated accordingly on it's own. Some wood is a bear to finish off well as it all has different hardness's within itself and trying to do several different 'types" from different locals is a real toughy!
Common lady,,,don't you dare give up,,,,you ARE a pro at this and I'm expecting to see results that reflect this! When the goin gets tough,,,the tough get goin and you're one tough cookie!
Good Luck,,,
connrock
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Post by gingerkid on Jun 20, 2012 10:08:22 GMT -5
Haven't tumbled anything before, but wondered who is holding the World Rock Tumbling Championship since y'all had to fill out applications to enter it? Good luck to all that entered!!
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Post by susand24224 on Jun 21, 2012 0:00:56 GMT -5
Tom! So good to hear from you, and thanks for the pep talk. I'm not giving up, I'm facing the fact that the rocks look baaad.
I've peaked at the squiggly ones now, and they are every bit as bad as I expected them to be. The good news is that the polish embedded permanently in the undercut areas gives it a nice accent. There is nothing I can do to fix this, nor can I think of anything I should have done differently.
I've got the petrified wood in three different tumblers. The jaspery stuff is in with some rhyolite/jasper, the squiggly wood and pure common opal were tumbled individually in the vibe, and the petrified charcoal is in with some feldspar, etc. material. As you know, I've tumbled lots of common opal, but this is more prone to cracks. Ditto on the jaspery wood and the charcoal wood, but I've never seen the squiggly stuff before.
You are so right about different tumblers, and when I got the wood it struck me as kind of unfair. Those with only a single rotary have little chance of even coming near finishing all of this wood. I have enough tumblers that separation is not a problem for me, the the instructions did not say "do not try this unless you are tumbler blessed."
Gingerkid, I think it is Feather River Lapidary Club (?) or something like that in California. If you google World Rock Tumbling Competition, I am sure you will find the competition, although it is too late to enter (and suffer) this year.
Susan
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Post by connrock on Jun 21, 2012 6:58:55 GMT -5
Susan, After reading your posts I'm a bit mad at myself for not entering this year,,,,,NOT that I would have a chance of finally winning it,but just for the challenge ,,,,and frustration! LOL You nailed it last year and I know you'll do well this year too! Good luck,,,, Gingerkid,, Here's a link to the Home page,,, orovillerocks.com/Here's a link to the Competition page,,, orovillerocks.com/announcements/Rock%20Tumbling%20Contest.htmconnrock
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jun 22, 2012 2:42:50 GMT -5
Id like a go also next year or is it only USA applicants only ? or maybe not after reading Susans letter again Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
That Arizona Pet wood looks awsome
jack Yorkshire uk
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Post by connrock on Jun 22, 2012 6:33:30 GMT -5
Jack,,, It's a "World Wide" competition so anyone can enter! connrock
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Post by susand24224 on Jun 22, 2012 13:11:47 GMT -5
Well, Jack, misery loves company, so yes, please compete next year! Just kidding--it would be truly boring to be tumbling all near perfect Mohs 7 stuff, and I do take comfort in Connrock's observation that everyone's rock probably look horrible. The club advises in advance what the rocks will be--and they don't choose easy ones. The jasper/rhyolite we had the past two years was absolutely beautiful and progressed nicely--then all of a sudden it developed cracks (translation: caverns) and holes throughout. Right when I got the hang of it they switched to the wood. Perhaps they will not have the wood next year.
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Post by connrock on Jun 23, 2012 8:00:43 GMT -5
,,,,,,,,,,I heard that next years rocks of choice will be sandstone! LOL So,,,,things could be worse! LOL
Have fun! connrock
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Post by gingerkid on Jun 26, 2012 13:06:12 GMT -5
Thanks for the links, connrock! Wondered how everyone is doing with their rocks? Susan?
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Post by susand24224 on Jun 26, 2012 21:14:58 GMT -5
The rocks hate me. It is becoming mutual.
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Post by tntmom on Jun 27, 2012 1:38:23 GMT -5
Paul and Susan ~ You guys can't not win!!! You're both AWESOME and RTH members always place in the top three!!!!
Susan, You sent me some tumbled wood and opal and it's TO DIE FOR! Don't doubt yourself......... I've seen first hand what you do...... searching for words....... uh..... no words because it's too beautiful!!!
Girlfriend, you know YOU ROCK!!!!!
Good luck to both of you!!! I know you guys will do GREAT!
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Post by NatureNut on Jun 27, 2012 7:02:13 GMT -5
Hang in, Susan. If you're having challenges, figure that others are too. Stick with it and show them the meaning of unconditional love. Jo
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Post by susand24224 on Jun 27, 2012 11:50:03 GMT -5
Krystee and Naturenut, you guys are the best! This wood is truly difficult. It is full of fractures, and I have faced the fact that the fractures will be part and parcel of the finished product. I likely will omit the polish stage on some of it since I am getting a decent polish after a few Lot-O days in 1000 grit and am concerned that polish will make it worse. And--backing up a stage just makes the undercutting/fractures worse, so it definitely will be a final judgment call.
Thanks again for your support for the world's worst tumbles!
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Post by connrock on Jun 28, 2012 6:34:38 GMT -5
I have some bad rocks that won't tumble. I began to dismay and to fumble.
The harder I tried, They all have just died, And now I just sit here and grumble!
Bear down girl,,,,Belly up to the bar,,,Git-er-done! ;D
connrock
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Jun 28, 2012 19:05:59 GMT -5
Susan,I've tumbled quite a bit of Arizona wood,and its a rare piece that is not fractured or no other issues going on.Only a few opalized small pieces have come out unscathed.I'm sure all entered have the same problem.Hang in there,they will come out in the wash.
snuffy
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Post by susand24224 on Jun 28, 2012 19:34:32 GMT -5
Tom, my friend! I feel compelled to say that I am not grumbling, I am accepting reality. Well, maybe I'm grumbling a little. . .
Snuffy, You should have been the king this competition. I'm so sorry that you and Tom didn't enter.
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Jun 28, 2012 19:42:17 GMT -5
I could have looked through my 60 or 70 lbs and found a half lb that was good enough,maybe. ;D
snuffy
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Post by connrock on Jun 29, 2012 8:27:28 GMT -5
Susan I know you're not grumbling,,,I was just funnin!
I once knew a smart gal named Susan, She never did care much for loosin.
When the goin got tough, She gave it her guff, And her #1 rocks they'll be choosin!
connrock
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jul 1, 2012 12:54:00 GMT -5
I can't find pictures of the winning rocks from previous years' contests. Are they posted somewhere?
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Post by susand24224 on Jul 1, 2012 14:59:30 GMT -5
There is a small photo on the club's website, and they were supposed to send out photos to the contestants, but I never got them. I didn't take any because I didn't have a functioning camera.
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