Mazanec
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2004
Posts: 355
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Post by Mazanec on Apr 4, 2004 13:14:12 GMT -5
Given where I live and my zero experience, I have a hunch that I will be ordering rocks online quite a bit. How do I decide what to get? I don't want to get too few to go through a cycle, and I certainly don't want to mix up the wrong kind of rocks. Do I need different sizes and/or shapes? What kinds can I mix? How would you go about picking an order for a beginner?
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Post by hermatite on Apr 4, 2004 13:27:32 GMT -5
I had very good results with my beginner batch by doing the following. I ordered a batch of mixed rocks from the rockshed. I figured that they'd know better than me what to mix with what and it turned out fine. I also order a 3 lb bag as that's how big my barrels are. However, after following Andy's advice (the four steps for tumbling - to be found on the homepage) and I broke up a lot of the rocks into smaller sizes, I actually got about one and a half barrels out of that first 3 pound bag. I orderd the grits and pellets as well. As I recall, four barrels, the grit, polish, pellets and rough came to just over $100 including shipping. I'm really happy going the mixed rocks route and consider myself very much a beginner. However, I know many others have gone with one load full of one type of stone and they'll be able to give you better advice on that. I've found it to be kind of a trial and error thing...some of the rocks got tossed back for a second round through the grits. This batch I recharged the coarse grit twice and found the rocks shaped a lot better.
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Apr 4, 2004 13:52:38 GMT -5
Here is your rock shopping mall! www.thegemshop.com What I would recommend is to simply go through and pick out the stuff that either looks cool or sounds cool. I'm sure you'll be like a little kid in a candy store once you see the selection of rough. The rules for which rocks can be tumbled with which are listed in the "Moh's Scale." 1. Talc 2. Gupsum 3. Calcite 4. Flourite 5. Apatite 6. Orthoclase 7. Quartz 8. Topaz 9. Corundum 10. Diamond The only types of rock you should be concern with at this ponit are quartz type rocks; such as Jasper, agate and quartz. These are the easiest type of rock for the beginer and they all have a hardness of 6.5 - 7. Since they're are of the same hardness you can tumbler any combination of agate, jasper ect.. you want. As far as rock sizes go, they should be from as little as 1/2" to 1-1/2" With everything in detween.
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Mazanec
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2004
Posts: 355
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Post by Mazanec on Apr 4, 2004 14:04:10 GMT -5
If I'm ever able to start hunting them myself, or I get my order snafued somehow, what happens if I mix hardness? Will the softer ones just evaporate, so I would have to run another load ? Would I have to combine the results and go again to make sure they are all the same hardness? What happens with size when you order online? Do they mix the sizes for you? Would I have to make several orders? What happens if they are all the same size?
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Apr 4, 2004 14:15:08 GMT -5
Well first off, if you mix hardnesses the softer stones will not shine. Period! When you order the stones, they will most likely be solid pieces. The size depends on how many pounds per rock type. You can break them up with a clod chisle and a hammer, or you can order a "tumbler mix." Pre-made mixes always have rocks of the same hardness. However, you never know what you're going to get... I'd say start out with some agates and jaspers. It will keep things simple. As time goes on and you read more about the hobby, you'll gain a better understanding of different types of rocks.
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Post by Tom Mazanec on Apr 4, 2004 16:14:53 GMT -5
My boss loves native American Indianns and she would likely like apache tears. Are they tough for beginnnners?
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Apr 4, 2004 17:17:28 GMT -5
They aren't tough. However, you'll need to know the method in which to polish them.
Here it is:
1. 60/90 grit 1 week or longer depending on how you like your shapes. If you go longer then 1 week recharge the grit every week.
2. 120/220 grit 1 week. You may need to add plastic pellets at this point if the rock level is below 50%. Bring the level up to 75% with pellets if needed.
3. 500 (or other fine grit) 5 days. Use pellets to bring the level uo to 75%. Plastic pellets are essential.
4. 1000 aluminum oxide grit 5 days. Use pellets to bring the level uo to 75%. Plastic pellets are essential.
5. Tin oxide polish 1 - 2 weeks. It is essential that you use tin oxide polish. Use pellets to bring the level uo to 75%. Plastic pellets are essential as well.
Never use the same pellets for subsequent grits and make sure you have a separate "polish only" barrel.
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Mazanec
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2004
Posts: 355
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Post by Mazanec on Apr 5, 2004 11:16:53 GMT -5
Thanks, people. I had a work break yesterday, which is why I did not use my normal login. I will not likely be able to go to the shop this week, will try to next week.
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Mazanec
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2004
Posts: 355
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Post by Mazanec on Apr 5, 2004 23:48:36 GMT -5
Can I also check something out? When there is an entry for a type of stones in one of these catalogs, say Mexican Mix, they are all suitable for tumbling together, right? I don't have to sort them or anything like that, correct?
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Apr 6, 2004 3:06:39 GMT -5
That's correct.
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