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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 1, 2013 11:07:06 GMT -5
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Geoff
spending too much on rocks
Please add 1074 to my post number.
Member since December 2012
Posts: 446
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Post by Geoff on Jan 1, 2013 12:42:14 GMT -5
Looks good, great shine!
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jan 1, 2013 13:39:50 GMT -5
That is a well rounded,well polished batch of AAA stones.What is your secret.What type of tumbler.How long.Must have pre ground-w/what pregrinder?Tell me your secrets Jugglerman
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jan 1, 2013 13:54:45 GMT -5
wow, great batch rob! that second photo is an awesome piece of bruneau jasper. That one deserves a wire wrap or something to make it a pendant.
are you still just doing 24 hrs in polish or are you going longer now? do you add borax to your polish step? if so how much?
thanks Chuck
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jan 1, 2013 17:57:50 GMT -5
Maybe he is going to make us pay him Chuck:>
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 1, 2013 20:47:42 GMT -5
Sorry Chuck and James. I got busy with other stuff today and forgot I posted pictures this morning.
James, I did not pre shape the rocks, but I occasionally remove a rock that has a bad flaw and either cut that part off with my saw or grind it off. I start my rocks in a rotary tumbler with 60/90 grit, and then move them to my Lot-O tumbler for the rest of the stages. My son and I are very picky about what gets moved out of the 60/90 stage. We get all the holes out. Sometimes we move on stuff with a crack as long as you can't feel it on the outside. Sometimes I cut the rock along the crack and throw it back in. Our rocks spend a lot of time in the first stage.
Connrock gave me some advice this summer as I was struggling to tumble Kona dolomite. I used his basic method but did everything for three days instead of two. I also use a different polish than he does. All of my grits and polish are from the Rock Shed. Here's what I did:
Rotary 60/90 for a long time. 1 tsp. Dreft and 2 heaping TBSP S.C. 220 Grit - 3 days Wash, 1 tsp. Dreft and 1/2 tsp. A.O. 500 grit - 3 days Wash, 1 tsp. Dreft and 1/2 tsp. A.O. 1000 grit - 3 days Don’t wash, add 1/2 tsp tripoli - 3 days Wash, with 1 tsp Dreft and 1/2 cup water - 5 hours Switch to Polish Barrel 1/2 tsp. AO Polish -3 days
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jan 1, 2013 21:15:30 GMT -5
It's being selective past the 60/90.And you rotary tumbled for a long while.The first stage is where all the grit and electricity and $$$ goes,but it's the step that makes great stones like those.Not many cracks either.It's good.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jan 1, 2013 21:31:20 GMT -5
Thanks rob, I did not realize you we're going three days for each stage. I thought that was just on the kona. Can't argue with the results though!
Chuck
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 1, 2013 21:51:44 GMT -5
This is the first time I've gone three days on each step. Usually I do two, but I'm usually doing stuff I found myself. Since this was better rock, I decided not to take any chances.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Jan 1, 2013 22:48:48 GMT -5
You got great results with your process and I have to agree that the first step is the biggie. I still have a batch give me trouble every once in awhile if I mix rocks of differing hardness caused by a brain fart. But I have a system that works for me well. And you definitely have yours. 3 days is not a long run. I normally go 4-5 days in polish. I could probably get by with 3, but I am in no big hurry. Great batch, you knocked it out of the park!
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
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Post by herchenx on Jan 2, 2013 0:41:57 GMT -5
Yeah great batch there!
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Post by Pat on Jan 2, 2013 0:50:54 GMT -5
That is a superb pile of shine!
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Jan 2, 2013 8:58:32 GMT -5
Good looking batch. Some really nice jaspers. I agree with you on the importance of being very picky on the first step and the proof is in your pudding stone.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 2, 2013 9:30:05 GMT -5
Pudding stone! That's funny, Carlo!
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jan 2, 2013 13:32:57 GMT -5
Next time you post rocks that look that good you need to stay next to your computer to answer questions:>.
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Jan 2, 2013 14:01:36 GMT -5
mighty fine looking batch of stones there...really nice, you should be proud of the shine on them very liquid!!
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Post by mohs on Jan 2, 2013 23:29:18 GMT -5
Masterly!
edmostly
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colliel82
has rocks in the head
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Post by colliel82 on Jan 3, 2013 13:27:59 GMT -5
Very nice batch
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snuffy
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Post by snuffy on Jan 4, 2013 14:11:21 GMT -5
Yep,very good batch!
snuffy
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Post by susand24224 on Jan 4, 2013 21:46:55 GMT -5
Phenomenal mixed batch. You have some real beauties there, and none are ugly!
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