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 Nov 30, 2014 11:20:22 GMT -5
I haven't posted for awhile so, if you don't already know, I'm only doing rotary tumbling. It takes a loooong time. But here are a few items I finished up Saturday. I made most of those from slabs I traded for probably in 2012, maybe 2011. I want to say they came from rocpup? Anyway, thanks, they came out great. I'm just sooooo slow. Here are a few carnelians that I had since the early 90s and finally cut up a bit to polish: Here is another old stock purple agate we discussed on this site a couple of years ago. I think we all decided it was western USA material. More of my Mexican crazy lace. I keep saying I've done or sold it all but sometimes I still find a few pieces. This photo is twitter sized because I also tweeted it, guess you can tell I love the crazy stuff!
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Post by iant on Nov 30, 2014 11:27:25 GMT -5
Great finish on those. I'm a sucker for crazy lace too, but they all look fantastic!
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,547
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Post by tkvancil on Nov 30, 2014 12:25:06 GMT -5
Nice job on those they all look great. Another sucker for crazy lace here.
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emyhro40480
starting to shine!
Rockhounding since I was knee-hi to a grasshopper.
Member since October 2014
Posts: 49
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Post by emyhro40480 on Nov 30, 2014 14:13:45 GMT -5
Great stones Peachfront. I really like all of them. Great polish. Yes, it does take a looong time but isn't it soo worth it? Keep on tumbling.
Ed M.
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Post by pghram on Nov 30, 2014 15:03:20 GMT -5
Nice tumble, I especially like the lace.
Rich
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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 Nov 30, 2014 16:14:16 GMT -5
Thanks all. I just found my notes! It's Northwest Plume/Moss Agate originally from rocpup! Thanks so much.
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Post by orrum on Nov 30, 2014 19:39:42 GMT -5
Way nice shine and with a rotary too!!!!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,562
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Post by jamesp on Nov 30, 2014 19:49:46 GMT -5
Real real fine rotarified tumbles. well done, great patience. keepers for sure
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Post by snowmom on Dec 1, 2014 6:23:30 GMT -5
the lace takes the cake, but those carnelians are beautiful too. wonderful highly polished batch. Keep that rotary turning!
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azgnoinc
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 484
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Post by azgnoinc on Dec 1, 2014 10:25:29 GMT -5
Very nice overall batch, the Lace is fantastic & so is that plume/moss material too!!
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Dec 8, 2014 11:41:12 GMT -5
Sweet! Nice and translucent.
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Dec 8, 2014 12:45:56 GMT -5
I've never had much luck polishing in a rotary. I have my Covington running some agates now. I'm not sure if I want to transfer that batch to the Lot-O, or if I want to keep running it. I've read some stories where someone would run their tumbler with 60/90 for several months, just let 'em roll, then end up with some very nicely rounded and polished specimens. I don't think that's easy to do, though.
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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 Dec 9, 2014 21:46:19 GMT -5
I tried that experiment, Mr. Coffee, but I think it might take more patience AND a larger tumbler than I possess. What I'm doing now is I'm putting some shape first on a diamond grinding wheel. The 60 grit wheel if the piece doesn't chip. The 100 grit if it does...Otherwise I'd have my items in 60/90 tumbling grit for months and I might still not particularly care for the shape...
I have gone back to using 120/220 grit, then a 500 grit, then a 1,000 grit before I move onto the polish cycle. I also have separate bowls for the polish step. It is not the most frugal way but I'm not doing these to re-sell, I'm doing it for my own personal hobby so saving $$$ here and there is not a big priority. These steps take 10 days to 2 weeks or so, while the 60/90 stage still takes at least 3 weeks...
It amazes me how much material I lose between the grinding wheel and then the 60/90 step. Sometimes it seems as if I go through 10 pounds of stone to get a handful of tumbles I like...but I guess that's the thrill of the chase!
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riverrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2010
Posts: 1,395
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Post by riverrock on Dec 12, 2014 19:13:48 GMT -5
I see a few that need some wire around them.
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