beetle101
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Member since March 2015
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Post by beetle101 on Mar 17, 2015 17:13:46 GMT -5
beetle101: Hi I'm not sure how to use the site but have a question I have Idaho star garnets. 3-6 mm - I want to polish them. Do I use the 4- step process. Less tumbling time? Using Plastic pellets as filler? I'm a newbie to the hobby. Thanks for any help ! Edit 22 hours ago x
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,563
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Post by jamesp on Mar 17, 2015 17:30:01 GMT -5
Welcome to the site beetle. You should get plenty of help here.
I have similar garnets from Idaho. I can tell you that they tumble faster in a rotary. With agate or quartz, say 1-2 inch pieces. What type and size tumbler do you have ? If it is a rotary then yes, the 4 step process.
I ran them for two weeks in a vibratory tumbler and it did not round them very much. They do round better in a rotary for sure.
In the vibe:
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beetle101
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2015
Posts: 11
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Post by beetle101 on Mar 17, 2015 20:09:37 GMT -5
Thanks! I have lots of questions...I bought several small lots of rough tumble of various stones. ?. OK. The garnets are the size of large peppercorns and I have about a 1/4 cup total . Won't the stage one grit grind them to bits? I have a 3 pound rotary. BTW - Love the video!
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,563
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Post by jamesp on Mar 17, 2015 20:16:02 GMT -5
Thanks! I have lots of questions...I bought several small lots of rough tumble of various stones. ?. OK. The garnets are the size of large peppercorns and I have about a 1/4 cup total . Won't the stage one grit grind them to bits? I have a 3 pound rotary. BTW - Love the video! No. the garnets are way tough. they will hold their own. Just do a regular tumble and throw the garnets in with the other rocks. You may have to tumble them in two runs to get them to round well.
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beetle101
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2015
Posts: 11
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Post by beetle101 on Mar 17, 2015 20:33:48 GMT -5
Awesome. I have rough blue and yellow topaz, emerald, green and blue apatite, amethyst, India ruby, and black tourmaline. All less than 1". Any of these not compatible? I can toss them in together? However, The tourmaline I may set as is.
I so appreciate the answers .
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Post by pauls on Mar 17, 2015 21:04:22 GMT -5
I don't think it would be a good idea to tumble the Topaz in a rotary. Topaz has a very pronounced cleavage and could split. Emerald is an I doubt it one, similar reasons. Ruby is probably too hard to tumble in Silicon Carbide, you would need to tumble in Diamond. Here in Australia they tumble Saphires in Diamond so its possible. Why not throw them in and see what happens. Amethyst is Quartz so a bit softer than Garnets but should tumble OK, they will be rounded earlier so keep an eye on them and pull them out when done. Tourmaline should be OK but I have never seen anyone tumble it so I am really unsure. Apatite, no way, much too soft, They could possibly be done in a vibe by themselves but I think you would have big trouble getting them to polish. Put them to one side to have a go at when you have a bit more experience and are up for a challenge. I cabbed a piece of Apatite last night coincidentally, it turned out nice but it was difficult to keep the shape because of the softness, I have faceted it as well but doubt I would do that again.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,563
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Post by jamesp on Mar 17, 2015 21:29:50 GMT -5
Yes, those are some not so normally tumbled stones. best to tumble similar Mohs hardness. The garnets will go well with agate. Apatite too soft. Black tourmaline cane be brittle. ruby likely too hard. amethyst is on the tricky side due to it being easy to frost. for your first tumble I would do agates and garnet. that's easy.
agates-bloodstone, montana agate, moss agate, jasper, petrified wood, botswana, chalcedony, etc get tumble material 1/2 to 1.5 inch size. Ebay has mixed agates for tumbling. Many varieties(100's)
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beetle101
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2015
Posts: 11
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Post by beetle101 on Mar 18, 2015 5:50:08 GMT -5
Thank you both got your expertise! I'll hold back on the topaz , ruby , apatite, et al, and buy some compatible stones. I'm going to look for an area club or a rock hobbiest. I'm interested in learning how to cab. I'll check back in and hopefully with photos showing success! Enjoy your day...
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
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Post by tkvancil on Mar 18, 2015 9:20:14 GMT -5
The Rockshed is a good place to buy also.
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 18, 2015 9:23:12 GMT -5
Can't wait to see the finished product!!!!
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