likaafool
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2015
Posts: 2
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Post by likaafool on Dec 29, 2015 22:33:16 GMT -5
I like to hike and I like the wilderness. When I'm out I like to collect one or two small stones (less than 1 inch) to remind me of the place and experience. I never really searched out particular stones - just whatever was around.
I'd like to start getting into rock polishing and take stones with me in my pocket, when I travel on business, or in my office to remind me of where I've been.
I apologize for the basic nature of my questions but:
1. Can any stone have the roughness removed and/or be polished?
2. Should I be picky about the stones I look for in the future?
3. Any recommendations for a quality tumbler to get started?
Being able to contact enthusiasts/experts is what I love about the Internet.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Dec 30, 2015 1:01:12 GMT -5
Any stone (that I can think of) can be smoothed. Not all will polish. Porous stones generally won't polish, soft stones are hit or miss. Many uniformly hard, solid stones will polish.
Yes be picky, but base that on stones that will tumble well, which you will need to learn from some experience. I'd suggest hard silicates like agate, jasper, chert, flint, Quartz, and chalcedony - but solid without fractures or deep pits.
Good tumblers, stay away from harbor freight. Lortone and Thumlers are good to get started. Therockshed.com is a good place to buy tumblers, grit and even rough rocks to tumble.
Once you start be patient. Tumbling takes a good amount of time and you need to be involved with each stone, being picky before moving one on to a finer grit. This is the best place to learn anywhere, so welcome and good luck!
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likaafool
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2015
Posts: 2
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Post by likaafool on Dec 30, 2015 9:45:02 GMT -5
Thanks Herchenx. I think I'll get off and running with a trip to Therockshed.com
I appreciate the advice!
Happy New Years!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
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Post by Fossilman on Dec 30, 2015 9:50:23 GMT -5
I have two Lortone's,use the heck out of them...They just keep on rolling.... Good luck and enjoy...
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,547
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Post by tkvancil on Dec 30, 2015 10:36:14 GMT -5
Lortone and Thumlers are good quality choices for a tumbler.
You can do a simple scratch test to determine if a rock will shine. With a good quality pocket knife or steel file bear down hard on the rock and try to put a scratch in it. If your tool can scratch the rock it will not take a shine most of the time. If the tool does not make a scratch it is very likely the rock will polish. A magnifier is helpful here, A metallic steak can be left on the rock that looks like a scratch. With the magnifier it is easy to tell the difference between a scratch and a streak.
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