tbvet3
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2016
Posts: 123
|
Post by tbvet3 on Oct 23, 2016 7:57:21 GMT -5
Anyone ever tumbled septarian nodules?
Got some left over ends that are smallish. Thinking of starting with 220 grit and filling the barrel pretty full, 3/4 of a bit more with filler.
Thoughts anyone?
|
|
|
Post by 1dave on Oct 23, 2016 8:21:02 GMT -5
They are quite soft - mostly calcite.
|
|
ziggy
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 483
|
Post by ziggy on Oct 23, 2016 9:26:34 GMT -5
They are quite soft - mostly calcite. Having worked with the septarians here in Michigan I feel I can be qualified in the following statement as mostly accurate. Actually, the calcite is the "veins" for lack of a better word. The veins are surrounded by "mud" also for lack of a better word. While the calcite and the mud are close to each other in hardness, the mud will most likely go away first in a tumbler. To make things worse, there are different compositions of mud in different and even the same nodule. Some of this mud is obviously way softer than either the other mud or the calcite. So, uneven and unpredictable results are most likely during a tumble of this material. My guess (because I've never tumbled it) is that some pieces will entirely go away while the harder ones will not cut evenly between the mud and calcite. These septarian nodules from Michigan that I work with, sometimes polish up nicely and evenly (I use a buffing wheel to shine them up) other stones that have mixed mud types are often patchy when it comes to an even polish on the entire surface. The mud on some of them just can't be polished. I have no experience with septarians from places other than Michigan.
|
|
|
Post by 1dave on Oct 23, 2016 9:40:02 GMT -5
They are quite soft - mostly calcite. Actually, the calcite is the "veins" for lack of a better word. The veins are surrounded by "mud" also for lack of a better word. While the calcite and the mud are close to each other in hardness, the mud will most likely go away first in a tumbler. To make things worse, there are different compositions of mud in different and even the same nodule. Some of this mud is obviously way softer than either the other mud or the calcite. So, uneven and unpredictable results are most likely during a tumble of this material. My guess (because I've never tumbled it) is that some pieces will entirely go away while the harder ones will not cut evenly between the mud and calcite. These septarian nodules from Michigan that I work with, sometimes polish up nicely and evenly (I use a buffing wheel to shine them up) other stones that have mixed mud types are often patchy when it comes to an even polish on the entire surface. The mud on some of them just can't be polished. Right on ziggy ! Septarions are jumbled and clumped dead animal remains that were buried in some ancient terrific storms - About the time South America separated from Africa. I have noticed still identifiable clam shells etc. Trapped decay gas is most likely what kept the centers open. Body oils seeped into the surrounding mud, making their clumps more cohesive than surrounding mud. Calcite from bones and shells dissolved and re-precipitated several times. 1 stprecipitation is next to the mud. 2 ndprecipitation is darker. 3 rd and later are much lighter in color.
|
|
ubermenehune
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2016
Posts: 293
|
Post by ubermenehune on Oct 23, 2016 11:03:04 GMT -5
Yes. You can use standard tumbling protocols for shaping and smoothing. Because of the softness they weather away pretty quickly.
I dry tumble with corn cob media to get a respectable shine.
|
|
ziggy
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 483
|
Post by ziggy on Oct 23, 2016 11:13:12 GMT -5
The ones up here in Michigan don't look anything like that one. So, what I am saying about Michigan Septarians obviously does not apply universally. Below are a few finished, partially finished and unfinished typical Michigan Septarians. It's fairly obvious how they became known as Lightning Stones. Note the different colors of mud matrix. The small pendant lower left has two or three different kinds in one stone. Some patches polished up and some didn't. The stones often have the "eye" shape like the one in the middle and the partially finished high domed one next to it.
|
|
|
Post by 1dave on Oct 23, 2016 11:20:42 GMT -5
Yes, They are found around the world, and possibly from different times. I suspect Harmonic Vibrations form earthquakes is what clumped them.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2016 11:30:21 GMT -5
I've always wanted to make a sphere from Utah septarians. I have a 4" core of Michigan lightening stone from rattlehead
|
|
|
Post by 1dave on Oct 23, 2016 11:37:50 GMT -5
I've always wanted to make a sphere from Utah sectarians. I have a 4" core of Michigan lightening stone from rattlehead Don or other club members can take you to collect your own - about 50 miles east of St George Between Mt Carmel and Orderville. If I remember right, the contact is
|
|
|
Post by 1dave on Oct 23, 2016 12:00:31 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by 1dave on Oct 24, 2016 6:58:20 GMT -5
|
|
tbvet3
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2016
Posts: 123
|
Post by tbvet3 on Oct 26, 2016 19:57:22 GMT -5
ubermenehune
Hvae you used corn cobs as a wet media? Wondering how much they swell up?
|
|
Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
|
Post by Fossilman on Oct 27, 2016 9:51:19 GMT -5
Some wicked photos of septarians!!! WOW!
|
|
ubermenehune
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2016
Posts: 293
|
Post by ubermenehune on Oct 27, 2016 19:32:48 GMT -5
ubermenehune Hvae you used corn cobs as a wet media? Wondering how much they swell up? No, I've never used corn cob as wet media. Just dry and a little polish in a lot-o +2 or 3 days.
|
|
tbvet3
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2016
Posts: 123
|
Post by tbvet3 on Oct 27, 2016 20:37:17 GMT -5
Thanks.
I'll figure something out.
|
|
tbvet3
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2016
Posts: 123
|
Post by tbvet3 on Nov 5, 2016 16:35:23 GMT -5
UPDATE - Lot of pics OK so what I did was layer in 4 end cuts with aquarium gravel to the 3/4 level in a 3# barrel. Added 4 TBS of 500 grit and water. Then added more aquarium gravel to the 7/8 level. I use a marked small dowel to indicate how much stuff I put in. Rolled it for 4 days and the results follow. Looking back I think I could have stopped at 3, maybe 2 days. # 1 before and after. 2 1/2" wide after. #2 before and after. 2 1/8" wide after. # 3 3 5/8" wide after. # 4 1 1/2" wide after. Game plan now is to get some untreated corn cob media and make a wet mash polish and run 1 at a time in the 3# barrel. Will continue updates as things progress.
|
|