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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 15, 2017 18:32:16 GMT -5
So how are the rest of you doing with your world contest rocks. Mine are at a standstill at the moment. I did my best to hand grind all the flaws and pits but each time I try that the nest time I run them in coarse grit more pits and flaws get exposed. I will just let them sit on my workbench till I come up with plan B. Only a handful of possible entries left. 2/3 of what they sent are already in the trash. This really shows how coarse the material is and the flaw on the left end was not there a few days ago. Chuck
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,555
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Post by jamesp on Feb 15, 2017 18:45:29 GMT -5
Looks like a challenge to tumble rock. Seen that surface before.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 15, 2017 18:47:10 GMT -5
Looks like a challenge to tumble rock. Seen that surface before. I have seen it before too. That's why they are on my bench instead of in a tumbler. Can't afford to eat away too much rock trying different concoctions. Chuck
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Post by Jugglerguy on Feb 15, 2017 18:49:14 GMT -5
I'm in the same place you are. I'm not sure how to proceed. I kept the bad ones to experiment with. Individual rocks seem to tumble differently. I ran some in the Lot-O and had varying amounts of shine and undercutting. None of my test rocks came out very well at all. I don't think I'll be seeking out more of these when the contest is over.
@shotgunner, you sent me a rock that seems to be very similar to the contest rocks. Do you have any experience with this stuff?
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Post by Toad on Feb 15, 2017 19:14:20 GMT -5
Good luck with those. I took one look at the contest and decided to pass. You are all better tumblers than I. If there is a way, you will find it!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Feb 15, 2017 19:24:10 GMT -5
What grit are you using? I've been running mine in 60/90 in the rotary with weekly clean outs (I thought my 46/70 would be too coarse). They don't look that "rough". I'll post a picture on Sunday when I open the barrel again. I haven't done any hand work on the rocks either. I thought I would let them roll for a bit and then cut/grind if needed.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Feb 15, 2017 19:25:51 GMT -5
I have limited tumbling calacity and didn't want to take up space with those rocks. I passed also.
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Deleted
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Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 19:47:49 GMT -5
I'm in the same place you are. I'm not sure how to proceed. I kept the bad ones to experiment with. Individual rocks seem to tumble differently. I ran some in the Lot-O and had varying amounts of shine and undercutting. None of my test rocks came out very well at all. I don't think I'll be seeking out more of these when the contest is over. @shotgunner, you sent me a rock that seems to be very similar to the contest rocks. Do you have any experience with this stuff? In a word no. Send me a pic of what I sent you and I'll help you ID it. Sorry not helpful
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 19:48:43 GMT -5
So how are the rest of you doing with your world contest rocks. Mine are at a standstill at the moment. I did my best to hand grind all the flaws and pits but each time I try that the nest time I run them in coarse grit more pits and flaws get exposed. I will just let them sit on my workbench till I come up with plan B. Only a handful of possible entries left. 2/3 of what they sent are already in the trash. This really shows how coarse the material is and the flaw on the left end was not there a few days ago. Chuck Not better than Lavic!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 15, 2017 21:37:09 GMT -5
What grit are you using? I've been running mine in 60/90 in the rotary with weekly clean outs (I thought my 46/70 would be too coarse). They don't look that "rough". I'll post a picture on Sunday when I open the barrel again. I haven't done any hand work on the rocks either. I thought I would let them roll for a bit and then cut/grind if needed. These did spend some time in 46/70. No matter how long they rolled the 46/70 did not break down. The rocks smoothed out but the grit was intact. The rocks are so soft they had no impact on the grit. I think I have a plan or two up my sleeve. Not giving up just thought I would let folks see what we are up against. I am not a big fan of flats on contest tumbles and have rarely cut any of my past world contest rocks. Chuck
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 15, 2017 21:41:35 GMT -5
So how are the rest of you doing with your world contest rocks. Mine are at a standstill at the moment. I did my best to hand grind all the flaws and pits but each time I try that the nest time I run them in coarse grit more pits and flaws get exposed. I will just let them sit on my workbench till I come up with plan B. Chuck Not better than Lavic! Keep in mind this is not a contest for best type of rock. It is just to see who can do the best with whatever is thrown at them. I hate this material but that's actually good. The contest should be difficult. Your lavic would be a good fit for the contest. That stuff was gnarly looking and yet folks were able to make gems from it. Chuck
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Feb 16, 2017 0:46:03 GMT -5
Mine don't look too bad. I will give you a hint.... go really gentle........
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 0:54:47 GMT -5
Keep in mind this is not a contest for best type of rock. It is just to see who can do the best with whatever is thrown at them. I hate this material but that's actually good. The contest should be difficult. Your lavic would be a good fit for the contest. That stuff was gnarly looking and yet folks were able to make gems from it. Chuck Same premise as my contest. Can't wait to see the results.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,555
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Post by jamesp on Feb 16, 2017 6:24:45 GMT -5
What grit are you using? I've been running mine in 60/90 in the rotary with weekly clean outs (I thought my 46/70 would be too coarse). They don't look that "rough". I'll post a picture on Sunday when I open the barrel again. I haven't done any hand work on the rocks either. I thought I would let them roll for a bit and then cut/grind if needed. These did spend some time in 46/70. No matter how long they rolled the 46/70 did not break down. The rocks smoothed out but the grit was intact. The rocks are so soft they had no impact on the grit. I think I have a plan or two up my sleeve. Not giving up just thought I would let folks see what we are up against. I am not a big fan of flats on contest tumbles and have rarely cut any of my past world contest rocks. Chuck May be a good application for garnet or coarse AO. Softer abrasives that these rocks may breakdown. Great point about hard SIC not breaking down when tumbling soft rocks. Have had this experience w/soft rocks. Sic lasting on and on(heat treated softened rhyolite at about Mohs 5). Questioned using softer abrasives on soft rocks. Like cheap quartz sand that has been graded 220-500-1000-14,000. Or similar garnet. Always wanted to try It. I would like to see someone take this material out of coarse SiC and roll it with AO 220. Then AO 500-1000-14,000. Or better, from coarse SiC and into the vibe with AO 220 or possibly AO 500. AO 500 may shave that rough surface off in a vibe. May take 2 AO 500 runs. Run it with ceramic media and let the hard ceramic media assist breaking down the AO 500. -or- To my surprise a very coarse AO 22 broke down to darn near polish in 24 hours running hard agates in my powerful vibe. Feel certain AO 22 or AO 80 run with those rocks and ceramic media would clean those pits off and take you to a matte in a vibe. Believe a matte will win the contest... Interesting challenge. someone way unlock the mystery of polishing soft.
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osuguy0301
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 203
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Post by osuguy0301 on Feb 16, 2017 6:36:05 GMT -5
I am not a fan of this material either. I have a few pieces that I ran in 60/90 and then in the lot-o that came out with a shine. Other pieces just keep wearing away and won't take a shine at all. If I can get 5 pieces to take a shine, thats what I am sending...lol. I got a few pieces tumbling with other rocks, gonna clean out this weekend and see how they look.
I thought about running some pieces in my lot-o with AO 80 and some smalls and not running in the rotary. Once it warms up I will have some more time to play around with this stuff.
Jake
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,555
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Post by jamesp on Feb 16, 2017 6:45:16 GMT -5
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,555
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Post by jamesp on Feb 16, 2017 6:48:55 GMT -5
I am not a fan of this material either. I have a few pieces that I ran in 60/90 and then in the lot-o that came out with a shine. Other pieces just keep wearing away and won't take a shine at all. If I can get 5 pieces to take a shine, thats what I am sending...lol. I got a few pieces tumbling with other rocks, gonna clean out this weekend and see how they look. I thought about running some pieces in my lot-o with AO 80 and some smalls and not running in the rotary. Once it warms up I will have some more time to play around with this stuff. Jake
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,555
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Post by jamesp on Feb 16, 2017 6:54:28 GMT -5
Pits left from SiC 60 closer in. Not good for final polish. Good for matte effect...
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 16, 2017 10:23:24 GMT -5
Looks grainy,good luck!! Heck of a challenge on this material!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 16, 2017 10:24:40 GMT -5
James,I bet you could tumble a empty beer can and it would come out great!!! Thumbs up
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