alysia711
starting to shine!
Member since January 2016
Posts: 31
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Post by alysia711 on Jun 25, 2017 18:43:09 GMT -5
Ok, I got the pic loading thing figured out now. I tumbled these for a couple of weeks and was reading another thread about when to stop a tumble and/or how to know when there's nothing more to accomplish with the 60/90 cycle. But, I've never tried agates like these before and I'm not sure what to look for with them. They have so many pockmarks, but can those really be tumbled smooth? Or, is that pretty much all I can expect with them. The blood stones are pretty straight forward, but would appreciate suggestions/advice as I'm still new at this. Most of the bloodstones are smooth but a few aren't. What would y'all normally do when seeing them like this? Move on to the next cycle or repeat the ones that have cracks.
60/90 polish complete by Alysia Chapoy, on Flickr 60/90 polish complete by Alysia Chapoy, on Flickr 60/90 polish complete by Alysia Chapoy, on Flickr 60/90 polish complete by Alysia Chapoy, on Flickr
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alysia711
starting to shine!
Member since January 2016
Posts: 31
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Post by alysia711 on Jun 25, 2017 18:44:30 GMT -5
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2017 19:16:52 GMT -5
The big problem that you are going to have with these stones is that the pits and cracks are going to trap grit, which will effects the polish. I do not see them taking a good polish like this. Personally, I would continue with the green ones which look less pockmarked, and either discard the other stones or have them go back to 60/90 for at least another two weeks. However, I am not an expert.
I am curious, you said that you have some bloodstones, but what are the others? Are they just gravel rocks, rocks you found outside?
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alysia711
starting to shine!
Member since January 2016
Posts: 31
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Post by alysia711 on Jun 25, 2017 19:23:21 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice. That's pretty much what I was thinking too. The other rocks I got from the rock shed and are blue botswana agates. Maybe if I had a grinder and could grind off the pits they would tumble fine after, but I don't and I don't have much hope that I can polish these. I think I'll run them again for a few weeks and if there's no hope then I'll put them in my fish tank.
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notjustone
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2017
Posts: 426
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Post by notjustone on Jun 25, 2017 19:54:45 GMT -5
put them back in coarse. they are just not ready to move on yet.
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rodeodan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 213
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Post by rodeodan on Jun 25, 2017 20:25:33 GMT -5
Myself, i pull out the rocks that are badly pitted and add new pieces at each change. Once i have enough to move to 120/220, the rocks that are still needing the coarse gritt are put into a new another tumbler and reground in a new batch; the "good" stones continue moving along until polished.
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Jun 26, 2017 2:53:46 GMT -5
The Botswanas could use a Dremel or other grinder to remove the really dip pits, then tumble them for several more weeks in coarse grind. The bloodstone looks like it does not need grinding, but the shape of those stones will really improve if you run them through another 2 or 3 cycles of coarse grit. -Don
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Post by orrum on Jun 26, 2017 6:43:06 GMT -5
Yep more time in coarse grit. Some never get good to move on but I tumble a lot of batches in coarse for 6 months b4 most are moved on to the next stage in the Loto. You are doing good and all will b worthwhile in the end!
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alysia711
starting to shine!
Member since January 2016
Posts: 31
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Post by alysia711 on Jun 26, 2017 12:51:27 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! My concern with the botswanas was wasting grit and time on something that is likely unachievable. As far as the bloodstones and 1st cycle tumble in general is that I'm not sure what shape I'm looking for. I've read y'all talking about getting a good shape, but I'm somewhat clueless as to what a good shape is. I'm going to run the bloodstones again for a couple of weeks and see what their shape is after, then hopefully I will get the hands on experience of the difference in shapes with different length of coarse cycles.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jun 26, 2017 12:58:46 GMT -5
"Good shape" is very subjective. When they look good to you, move them to the next stage. Some people like perfectly smooth rocks with no cracks or holes. Others like them to look a little more natural. That's something you need to decide.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2017 14:40:39 GMT -5
Like ChicagoDave said, "good shape" is different to everyone. I wrap my tumbles, so I look for interesting shapes and smooth rocks. I personally like the look of the bloodstones, but if you want to toss them in 60/90 for another week or two, go for it! If you do that, I would consider tossing in some of the agates that have fewer pockmarks. You might be able to get some of them to polish up good. Even if they don't take a shine, they still look pretty cool
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Post by pghram on Jul 9, 2017 15:18:24 GMT -5
Roll'em, roll'em, roll'em...
Peace, Rich
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