tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,547
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Post by tkvancil on Oct 21, 2017 13:11:23 GMT -5
This batch came out pretty good I think. It had a lot of Sodalite which varies itself from mohs 5.5 - 6. Three quarters of the sodalite was rough tumbled as "filler". My double 12# tumbler gets opened after 3 days when I replace the lost volume thus avoiding impact damage. Added the sodalite mid week and rotated through several cleanouts. Tumbler turns at 55rpm so with 30 grit it grinds fast. Surprising how much grinding "used up" grit can do. IMG_3498 by Ken Vancil, on Flickr IMG_3486 by Ken Vancil, on Flickr IMG_3490 by Ken Vancil, on Flickr IMG_3494 by Ken Vancil, on Flickr Also had a good deal of quartz, mohs 7. Amethyst. IMG_3459 by Ken Vancil, on Flickr Citrine. IMG_3462 by Ken Vancil, on Flickr Rose, other. IMG_3466 by Ken Vancil, on Flickr Some obsidian. Mohs 5-6. IMG_3471 by Ken Vancil, on Flickr Salmon Feldspar. Mohs 5.5 IMG_3477 by Ken Vancil, on Flickr Quartzite, Aventurine 6.5 -7. Apatite (?) 5. And the biggest surprise, at least to me, some howlite Mohs 4. IMG_3482 by Ken Vancil, on Flickr Thanks for looking and keep on rollin' them stones.
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Post by MrMike on Oct 21, 2017 14:05:39 GMT -5
tkvancil, great job on the rocks Ken! So all this was run together in 12 lb barrels? Do you finish rotary or vibe?
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,563
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Post by jamesp on Oct 21, 2017 14:34:50 GMT -5
Ditto Mike's question. Nice mastery of the soft ones.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,547
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Post by tkvancil on Oct 21, 2017 15:45:47 GMT -5
MrMike and jamesp the quartz was started alone with obsidian and feldspars added as needed along the way. So at one time or another all together, 12# barrel, lortone QT66, 30 grit. Softer stones seemed to help the 30 break down. Casual observation only. The sodalite was added to 2 12# barrels mid week for fill, lortone C200, mixed with agates/jaspers. At mid week I am guessing the 30 has broken down to the 120/220 range. I only expected to ease the edges of the sodalite this way. Instead by rotating them through for several weeks they were about 75% done. After that added to the Qt66 mix with 30 grit till done. The howlite went in with an agate batch. Didn't know what it was. Perfectly rounded but less than half size in one week. UV18 for finish steps. 220sic for 48 hours. Slurry needed more attention/water than normal. Howlite and feldspars likely culprit. 600sic for 48 hours, 1 1/2 tsp. psyllium thickener. 1000AO 72 hours, 1 1/2tsp. psyllium thickener. Rockshed AO polish 72 hours, 1 1/2 tsp. psyllium thickener.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 21, 2017 16:36:38 GMT -5
Lots of goodies. I am impressed with the shine on the howlite. Surprised at the low amount psyllium for an 18 pound load.
Chuck
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Post by orrum on Oct 21, 2017 16:55:56 GMT -5
Wow u got the real deal! Awesome work!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,563
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Post by jamesp on Oct 21, 2017 17:09:39 GMT -5
Thanks for the recipe info. Very informative and interesting strategy that panned out real well. Impressed.
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Post by fernwood on Oct 21, 2017 18:19:54 GMT -5
That Howlite is extreme.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,547
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Post by tkvancil on Oct 21, 2017 19:00:31 GMT -5
Drummond Island Rocks ... The original recipe called for 1/4 tsp. for a Lot-O. The stuff slows the action down fast at that small amount. Like many UV18 users I find it too aggressive in finer grits so I like the slow down. Helps with the clean up too. Voids/defects come clean with just a rinse, no burnish.
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Post by aDave on Oct 21, 2017 19:57:42 GMT -5
Great to see a nice batch with tough material. Well done. Thanks for sharing.
Dave
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Post by MrMike on Oct 21, 2017 21:58:58 GMT -5
Ditto Mike's question. Nice mastery of the soft ones. I believe James could use some Metamucil, no not cause he’s full of something, for his fluorite & obsidian......
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,563
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Post by jamesp on Oct 22, 2017 3:27:00 GMT -5
Ditto Mike's question. Nice mastery of the soft ones. I believe James could use some Metamucil, no not cause he’s full of something, for his fluorite & obsidian...... Ya think ? I'm still polishing and un-polishing the same pieces of obsidian for 3 years. They should disappear soon.
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illusionist
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 137
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Post by illusionist on Oct 23, 2017 19:38:36 GMT -5
Beautiful work!
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