dispatcheranna
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2017
Posts: 8
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Post by dispatcheranna on Oct 25, 2017 19:42:52 GMT -5
Now that my experimental steps into this hobby using the provided stones has ended, I'm starting up a new batch of Blue Quartz I got from The Rock Shed. I've learned from the reading I've been doing here that slow and steady is the key, so I'm gonna take my time with this. I really want it to come out right. I'm hoping to get some of the brown out of them. Since my tumbler has day and speed settings on them, I've got it set for the max 9 days at medium speed. I'm pretty sure it'll have to go longer, but I'll check them at 9 days and set it for another week. Luckily, my local hobby store sells the grit I need, so I've got plenty of that.
Blue Quartz
(linked to my google drive since I'm at work and it's the one of the few sites they don't block.......friggen IT...)
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Post by gmitch067 on Oct 25, 2017 20:30:03 GMT -5
Got some realy nice pieces there. What type of tumbler are you using?
When I ran my Blue Quartz (from The Rock Shed also) I received only one rock that had the beautiful blue. I took me about a month tumbling at 80 grit in a 3 lb. tumbler (Lortone 3A) before their shape was where I wanted it. I replace old grit about every 7 days, but your 9 day settings will be fine.
I do not know much about how the rotation speed should be adjusted... maybe another member will be able to help with that. It seems that medium to fast speeds would work with a hard stone like Quartz (Mohs-7 hardness on the Mohs Scale). Slower speeds would probably be useful when tumbling soft stones (Mohs-5 and less)
You might want to compare your Hobby Store's grit prices with those offered at The Rock Shed. You will end up using A LOT of 80 grit. Even with shipping costs... you might be surprised...
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dispatcheranna
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2017
Posts: 8
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Post by dispatcheranna on Oct 25, 2017 20:57:04 GMT -5
Using this one: www.amazon.com/Discover-Dr-Cool-Rock-Tumbler/dp/B011PVF1GK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1508982497&sr=8-1&keywords=doctor+cool+rock
Got it at my local Hobbytown for about $100. They had a Thumler (can't remember which model at the moment) as well, but I didn't know what I was looking at the time, so I got the one that looked....easier? I'll have to hunt down my receipt for the price. I was being anxious and wanted to make sure I had enough on hand to recharge if I needed to before the end of the first 9 days. Considering the shipping time from Rock Shed, this might have been me just being a worry wart, but that's just me. I have the patience of a saint at work, but at home, I tend to lose it =P I'm also hoping there is some blue hidden in the white ones, but just getting these right will be enough for me this time I'm still learning, so I can afford to not be picky right now.
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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 Oct 27, 2017 5:19:05 GMT -5
I have been tumbling blue quartz that I got from the Rock Shed off and on for the past few months. My experience with it, if it has brown in it, its probably not going to tumble out. I have had a few pieces with brown and its usually a vein that goes all the way through. I have had mixed results with my blue quartz. Some pieces come out great, others not so much. The hardness doesn't seem to be consistent and I have had issues with it undercutting and areas that are softer and won't polish at all. I hope it comes out great for you but don't be frustrated if it doesn't. After running multiple batches with blue quartz thrown in, its not the easiest material to work with.
Jake
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dispatcheranna
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2017
Posts: 8
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Post by dispatcheranna on Nov 4, 2017 17:52:32 GMT -5
So my tumbler shut off a few days ago and I forgot to check it, wewps! But they're getting there. I didn't take any pictures as I realized that it was stopped before I was getting ready for work (I works nights, yuck). They're not where I want them though. Still have pits and rough spots, but it looks like some of the brown that was on them has worked it's way off. I just recharged the grit and set it for another 7 days. I'll check it then and try to remember to post pictures this time.
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dispatcheranna
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2017
Posts: 8
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Post by dispatcheranna on Nov 18, 2017 18:37:21 GMT -5
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