atomicwanderer
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2017
Posts: 4
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Post by atomicwanderer on Dec 10, 2017 0:27:19 GMT -5
Thanks again for the add to RTH I started my first rough stage last sun night and am going on to the next step tomorrow. We are excited to see the progress, Mostly agate/jasper/pet wood . I will post some photos tomorrow for some tutorials,There is so much info in these forums I just dont have time to read it all!!! on another note I would like to run some chalcedony nodules/agates has any one done theses before?? thought i would recycle this sludge and start a step 1 on some of this material. Thanks again
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atomicwanderer
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2017
Posts: 4
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Post by atomicwanderer on Dec 11, 2017 11:32:49 GMT -5
Here are the results after the 7 day recommended tumble first stage. Started with various size stone just pre washed for prep. I started this hobby with a larger tumbler because we find a lot of bigger stones, And it was my hopes to tumble big stones eventually. I did reuse the old slurry for a load of nodules to see where that ends up "just because" Me and the kids are excited so far these turned out pretty cool and every ones happy with the stones they picked to tumble so far.Heres some pics after the first 7 days. Thanks Again
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,169
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Post by jamesp on Dec 11, 2017 11:41:27 GMT -5
killer polish(if they are dry) vibe or rotary ?
Clever to try polish/finish runs in the beginning to master that part of the process. Rounding stones in a rotary is a whole different process. Consider getting a rotary.
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atomicwanderer
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2017
Posts: 4
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Post by atomicwanderer on Dec 11, 2017 11:49:16 GMT -5
killer polish(if they are dry) Clever to try polish/finish runs in the beginning to master that part of the process. Rounding stones in a rotary is a whole different process. Consider getting a rotary. Sorry I should have stated that I wet the stones prior for the picture, I am using a rotary Thumler's model B. I tried to use same hardness stones as recommended from previous post "But " didn't keep a journal for this batch but plan to in future tumbles.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,169
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Post by jamesp on Dec 11, 2017 12:13:18 GMT -5
killer polish(if they are dry) Clever to try polish/finish runs in the beginning to master that part of the process. Rounding stones in a rotary is a whole different process. Consider getting a rotary. Sorry I should have stated that I wet the stones prior for the picture, I am using a rotary Thumler's model B. I tried to use same hardness stones as recommended from previous post "But " didn't keep a journal for this batch but plan to in future tumbles. Dive in and enjoy atomic. Looks like you are off to a great start. Welcome to the forum.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 11, 2017 12:16:29 GMT -5
Hi Atomic Wanderer, and welcome to the forum.
Although the directions that came with your tumbler probably said to run the first stage for a week, most of us here would recommend that you run the first stage much longer. I run my tumbler for a week at a time and check the rocks at the end of the week. I rinse them off (no slurry down the drain, it will clog your pipes), and then inspect each rock. I set aside any that are done. To me, "done" means no cracks or holes left. If I start a brand new batch, I don't expect any rocks to be done for about a month. The last rocks are usually done in two or more months. I just finished up some Indian fancy jasper that took about six months in the first stage. Each week when I remove rocks, I replace them with more rough rocks. You'll need to add rocks for lost volume and for rocks that were removed. My first stage just runs indefinitely this way. When I've set aside enough rocks to run the second stage, I clean out and fill the tumbler with all those rocks I set aside.
I like to have rocks that are as perfect as possible, so I take my time. If you want less perfect, but shiny rocks, you can move to stage two quicker, but you also take a risk. If any grit is trapped in holes left over from stage one, that grit could come out in a later stage and mess everything up. If you decide to move on rocks with holes, be very careful to clean out the holes very throughly.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 11, 2017 12:24:45 GMT -5
Here are some pictures of the fancy jasper I recently finished: Rough: After one week: When they were ready for stage two (months later): Finished (dry):
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Post by fantastic5 on Dec 11, 2017 12:32:27 GMT -5
Welcome atomicwanderer ! You are off to a great start, pictures are clearly the way to our hearts. You've got some great looking material coming out after the first week. X2 what Jugglerguy just posted about rolling them longer than the prescribed 1 week. Looking forward to more posts :-)
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Dec 11, 2017 12:43:28 GMT -5
Here are some pictures of the fancy jasper I recently finished: Rough: After one week: When they were ready for stage two (months later): Finished (dry): That is a great set of pictures for explaining why not to follow the instructions that come with a rock tumbler. Picture is worth a thousand words. Chuck
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ubermenehune
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2016
Posts: 293
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Post by ubermenehune on Dec 11, 2017 13:53:41 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum.
To echo what's already been said, most rocks i tumble stay in the coarse grind/shaping stage for at least two months, but I check my barrel twice a week and constantly cycle new material in and remove any stones ready for stage 2.
I also use a Model B, but it's exclusively for stage 1. To help alleviate my impatience, I have a second tumbler (lot-O) for subsequent stages.
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