Allagash
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2004
Posts: 22
|
Post by Allagash on Apr 24, 2004 13:32:24 GMT -5
There is a quarry in Minot, Maine that my wife and I have visited to collect grossular garnets ( www.mindat.org/picshow.php?id=252) The matrix around them is a very, very hard calc-silicate that has some grey, orange and green all through it. In retrieving the garnets we have broken good chisels, that's how hard this stuff is. I really wanted to see how this stuff would tumble and would it take a shine. Given the progress after 3 weeks of shaping with 60/90 it looks like this may take me most of the year   |
|
|
|
Post by sandsman1 on Apr 24, 2004 16:26:07 GMT -5
wow after 3 weeks i still see sharp edges thats some tuff stuff----give it hell hahahaha seeya john
|
|
donwrob
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 509
|
Post by donwrob on Apr 24, 2004 17:55:48 GMT -5
YOUCH, those babies look hard! You might have to buy a bag of diamonds to add to make any progress ;D . But, try this, run them for a week with only half the water you've been using and see if it is more agressive for ya. Keep us posted, I bet they will be beautiful if you get them to round out and shine. Good luck, Don
|
|
Allagash
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2004
Posts: 22
|
Post by Allagash on Apr 24, 2004 18:43:22 GMT -5
Thanks for the encouragement and suggestions John and Don. I'm not kidding when I say I've broken chisels there. Here's a picture of the quarry:  We have taken some really nice cinnamon colored garnets from this place. Not complete crystals but still nice specimens. Just seemed like if this stuff will tumble it should look pretty good. Time (and patience) will tell. |
|
|
|
Post by cookie3rocks on Apr 24, 2004 20:18:10 GMT -5
Those are going to be gorgeous! Would it help to go back to 200 for a while?
I really don't know but being inexpereinced, thats what I'd probably do.
cookie
|
|
|
|
Post by rockyraccoon on Apr 24, 2004 21:58:28 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by sandsman1 on Apr 24, 2004 22:08:22 GMT -5
yea thats way cool alla
|
|
llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
|
Post by llanago on Apr 25, 2004 8:10:23 GMT -5
You might try running them in 60/90 dry and see if that works.
Those are going to be nice one of these days! ;D
|
|
Allagash
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2004
Posts: 22
|
Post by Allagash on Apr 25, 2004 8:26:41 GMT -5
I thought about running the load dry but I can't move the tumbler out of the condo and I'm not sure we could take the noise. I'll stick with my patience. One trick I tried last year was to throw in some garnet pieces. I know where I can find some crumbley almandine garnets, it is pretty much the same stuff they use for sandpaper.
p.s. The fish is a graphic I found, I just put the (Bracket)IMG(Bracket) then URL for the picture then (bracket)/IMG(Bracket) in my signature, the same way you do to post a picture in your message. I run my own server with a bulletin board that uses the same software, YaBB. It gives me a chance to play around the capabilities.
|
|
|
|
Post by creativeminded on Apr 30, 2004 10:50:54 GMT -5
It may take a long time to get the stones ground down but I have a feeling you are going to be pleased with the results. With the colors that I see those would make some great jewelry.
Tami
|
|
Allagash
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2004
Posts: 22
|
Post by Allagash on Apr 30, 2004 19:08:55 GMT -5
Thanks Tami, I should have pics up tomorrow. I really do want to see this batch thru. I've looked at that matrix for quite a few years......
|
|
Allagash
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2004
Posts: 22
|
Post by Allagash on May 1, 2004 8:02:34 GMT -5
Here we go, they are starting to show some shaping now. I still hope they will polish when it gets to that time, we'll see. I'm not afraid to post even if the batch fails, maybe others can learn if I make a mistake  |
|
|
|
Post by creativeminded on May 1, 2004 8:58:27 GMT -5
That is the neat thing about this board, we learn from the mistakes other have made.
Looks like they are shaping up nicely.
Tami
|
|
bwalters
has rocks in the head
Member since March 2004
Posts: 557
|
Post by bwalters on May 8, 2004 19:11:33 GMT -5
Allagash,
Looks like your stones are shaping up nicely. Just wanted to mention that I have a 15 lb'er that I have run wet and dry. With mine, there is actually less noise when running dry. I've also got 3 lb'er's running in my bedroom, one of which is running dry. It's really quiet. Seems like dry would be louder, but that hasn't been the case with the ones I'm running.
Barbara
|
|
|
|
Post by sandsman1 on May 8, 2004 19:28:17 GMT -5
hi all ---hey alla now ther startin to see whos boss hahahahaha there lookin good looks like a couple more weeks grinding and your gonna have some great stones i like the colors--seeya---john
|
|
llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
|
Post by llanago on May 8, 2004 19:47:28 GMT -5
Those are lookin' good! Can't wait to see them finished. Bet they will be really pretty.
llana
|
|
