Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 14, 2018 10:00:11 GMT -5
Here are a few of my rolls......These are end cuts, heals and throw aways that I saved for tumbling... A couple of collectors also..
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Post by MsAli on Mar 14, 2018 10:38:57 GMT -5
I very much enjoyed watching that
Thank you for sharing
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Post by fantastic5 on Mar 14, 2018 14:22:55 GMT -5
Love your show and tells fossilman! Thanks for posting
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 14, 2018 14:49:41 GMT -5
Love Montana agate. Thanks for sharing!
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stubshaft
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2018
Posts: 7
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Post by stubshaft on Mar 15, 2018 12:19:05 GMT -5
Neat video. Thanks for sharing.
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Mar 15, 2018 14:51:19 GMT -5
I just started a batch I purchased awhile back from the "Shed"......got the bigger pieces carved up and mixed with smaller Mex Agate. It will be awhile before I can show......they are only on day 3 in the 60/80-90 rotary.....
The smaller rough looks like this dry....:
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 15, 2018 15:01:25 GMT -5
Glad you are enjoying tumbling and sharing your batches. Who doesn't like a good Montana agate right?
Chuck
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Post by MsAli on Mar 15, 2018 15:23:06 GMT -5
Glad you are enjoying tumbling and sharing your batches. Who doesn't like a good Montana agate right? Chuck They are becoming a favorite of mine I've been seeing a lot of "Iris" Montana's and it makes me want to cut all mine up to see if any are like that.
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Mar 15, 2018 20:08:40 GMT -5
Glad you are enjoying tumbling and sharing your batches. Who doesn't like a good Montana agate right?
Chuck I hope so....It's my first attempt at this type of Agate.
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Post by gmitch067 on Mar 15, 2018 21:23:13 GMT -5
Nice video! Are the agate end-cuts more expressive of the inner plumes than center cuts? ... it seems that way. I am surprised at how they tumbled (if I remember right, you only use rotary)... they look like they would shatter... they were so thin!
Thank you.
Glenn
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 17, 2018 13:12:07 GMT -5
Nice video! Are the agate end-cuts more expressive of the inner plumes than center cuts? ... it seems that way. I am surprised at how they tumbled (if I remember right, you only use rotary)... they look like they would shatter... they were so thin! Thank you. Glenn Montana moss agates are as tough as they come... The end caps do tell the story.... LOL Never get tired of them. . Yes,I use rotary only...
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Mar 18, 2018 10:54:07 GMT -5
Nice video! Are the agate end-cuts more expressive of the inner plumes than center cuts? ... it seems that way. I am surprised at how they tumbled (if I remember right, you only use rotary)... they look like they would shatter... they were so thin! Thank you. Glenn Montana moss agates are as tough as they come... The end caps do tell the story.... LOL Never get tired of them. . Yes,I use rotary only... Boy you aren't kidding......just did my 1st weekly check on mine.....not much changed. Re-charged (added grit) with 60/80 Sic since there was a slurry (a bit to thin) but no sign of grit. They are with Mex Lace of smaller sizes.........this is gonna take awhile for sure......I'll be patient with these (not my normal)....lol
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Mar 21, 2018 15:25:25 GMT -5
Well, me and the Grandson just opened up the 1st two barrels we started 9 days ago........a little early, but don't want them running while I'm away on another adventure.
These will take time......lot's of time.....probably forever.....lol Mixed with various agate/jasper "crumbs" I have stored for such occasions.....Will restart in another 60/80 next week....I'm really gonna try to be patient with these.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 21, 2018 16:23:22 GMT -5
I have kept my Montanas in first stag for a month, a few times....They can take it...LOL
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Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 21, 2018 16:41:05 GMT -5
pizzano - Oh my, if you want to learn patience in a quickence (borrowing captbob 's word!), starting out with Montana agate will do it for you! That is some hard stuff! Just a generality - most people here that like their rocks well rounded will let the coarse stage roll for three months or more. Six months is not unheard of! YMMV. When I am going to be away, I also stop the tumblers. Don't want to tempt fate, have a problem. The rocks have waited eons, a little longer won't bother them one bit. Right now I have Lavic jasper, and some other hard stuff (from rock picking while we were out prospecting off of Ogilby Road north of I-8 in extreme SE California) rolling. While out there for ten days, we also took a couple jaunts up to the Picacho Recreation area, found some nice material. That was also thrown in there. The second tumbler has rocks from a day trip out to Ocotillo Wells SVRA, and some other assorted stuff that was on the patio thrown in. I lose track of what goes in there, can sort it out in the end. I normally tumble only tougher rocks like agates and jaspers, stuff that will take a fine polish. I use 30 grit SiC, which I purchase 50 lbs at a time from Kingsley North. In order to speed up the cutting, I add 1 cup of the grit to the barrels about twice a week. Adding sharp grit constantly will get it done quicker. I say, if your grit is not sharp, you are not cutting rock, and wasting electricity. I do not do weekly cleanouts. When I open the barrels, I will usually pour off some of the slurry, because it gets too thick. Then I'll add more water. As the rocks grind down, making that slurry, you will need to keep adding more rocks to keep the barrel to desired fill level (3/4 full, give or take). It is pretty much a balancing act. I also have a flat lap, and (used to) do some cabbing. That is something that takes more time than I usually have. Good that you are sharing your hobby with your grandson. With time, you will either get more patient - or more impatient, lol.
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Mar 21, 2018 21:08:39 GMT -5
pizzano - Oh my, if you want to learn patience in a quickence (borrowing captbob 's word!), starting out with Montana agate will do it for you! That is some hard stuff! Just a generality - most people here that like their rocks well rounded will let the coarse stage roll for three months or more. Six months is not unheard of! YMMV. When I am going to be away, I also stop the tumblers. Don't want to tempt fate, have a problem. The rocks have waited eons, a little longer won't bother them one bit. Right now I have Lavic jasper, and some other hard stuff (from rock picking while we were out prospecting off of Ogilby Road north of I-8 in extreme SE California) rolling. While out there for ten days, we also took a couple jaunts up to the Picacho Recreation area, found some nice material. That was also thrown in there. The second tumbler has rocks from a day trip out to Ocotillo Wells SVRA, and some other assorted stuff that was on the patio thrown in. I lose track of what goes in there, can sort it out in the end. I normally tumble only tougher rocks like agates and jaspers, stuff that will take a fine polish. I use 30 grit SiC, which I purchase 50 lbs at a time from Kingsley North. In order to speed up the cutting, I add 1 cup of the grit to the barrels about twice a week. Adding sharp grit constantly will get it done quicker. I say, if your grit is not sharp, you are not cutting rock, and wasting electricity. I do not do weekly cleanouts. When I open the barrels, I will usually pour off some of the slurry, because it gets too thick. Then I'll add more water. As the rocks grind down, making that slurry, you will need to keep adding more rocks to keep the barrel to desired fill level (3/4 full, give or take). It is pretty much a balancing act.I also have a flat lap, and (used to) do some cabbing. That is something that takes more time than I usually have. Good that you are sharing your hobby with your grandson. With time, you will either get more patient - or more impatient, lol. What size barrels....?.....I'm using 3lb'ers in a double at the moment.........a cup of grit would reduce my stone count. But I like the idea of "more" grit. Will try that when I get back to them. I normally recharge 1st and 2nd cycles once or twice a week........I'll do it twice a week with the Moss since I'm using Sic 60/80.....and use 8 table spoons of grit ea. recharge leaving slurry and smaller "rubbing" stones in place..........Thanks.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2018 21:14:26 GMT -5
Super cool. dig the moss!
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Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 21, 2018 23:38:11 GMT -5
In order to speed up the cutting, I add 1 cup of the grit to the barrels about twice a week. Adding sharp grit constantly will get it done quicker. I say, if your grit is not sharp, you are not cutrok rock, and wasting electricity. I do not do weekly cleanouts. When I open the barrels, I will usually pour off some of the slurry, because it gets too thick. Then I'll add more water. As the rocks grind down, making that slurry, you will need to keep adding more rocks to keep the barrel to desired fill level (3/4 full, give or take). It is pretty much a balancing act. What size barrels....?.....I'm using 3lb'ers in a double at the moment.........a cup of grit would reduce my stone count. But I like the idea of "more" grit. Will try that when I get back to them. I normally recharge 1st and 2nd cycles once or twice a week........I'll do it twice a week with the Moss since I'm using Sic 60/80.....and use 8 table spoons of grit ea. recharge leaving slurry and smaller "rubbing" stones in place..........Thanks.
Oh, sorry, I thought you knew from the recent thread I posted, "Refurbing a Lortone QT12" what size tumblers I have. I am using that, a 12 lber, and an old Scott-Murray, which rolls 15 lbs. Just kidding about you knowing, I never said there'd be a test, lol. One cup of grit is the standard amount of charge for both of them, except they recommend you only add once a week at cleanouts. A long time ago, I used to follow their directions. Do weekly cleanouts, check on the rocks, wash them off, admire them, get excited each week at their progress. But no more. A waste of water cleaning them all off, only to put them back in the barrel and dirty them up again. With clean water, it means you are starting your slurry all over again. Thin slurry provides an opportunity for the rocks to get beat up and bruised. I like to keep my slurry, thankyouverymuch, and just make adjustments to the viscosity as needed. I would NOT recommend you use 1 cup of grit in a 3 lb barrel. I think it would be overkill, and you're right, the rocks would hardly have room to tumble. Even if you were to use the recommended amount, adding it too often to a small barrel may not be so effective with speeding up the grind. The slurry thickening up to the point of becoming concrete-like is a real possibility. If the rocks don't have the freedom to move against the grit, they are not going to grind. Jean
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,555
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Post by jamesp on Mar 22, 2018 6:01:04 GMT -5
Sharp tumbles Michael. You got you tumbling down pat and fine Montana stuff. Infamous agate with lots of history.
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