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Post by fernwood on Jun 14, 2018 4:34:43 GMT -5
Do you have more of them? The barrel would need to be at least 2/3 full of a variety of sized rocks to work properly. I use small gravel as a filler. Do not know if nails would work, as they might cause damage to the rocks/barrel/lid.
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jelliott
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Post by jelliott on Jun 14, 2018 9:25:26 GMT -5
Do you have more of them? The barrel would need to be at least 2/3 full of a variety of sized rocks to work properly. I use small gravel as a filler. Do not know if nails would work, as they might cause damage to the rocks/barrel/lid. Yes I have enough. I have a 1lb barrel, filling it 2/3 full and still have some more to put in if need be. Most are same size. Should I order the plastic or ceramic pellets to add?
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Post by fernwood on Jun 14, 2018 10:42:32 GMT -5
Plastic is used for pre and polish. Ceramic used during grit stages. Be sure to use a variety of sizes or the tumbling will not wear down all the rocks.
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jelliott
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Post by jelliott on Jun 14, 2018 10:48:59 GMT -5
Plastic is used for pre and polish. Ceramic used during grit stages. Be sure to use a variety of sizes or the tumbling will not wear down all the rocks. Thank you, I will get some plastic media also.
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Post by fernwood on Jun 14, 2018 11:37:35 GMT -5
I prefer running small 1/8 to 1/4" gravel instead of medium. No cost to me and holds up better. I will be using some plastic medium for pre and polish stages, but not much.
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jelliott
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Post by jelliott on Jun 14, 2018 13:22:55 GMT -5
I prefer running small 1/8 to 1/4" gravel instead of medium. No cost to me and holds up better. I will be using some plastic medium for pre and polish stages, but not much. Will aquarium gravel work or is there a better type?
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Post by fernwood on Jun 14, 2018 16:01:30 GMT -5
What I have would be considered natural aquarium gravel. Hand screened from a load of driveway gravel I purchased. Not commercial aquarium gravel, but it should work. Here is an example of what I am including ith my latest batches. photo shows both tumbles out of Stage 3 and the gravel. 2 medium
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jelliott
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Post by jelliott on Jun 14, 2018 16:54:00 GMT -5
Very NICE, Fernwood. Thanks for the tips
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jelliott
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Post by jelliott on Jun 18, 2018 19:47:33 GMT -5
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jelliott
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Post by jelliott on Jun 18, 2018 19:48:15 GMT -5
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jelliott
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Post by jelliott on Jun 18, 2018 19:48:45 GMT -5
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minerken
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Post by minerken on Jun 18, 2018 23:46:35 GMT -5
You're on the way for sure
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Post by fernwood on Jun 19, 2018 6:09:44 GMT -5
Check after 2 days and see if you are happy with how much they have ground down. Some in the photos look like they will need to go for more than 2 days. You can always remove those that are ready and replace with other rocks to maintain a full enough barrel. I ran the course grind for about 2 weeks with some rocks.
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jelliott
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Post by jelliott on Jun 19, 2018 7:16:11 GMT -5
Check after 2 days and see if you are happy with how much they have ground down. Some in the photos look like they will need to go for more than 2 days. You can always remove those that are ready and replace with other rocks to maintain a full enough barrel. I ran the course grind for about 2 weeks with some rocks. Thanks Fernwood, Do I need to keep the ones I remove in water until I tumble again? I currently have these running again on phase 1 and will remove tomorrow after 2 more days. I will take your advice and remove those I think are ready and replace with others.
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Post by fernwood on Jun 19, 2018 7:43:10 GMT -5
No need to keep in water. Just rinse off any grit on them. Many here have a stash of tumbles in various stages. They are used for replacements along the way. Just be sure everything is the same hardness when adding.
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jelliott
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Post by jelliott on Jun 19, 2018 8:31:02 GMT -5
No need to keep in water. Just rinse off any grit on them. Many here have a stash of tumbles in various stages. They are used for replacements along the way. Just be sure everything is the same hardness when adding. Thanks again, that is the one issue I am having. Since I got these from a Gem Mine in NC I am having trouble ID ing some of them. I am relying on the scratch test for most.
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rmf
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Post by rmf on Jun 19, 2018 16:50:54 GMT -5
many of those images the dark browns are too non discript to ID. Here are some IDs for you
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jelliott
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Post by jelliott on Jun 19, 2018 18:19:18 GMT -5
many of those images the dark browns are too non discript to ID. Here are some IDs for you Thanks, can you tell me is there any way I can clean the ruby up? I have one very similar to the one you pictured.
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rmf
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Post by rmf on Jun 20, 2018 5:49:12 GMT -5
jelliott the ruby I pictured is yours. it appeard clean to me. If you are asking about polishing then it can be ground with silicon carbide but will require diamond to get a good polish. A rock tumbler can round it but you would not get a good polish on it. Going to 1500 grit or finer in a tumbler though you might get a good enough polish. the image appears to be oriented like you are looking down on the C-axis which is used for orienting if you were going to cut a star ruby cab but from the look of it I would say it will not star. Keep in mind this is a diagnosis from a pic not holding in front of me. I am not 100% sure on the orientation but it appears to have 4 of the 6 sides you would expect and at the correct angles. A ruby/sapphire will not star if you can't see "silks" on a wet stone holding a single point source of light looking down the C-axis. Your stone is not wet but I have looked at many and would say 95% sure it will not star. If you like the color and want it polished that is up to you but the cost of cutting would probably exceed the value of the finished stone.
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jelliott
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Post by jelliott on Jun 20, 2018 9:09:09 GMT -5
Thanks mf, I think I might just leave it as is for now.
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