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Post by miket on Sept 21, 2018 14:30:24 GMT -5
And I'm sure I know the answer. Tumble it until I'm satisfied. But I had this fairburn that was so-so and decided to tumble it- I like it waaay better now! The only trouble is that there are deep pits where most of the really cool bands are, so I wanted to ask the people with experience here what they would do. Either way, I love this rock! Unfortunately the pictures don't do it justice...
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Post by MsAli on Sept 21, 2018 14:31:49 GMT -5
Tumble it until you are happy
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 21, 2018 14:37:03 GMT -5
You could stop that one in stage one right now. Go ahead and run it through all the next stages making sure to clean out the pits really good. If you are not happy with it after seeing it polished then you can always send it back to stage one or a grinding wheel. No harm no foul that way. I run plenty of rocks with a flaw or two if removing the flaw would mean removing to much character from the rock. Sometimes grinding more just opens up more pits. They still come out shiny. Chuck
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Post by miket on Sept 21, 2018 14:39:26 GMT -5
Tumble it until you are happy I just wonder if there's a point where it would do more harm than good (appearance-wise) if tumbled for too long. The patterns really are amazing, I may try to get a few closeups this afternoon. But yes, again I know it's mostly a matter of personal preference. Thanks!
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Post by miket on Sept 21, 2018 14:41:54 GMT -5
You could stop that one in stage one right now. Go ahead and run it through all the next stages making sure to clean out the pits really good. If you are not happy with it after seeing it polished then you can always send it back to stage one or a grinding wheel. No harm no foul that way. I run plenty of rocks with a flaw or two if removing the flaw would mean removing to much character from the rock. Chuck Thanks Chuck, I might just do it this way. I did remove a few others with that thought in mind but being new at this I was a little apprehensive. I'll put it in the bag with the others waiting for a barrel to open up for the next stage. Mike
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Post by miket on Sept 21, 2018 14:43:02 GMT -5
You could stop that one in stage one right now. Go ahead and run it through all the next stages making sure to clean out the pits really good. If you are not happy with it after seeing it polished then you can always send it back to stage one or a grinding wheel. No harm no foul that way. I run plenty of rocks with a flaw or two if removing the flaw would mean removing to much character from the rock. Sometimes grinding more just opens up more pits. They still come out shiny. Chuck Ok, now you added a photo after I posted... That's one amazing rock!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 21, 2018 14:46:00 GMT -5
You could stop that one in stage one right now. Go ahead and run it through all the next stages making sure to clean out the pits really good. If you are not happy with it after seeing it polished then you can always send it back to stage one or a grinding wheel. No harm no foul that way. I run plenty of rocks with a flaw or two if removing the flaw would mean removing to much character from the rock. Chuck Thanks Chuck, I might just do it this way. I did remove a few others with that thought in mind but being new at this I was a little apprehensive. I'll put it in the bag with the others waiting for a barrel to open up for the next stage. Mike Just make sure the rocks with pits are never left to dry with any grit or polish in them. As soon as you rinse them off at clean out pull those ones aside and clean the pits out. I use high pressure water, toothbrush, and a really sharp steel pick for this. Chuck
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Post by miket on Sept 21, 2018 14:54:03 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck, I might just do it this way. I did remove a few others with that thought in mind but being new at this I was a little apprehensive. I'll put it in the bag with the others waiting for a barrel to open up for the next stage. Mike Just make sure the rocks with pits are never left to dry with any grit or polish in them. As soon as you rinse them off at clean out pull those ones aside and clean the pits out. I use high pressure water, toothbrush, and a really sharp steel pick for this. Chuck Ah, crap. I have some in a bag waiting for a barrel to open up that I thought I cleaned well enough but now I'm second guessing myself. Would putting them in water, then cleaning them again do it?
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 21, 2018 15:48:00 GMT -5
Just make sure the rocks with pits are never left to dry with any grit or polish in them. As soon as you rinse them off at clean out pull those ones aside and clean the pits out. I use high pressure water, toothbrush, and a really sharp steel pick for this. Chuck Ah, crap. I have some in a bag waiting for a barrel to open up that I thought I cleaned well enough but now I'm second guessing myself. Would putting them in water, then cleaning them again do it? In my experience the first few stages clean out pretty easily so you may be alright. It is my polish stage that is the real bugger. I do not let my rocks dry out between stages though. If they have to wait they wait in a bowl of water. Chuck
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Post by MsAli on Sept 21, 2018 16:01:33 GMT -5
Ah, crap. I have some in a bag waiting for a barrel to open up that I thought I cleaned well enough but now I'm second guessing myself. Would putting them in water, then cleaning them again do it? In my experience the first few stages clean out pretty easily so you may be alright. It is my polish stage that is the real bugger. I do not let my rocks dry out between stages though. If they have to wait they wait in a bowl of water. Chuck I have mine sitting in a bowl of water also. I think I learned that tip here
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goatgrinder
spending too much on rocks
Make mine a man cave
Member since January 2017
Posts: 368
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Post by goatgrinder on Sept 21, 2018 16:28:31 GMT -5
Why on earth? We have pits and so do rocks. And yours is a really good looking rock. That satisfies me.
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Post by miket on Sept 21, 2018 16:38:39 GMT -5
Ah, crap. I have some in a bag waiting for a barrel to open up that I thought I cleaned well enough but now I'm second guessing myself. Would putting them in water, then cleaning them again do it? In my experience the first few stages clean out pretty easily so you may be alright. It is my polish stage that is the real bugger. I do not let my rocks dry out between stages though. If they have to wait they wait in a bowl of water. Chuck Good advice, I appreciate it!
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Post by miket on Sept 21, 2018 16:40:11 GMT -5
Why on earth? We have pits and so do rocks. And yours is a really good looking rock. That satisfies me. True. I do have pits...and cracks...and wrinkles It's moving on
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Post by miket on Sept 21, 2018 16:43:04 GMT -5
Here are some closeup pics, not great but all I have is my phone. Blurry, sorry. I want to keep the patterns, I don't think I've lost much yet Plus, as Chuck said, I think I have noticed more pits and cracks in some of the stuff I've tumbled But I'm still learning, thanks to all for the tips!
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surreality
starting to spend too much on rocks
is picking up too many rocks at the beach again
Member since January 2012
Posts: 217
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Post by surreality on Sept 21, 2018 23:59:05 GMT -5
I go with buckets of water for between-stage rocks, or if I know they're going to wait a while, a tupperware or similar container with a lid. Works wonders!
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Post by fernwood on Sept 22, 2018 6:13:23 GMT -5
I like tumbled rocks with pits containing druzy crystals. To me it makes them even more special.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on Sept 22, 2018 9:36:34 GMT -5
Point taken - I have rolled a few rocks longer than I should have, they didn't turn out as good as when I first started them... Lesson learned! If you like it, than don't push it... Thumbs up
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Post by victor1941 on Sept 22, 2018 11:39:13 GMT -5
If you can't remove the pits by tumbling you can use a polymer and fill them. Polish these areas to your satisfaction so that they blend in. I have read some articles where the polymer was colored for an exact or close match.
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Post by TheRock on Sept 24, 2018 5:48:24 GMT -5
In my experience the first few stages clean out pretty easily so you may be alright. It is my polish stage that is the real bugger. I do not let my rocks dry out between stages though. If they have to wait they wait in a bowl of water. Chuck Must of not been paying attention So Ill ask..... What does leaving them in water do?
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