NMRockhound
starting to shine!
Member since October 2004
Posts: 48
|
Post by NMRockhound on Dec 6, 2004 0:45:03 GMT -5
I recently finished a batch of agate, jasper and quartz I picked up from a site near Los Lunas, New Mexico. Most of the stuff I got takes a good polish, but it's more or less run-of-the-mill material, no spectacular patterns or brilliant colors. But it's only 45 minutes from my house and I can get as much as I want...  I'm pretty happy with the results and I'll be starting another batch in next day or so. I was a little more selective about this second batch, so hopefully I'll get even better results. - Robert  |
|
Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
|
Post by Banjocreek on Dec 6, 2004 0:55:12 GMT -5
Very nice shine there Robert.
Looks far better than jelly beans.
I think it looks darn right great!
You work with what you get, and I'd say that what you've got there is not bad at all.
Good job!!
|
|
|
|
Post by stoner on Dec 6, 2004 1:05:11 GMT -5
Very cool. Excellent job on the polish. If this is your local rock, then I'd say you're pretty fortunate. Keep up the great work. We're all picture junkies here, so post more of your results. I'd also be interested in seeing what they look like rough.
Ed
|
|
rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
|
Post by rollingstone on Dec 6, 2004 1:33:50 GMT -5
Nice stones, and nicely tumbled!
I've been developing a keen interest lately in local stones that people are finding and tumbling. The commercial materials are always going to have a "wow" effect, but the local stones are often things that we won't ever see commercially, so they are truly unique. This is real stuff that people are going out and finding and tumbling, and doing one heck of a job with. That's pretty cool in itself, so keep the local stone pics coming!
|
|
|
|
Post by rockyraccoon on Dec 6, 2004 2:23:06 GMT -5
well i think they are anything but run-of-the-mill - very nice job!
kim
|
|
|
|
Post by krazydiamond on Dec 6, 2004 7:53:08 GMT -5
wish i had that kind of stuff locally! wow!
great shine there too!
KD
|
|
|
|
Post by Cher on Dec 6, 2004 8:59:20 GMT -5
Great job Robert and definitely some nice "local" stuff. You're ok if you only go to one area but if you venture out further, I'd suggest keeping record of where you went and maybe a picture or two. I love my local stuff and have some pieces in the tumber that are really neat. I didn't keep any records so now I'm wishing I could remember where I got them.   |
|
|
|
Post by BearCreekLapidary on Dec 6, 2004 11:05:15 GMT -5
Hello Robert,
You should be very happy with your local material ... the only material that we have in my part of the Country ... is being rolled around by "dung beetles"!
John
Southwestern Kansas
|
|
|
|
Post by cookie3rocks on Dec 6, 2004 19:08:53 GMT -5
Hey NMR,
Great shine on those, what's your formula? Do you tumble or vibe?
Would you be interested in a trade? ;D
cookie
|
|
James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
|
Post by James on Dec 7, 2004 1:19:48 GMT -5
those are beautiful! They even look good enough to eat!!! |
|
|
|
Post by Original Admin on Dec 7, 2004 3:30:43 GMT -5
Nice shapes - looks like they have done some serious 80 grit punishment!
|
|
NMRockhound
starting to shine!
Member since October 2004
Posts: 48
|
Post by NMRockhound on Dec 7, 2004 18:16:48 GMT -5
Thanks for all the comments. I use a rotary tumbler (Lortone 45C). The formula I used for this batch was:
1. Two sessions of 60/90 for 7 days each
2. 120/220 for 9 days
3. 600 for 9 days
4. Polish for 7 days
5. Burnish for 2 days
I also ran a cleaning step for one day between the 600 and the polish, where I loaded the barrel with the stones, plastic pellets and a couple tablespoons of Ivory shavings. Although I ran the 120/220 and 600 stages for 9 days, it wasn't intentional--I just got busy and wasn't able to get around to changing grits.
- Robert
|
|
|
|
Post by puppie96 on Dec 8, 2004 22:56:42 GMT -5
Nice stones, and nicely tumbled! I've been developing a keen interest lately in local stones that people are finding and tumbling. The commercial materials are always going to have a "wow" effect, but the local stones are often things that we won't ever see commercially, so they are truly unique. This is real stuff that people are going out and finding and tumbling, and doing one heck of a job with. That's pretty cool in itself, so keep the local stone pics coming! You know you're singing my song. Right now I've got widely spaced geographical area and closely spaced sites right within an hour of the house. This stuff is endlessly fascinating and the unpredictability is really addicting. Would someone please direct me to the nearest 12-grind meeting? |
|
chassroc
Cave Dweller 
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
|
Post by chassroc on Mar 8, 2005 22:06:14 GMT -5
Robert,
Was going through some old pictures and saw this thread. I have some of those Los Lunas rocks, Picked them up last Fall, was my first stop out of the Albuquerque airport. Those took a really nice shine.
csroc
|
|
|
|
Post by Condor on Mar 8, 2005 22:43:06 GMT -5
They look great. You're not too far from where I live and you have just motivated me to go out to the desert to collect some of that type of rock. They're all over. Hope they come out as good as yours.
Condor
|
|
|
|
Post by creativeminded on Mar 9, 2005 9:39:59 GMT -5
Beautiful shine on those stones.
Tami
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
|
Post by stefan on Mar 9, 2005 11:54:45 GMT -5
Nice looking local-- Sure did shine!
|
|
|
|
Post by BearCreekLapidary on Mar 10, 2005 9:43:23 GMT -5
Hello Robert,
Those look great!
I have agree ... they look good enough to eat ... I guess I should go and get some breakfast ;D
Thanks for sharing,
John
|
|
I'm pretty happy with the results and I'll be starting another batch in next day or so. I was a little more selective about this second batch, so hopefully I'll get even better results.
