NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Mar 13, 2019 9:56:55 GMT -5
After spending the last couple of hours rendering large rocks in to smaller ones for another STAGE 1 rotary session, using a 4 lb. hammer, chisel, and other primitive devices, a thought occurred to me.
I bet that there are only two groups of people who use a 4 lb. hammer to smash rocks. Those who have regrettably already crushed one of their fingers with the hammer, and those who are about to.
With all of this tumbling going on, especially with the importance of smalls (or mediums) to help the action of shaping the STAGE 1 rocks, where are you getting your smalls from?
Poll:
a) I smash larger rocks in to smaller ones using a 4 lb. hammer. I will probably regret doing this
b) I buy a lot of my smalls from online vendors or a local rock shop. These rocks are very pretty
c) I live next to a rock quarry or endless source of smalls. I go over and get a barrel full when needed
d) I have been robbing smalls from my home landscaping for years. The yard is starting to look barren
e) I never remove mediums or smalls from Stage 1. The bigs turn to mediums, mediums to smalls
f) I don't. Instead I use a ceramic media (large, mixed, etc) for this. Every once in a while buying more
g) I am super human. I simply crush rocks with my bare hands. You puny weakling!
h) Smalls? What would I possibly do with those?
I realize every situation is different. There is no perfect answer. Plus, it could be more than just 1 from below. Or perhaps, even something else.
Thank you!
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Post by miket on Mar 13, 2019 10:15:53 GMT -5
"I bet that there are only two groups of people who use a 4 lb. hammer to smash rocks. Those who have regrettably already crushed one of their fingers with the hammer, and those who are about to."
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Post by MsAli on Mar 13, 2019 10:27:44 GMT -5
Aquarium gravel
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Post by roy on Mar 13, 2019 10:33:19 GMT -5
from my back yard lol sorry i couldnt resist
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 13, 2019 10:39:09 GMT -5
Two apply for me.
a) I smash larger rocks in to smaller ones using a 4 lb. hammer. I will probably regret doing this 4 pound hammer is my small hammer. 8 and 10 get more use for breaking rocks. Been busting up large rough for my tumbles for a long time without any hammer related injuries. Flying rock shrapnel in more dangerous so proper attire is important.
f) I don't. Instead I use a ceramic media (large, mixed, etc) for this. Every once in a while buying more for the most part I do not try to tumble rocks under 3/8". Too much work involved to try to get a rock that small to be perfect with no grit catching pits. After stage one my rocks go into the vibe tumbler with very dependable ceramic filler.
Chuck
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Post by fernwood on Mar 13, 2019 10:43:20 GMT -5
My fields. They are sand/gravel mostly. Had about 4, 5 gallon pails of quartz type, smooth 1/4" pieces 3 years ago. Still using some of them, but they are well polished. Also have a ready supply from local landscape company for $2.00/5 gallon pail.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,647
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Post by Tommy on Mar 13, 2019 11:00:37 GMT -5
a. I smash larger rocks with a heavy hammer. Her name is Big Bertha and I'm not sure how much she weighs nor have I dared to ask her. I have so far not regretted it and I wear safety glasses and keep my hands positioned so a finger smashing is not likely to happen. The irony here is I don't even tumble rough rocks. I have QT66 but haven't used it in four years. I give my smashes away mostly.
I typically smash rocks that are of a hardness that I know will tumble good, too good to throw away, and are not quite good enough to waste my sawing time or blade on.
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Post by aliengreensoul on Mar 13, 2019 11:29:58 GMT -5
Aquarium gravel and plastics from shops and also plastic beads sold online though I am just a beginner
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Mar 13, 2019 11:50:44 GMT -5
Ceramics for 120/220 thru polish in vibes......and the pounds of irregulars accumulated that didn't make the grade during various grinding cycles, some actually turn out quite nice "eventually"......
Note: "Ask The Pro's"..........should mention, not a pro, don't do this to make money or gain return on investment,.......only spend it when I have it to spend....... It's one of many "hobbies" I enjoy.
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Post by Rockindad on Mar 13, 2019 17:04:27 GMT -5
Far from a pro but we use ceramics and break up some of the same stones that we are running as we like to have some small ones too. Of course that only helps during that particular run as we keep the smalls after polish, thus the ceramics.
Al
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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 Mar 13, 2019 17:19:38 GMT -5
"C"
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Post by nowyo on Mar 13, 2019 18:36:52 GMT -5
a) mostly. 8 pound hammer, 4 pound hammer. Home built hydraulic press thing. Wind up with plenty of little pieces. Really don't mess with smalls much, they just wind up in there and keep running in coarse until they disappear.
Not a pro, but I did stay in a sleazy motel once. OK, maybe more than once.
Russ
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Mar 13, 2019 18:52:51 GMT -5
Two apply for me. a) I smash larger rocks in to smaller ones using a 4 lb. hammer. I will probably regret doing this 4 pound hammer is my small hammer. 8 and 10 get more use for breaking rocks. Been busting up large rough for my tumbles for a long time without any hammer related injuries. Flying rock shrapnel in more dangerous so proper attire is important. f) I don't. Instead I use a ceramic media (large, mixed, etc) for this. Every once in a while buying more for the most part I do not try to tumble rocks under 3/8". Too much work involved to try to get a rock that small to be perfect with no grit catching pits. After stage one my rocks go into the vibe tumbler with very dependable ceramic filler. Chuck Thanks Chuck. A, and F are both exactly how I am doing it now. I just don't get enough little ones from crushing. Not as much as I want. So about 1.5 cups of ceramic media (mixed) is being used. I have bought more, just for this STAGE 1 bit, unless I figure something else out. [Edit] But it is good to know that after years, you have not crushed a finger yet!!! Gratz!
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Mar 13, 2019 19:02:46 GMT -5
I like this idea (other than you have to pay for it), better than my idea. Today I drove by one of those rock supply places for landscaping, and they had this really small stuff. Like pea gravel, only larger and bit more decorative. The coin is a Kennedy .50 dollar (sorry, first thing I picked up). Notes: The rock is a bit larger than I want, plus I think he wanted me to buy 1/2 a ton or it or something... [Edit] Funny this, but I bet that this pea gravel looks better than my agate does after 6 weeks of tumbling ..
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Post by MsAli on Mar 13, 2019 19:07:10 GMT -5
I pay under 5.00 for 2lbs which lasts a while. 1/2 ton is a lot of rock
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Mar 13, 2019 19:08:22 GMT -5
My fields. They are sand/gravel mostly. Had about 4, 5 gallon pails of quartz type, smooth 1/4" pieces 3 years ago. Still using some of them, but they are well polished. Also have a ready supply from local landscape company for $2.00/5 gallon pail. Now $2.00 per 5 gallon bucket would be a price I can embrace. Hmm. I just need to find a landscaper now. Or, sneak in to the rock supply place after hours every couple of months and steal rocks from them. Who does that?!?! Me, when I was 15. Hmm. Stop bad thoughts ...
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Mar 13, 2019 19:09:51 GMT -5
I pay under 5.00 for 2lbs which lasts a while. 1/2 ton is a lot of rock Yeah, I like your idea anyway. I am stopping by PetSmart and PetCo this weekend to see what I can come up with. Thank you very much!!
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Mar 13, 2019 19:13:42 GMT -5
a. I smash larger rocks with a heavy hammer. Her name is Big Bertha and I'm not sure how much she weighs nor have I dared to ask her. I have so far not regretted it and I wear safety glasses and keep my hands positioned so a finger smashing is not likely to happen. The irony here is I don't even tumble rough rocks. I have QT66 but haven't used it in four years. I give my smashes away mostly. I typically smash rocks that are of a hardness that I know will tumble good, too good to throw away, and are not quite good enough to waste my sawing time or blade on. Thanks Tommy. I tried the big sledge with the long handle, but I miss a lot. Plus once I sent a piece of Jasper flying over the fence in to the neighbors yard! So, I put an old T-Shirt over the rock to help with that. Then I started missing the rock all together, and just beating up the old T-Shirt. Hehe. Hmm... I get some from the rock saw now too. But like you say, there is no way I am going to spend an afternoon making smalls that way. Note: I also like to use rocks that are of correct hardness, such as Leaverite which I picked up by mistake (blush2) . At least they get used. Sometimes make cute small tumbles too!
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Post by MsAli on Mar 13, 2019 19:13:52 GMT -5
Quickret sells bags of gravel at the hardware stores too.
Bags are usually pretty inexpensive. 50lbs for under 10.00
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Mar 13, 2019 19:20:16 GMT -5
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