James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Mar 26, 2005 20:44:38 GMT -5
Well, here they are, the tiger-eye I've been talking about. They came out pretty good. The shine on them is the best I've done yet. However, the polishing medium wasn't viscous enough, so some of the corners got bruised... They went in coarse for 1 month, (recharging every week) 120/220 for 2 weeks, 1000 ao for 1 week and tin oxide for 1 week. The secret here, is the 1000 ao. Also, rather than going 120/220 and then 500, I simply left them in 120/220 for twice as long. The grit broke down, therefore replacing the need for 500 grit. Knowing now, what I didn't expect then, I would have only left them in polish for 5 days. I would have also used few cups of sugar to thicken the viscosity, to prevent the bruising. I was having "issues" with my camera and these were the best shots that I could get, before sundown... They shine much more in the flesh.  The big piece in the middle measures 2-1/2 x 2-3/4 inches!     You can really see the shine in the one!   Hey, who put that in there?  That's a really nice piece of Mexican crazy-lace with hematite bands running parallel with the agate.   Thanks For Looking!  |
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Post by Alice on Mar 26, 2005 20:54:18 GMT -5
WOW! They're all beautiful, even with the cracks and bruises.
Question about grit... If after 7 days you still have grit in your barrel, should you still recharge? or let it run till there's no more left, then recharge?
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Mar 26, 2005 21:09:52 GMT -5
Hi Alice, I'd just let'em go until all the grit breaks down, then clean and recharge.
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Post by americanbulldogsnj on Mar 26, 2005 21:39:07 GMT -5
Beautiful stones, the shine is absolutely fantastic! Now I know why you were up at night anxious about your stones...lol
Marian
ps
Oh and thanks for the tip about leaving them in 120/220 twice as long makes sense!
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Post by gaetzchamp on Mar 26, 2005 21:54:28 GMT -5
Bravo James, now you can get a good nights sleep right.
Sorry to hear about the bruising. Probably ticks you off a little bit eh?
Thanks for sharing, you sure are putting up some good stuff.
Gaetz
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Post by sandsman1 on Mar 26, 2005 22:46:21 GMT -5
you realy did a great job on those james (beautiful)
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Post by Cher on Mar 26, 2005 23:07:54 GMT -5
Ooooooo James, absolutely gorgeous. I love tiger eye, it was the first piece of polished rock I ever owned, a gift from my uncle when I was young. You always do such a beautiful job, I'm impressed with your formula, too bad about the bruising. I take it you don't use any pellets in your barrels.
Cher
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Post by stoner on Mar 26, 2005 23:33:08 GMT -5
Hey James. Just so you'll feel better, I was having anxiety attacks waiting for you to post the pics you promised.  But, as usual, another fantastic batch of stones. You're right about the 1000ao being the key to getting tigereye to take a great shine. I think you mentioned it a long time ago, and I had some tigereye just out of polish that wasn't quite there, so I ran them thru 1000 and then polish again and they came out alot better. Where'd you pick up the rough? It's got alot of layers. Very Nice. Ed |
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Mar 27, 2005 0:23:18 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback guy's and gal's! I did use pellets with this load but there were too many large pieces in the mix and they banged up the smaller ones. Plus, some of this stuff was softer than usual. I like the small compact pieces myself. The banding is better and they take a higher polish. This material was shipped to me, straight from the source in Africa. I got it from Gerdus at www.mineralgallery.co.za/ I asked him for only small (golden) pieces ranging in size from 1 to 1-1/2 inches thick and he sent me large pieces from 2 to 2-1/2 inches thick. Plus some Blue eye. One pice was even 3 inches thick!!! I'm still 1000% satisfied and I'd buy from him again without a doubt!!! I bought 20 killo's of the stuff. Several months back I started "roughing" it out. The second load is almost done with 60/90. I'll have pics up in a month or two. Willow Creek jasper is up next.  |
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Mar 27, 2005 0:53:09 GMT -5
ATTA BOY James another job well done.
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Mar 27, 2005 1:33:41 GMT -5
Thanks ...
My eyes just popped out of my head and the dog though I was tossing him a treat .... eewwwgghhhh!
I seen all the way down his throat ... now, that was interesting and scary at the same time! ;D
John
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Mar 27, 2005 2:44:31 GMT -5
Yet another spectacular batch, James. My favourite is the big honkin' piece in dead centre ... 2.5" to 3" banded tiger eye... I didn't even realize it came in such thick bands, that's got to be a rarity! Shine looks fantastic!
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Rose
Cave Dweller 
Member since November 2004
Posts: 875
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Post by Rose on Mar 27, 2005 2:56:45 GMT -5
WOW my eyes my eyes ;D That shine is amazing !!!
Lovely batch
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Mar 27, 2005 10:01:16 GMT -5
Great shine...I am convinced it is the 1000AO that makes the difference
csroc
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Post by rockyraccoon on Mar 27, 2005 10:20:29 GMT -5
always a treat to see your batches! great job james.
kim
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Post by Condor on Mar 27, 2005 10:29:37 GMT -5
When I grow up, I want all my tumbled rocks to shine just as nice as yours James.
Condor
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Post by stoner on Mar 28, 2005 1:40:26 GMT -5
Didn't want to have to keep going to another page to view these, so here they are on top-where they belong. Actually, I told my nephew about this message board and all the cool pics and he was interested in tiger eye.
Ed
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Post by creativeminded on Mar 28, 2005 9:51:58 GMT -5
The tigereye turned out very nice, as did your mex lace.
Tami
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Post by Tweetiepy on Mar 28, 2005 9:58:48 GMT -5
Fantastic stones - I couldn't see any bruising... but then again I'm still pretty new at this - But I do know great shine! WOW Love Tiger eye - could you facet that for a ring? |
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Mar 28, 2005 10:22:37 GMT -5
ATTENTION ATTENTION- The Bar has been raised once again- AWESOME- Seems like the shine is ON!
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That's a really nice piece of Mexican crazy-lace with hematite bands running parallel with the agate.
But, as usual, another fantastic batch of stones. You're right about the 1000ao being the key to getting tigereye to take a great shine. I think you mentioned it a long time ago, and I had some tigereye just out of polish that wasn't quite there, so I ran them thru 1000 and then polish again and they came out alot better.
