stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jul 2, 2005 19:08:00 GMT -5
Well I had a bit more patience with these- plus I redid a few of the other ones- Still a long way to go but at least these had me feeling better There is one that may just turn out pretty cool (it's a piece of Martson Wood from banjo-  These were after 400  These after 1200- still need to work on getting out saw marks but they have a bit-o- shine! |
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Post by joe on Jul 2, 2005 21:06:29 GMT -5
Hi Stefan, those look so cool. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Today I drilled a hole in a polished rock using a lot of info gathered here(and a drill). I put a ring in it and put that on a chain. I know thats nothing compared to what you all are doing, but it made me feel so good! This is an excellent hobby and your beginning work looks GREAT to me! Thank you for sharing your positive excitement about rocks.
Joe
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ArkieRockhound
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2005
Posts: 870
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Post by ArkieRockhound on Jul 2, 2005 22:17:38 GMT -5
Hey, they're looking much better. Everytime you do it, it will get easier.
Trish
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jul 3, 2005 8:20:59 GMT -5
Thanks! Hey I just realized why these pics are a bit blurry! I took the shots on the worktable that has 2 tumblers running on it! Gotta remeber not to do that!
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Post by rockyraccoon on Jul 3, 2005 11:57:40 GMT -5
keep up the good work stefan. have you gotten any to polish yet?
kim
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Post by Cher on Jul 3, 2005 15:33:23 GMT -5
Stefan I believe you are getting the hang of it. Very neat shapes, it'll look great polished! Good job, keep it up.
Cher
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flowoxsgarden
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 196
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Post by flowoxsgarden on Jul 3, 2005 16:04:51 GMT -5
stefan, here's a little tip that I used to prevent ending up having the grinding marks when you think you're almost done with the stone. As you know, the thing is wet when you're working on it. While wet, it doesn't show you any of the marks. So when I was working at the Genie, I would use my shirt to dry the stone off after working on it on one wheel. That way I could see if there were marks before I went to the next wheel. You may already do this but I thought I would mention it anyway  keep drying it and check it out before you move on, helps the frustration before you get to the last wheel and think you're just about done and then suddenly see all those grinding marks still there somewhere  |
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Post by krazydiamond on Jul 3, 2005 17:17:01 GMT -5
in the same vein as Flo, i often work several stones and was always frustrated when i was all done that when they dried i picked up grinder marks in the sun shine, now, not only do i dry them on my shirt, towels, etc, i set jars in the sun shine and put the rocks there to dry while i work on the others, nothing like sunshine to accent the flaws. if they are on dop sticks, open the lid, if they aren't leave the lid on.
it's always a pain in the butt to back up a few steps, but you end up with a better piece in the end.
hang in there Stefan, looks like you are getting the hang of it.
KD
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Post by Tweetiepy on Jul 4, 2005 5:45:32 GMT -5
Stefan those are really great! Do I spot sodalite in the lower corner upper pic?
Is it easier to start with softer stone or harder stone? Or is it the same amount of work for either?
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jul 4, 2005 7:20:07 GMT -5
WOW good eye Tweet- Yes that is a bit of sodalite- Hmmmm I first thought to say softer stone is easier but the sodalite is a bugger! It turns a bit wax-y when it get warm and then just quits shaping??? Kinda strange- I worked some obsidian and that shapes really nice- but the harder stone are easier to (less likely to crumble apart) abuse (or more forgiving) Grinding does make the tumbling process much easier to comprehend (I think Trish had said this) It also gives you a new take on patience!
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Rose
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2004
Posts: 875
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Post by Rose on Jul 4, 2005 11:48:58 GMT -5
Looking good Stefan, keep at it  |
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Post by stoner on Jul 4, 2005 22:59:56 GMT -5
Hi Stephan. The tips mentioned above are key to sucess and with practice, you'll become an expert at making cabs. Just a quick mention here, remember, your are using sanding belts and not grinding wheels, and therefore you have to work a little harder at shaping the stones and also removing scratches made by the coarse belts. I've found when just using belts it's better to have as many sucessive grits(80, 100, 120, 220etc.) as possible as it will make removing the scratches easier.
Keep up the good work, I already see progress.
Ed
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jul 5, 2005 8:32:56 GMT -5
Ed thanks- I use this order- 100, 220 (I have a 120 belt but not sure why I got it??) 400,600,1200 and a Leather belt with Cerium Oxide- This is what sands advised me to get- I'm gonna reorder some more in a while and was thinking of adding a 320grit and possible an 80 (roughing on the 100 seems slow) Or maybe a Diamond belt or 2- which would be better- Run diamond for roughing or for final finishing (before polish) at the price of the diamond I'll only be getting them once!
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Post by creativeminded on Jul 5, 2005 8:52:43 GMT -5
You are getting off to a great start.
Tami
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