brilozada
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2020
Posts: 10
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Post by brilozada on Sept 16, 2020 20:06:36 GMT -5
Hi everyone! I’m new to rock tumbling and my first batch was completed. While they are very pretty they are lacking in shine.
I’m very new at this and would like some guidance on how to get better.
I have the Chicago Electric Dual Drum tumbler as well as a small Dan & Darci 1lb tumbler from amazon.
I just used the grit that it came with for my first batch. I ordered a pack of grit from Dan & Darci on amazon as well and used that for my second batch that just went in yesterday.
Is it the grit I’m using? I’m still a little confused on how to read the grit bottles.
Don’t judge me I’m just new to this trying to learn from other people that love this as much as I do! Thank you!!
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Post by manofglass on Sept 16, 2020 21:14:06 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Michigan
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Sept 16, 2020 22:18:50 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona. Not a tumbler so I can't help you out with that, but some of the experts will be along to help you out.
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stewdogg
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 388
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Post by stewdogg on Sept 16, 2020 22:59:14 GMT -5
What's your process and what grits are you using at each stage?
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Post by pauls on Sept 17, 2020 1:18:16 GMT -5
Hey, welcome from Australia. A photo of your unshiny rocks would help as well, The more information about what you are doing or not doing the better we can help you. The usual problems are caused by unsuitable rocks and following the tumbler instructions, yep you read that right, tumbler instructions are written to make the process look quick and uncomplicated so you will buy a tumbler. It usually isn't quick and it need not be complicated but it does require following a few simple rules or steps to get a good result.
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brilozada
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2020
Posts: 10
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Post by brilozada on Sept 17, 2020 11:01:32 GMT -5
Thank you all for the warm welcome! Happy to be here! I will be uploading some pictures in a little bit so you all have more of an idea of what I'm working with!
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Sept 17, 2020 14:32:59 GMT -5
Hi and welcome from Delaware. There is a great book called Modern Rock Tumbling that I highly recommend. It covers all the basics and if you follow the instructions you will have very good results. It lessens the learning curve quite a bit. rocktumbler.com/book.shtmlrocktumbler.com/
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Post by Bob on Sept 17, 2020 14:50:47 GMT -5
Boy do I second what pauls wrote. If you are patient, and don't get too frustrated, you can learn from all of us and eventually get there. Probably all of us went through the same steep learning curve.
I would enjoy knowing why you are doing this. For yourself? New hobby? Someone just gave you a tumbler? For a child to make pretty gifts? Something else?
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brilozada
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2020
Posts: 10
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Post by brilozada on Sept 17, 2020 15:32:00 GMT -5
Boy do I second what pauls wrote. If you are patient, and don't get too frustrated, you can learn from all of us and eventually get there. Probably all of us went through the same steep learning curve. I would enjoy knowing why you are doing this. For yourself? New hobby? Someone just gave you a tumbler? For a child to make pretty gifts? Something else? I enjoy trying new things and picking up new hobbies. This is one that i've been trying to get into for a long time and finally made the leap to try it and learn about it. I'd like to use the stones for some crafts that I make as well
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brilozada
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2020
Posts: 10
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Post by brilozada on Sept 17, 2020 15:32:54 GMT -5
I am having some issues with uploading pictures, once i find a solution pictures will be up!
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brilozada
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2020
Posts: 10
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Post by brilozada on Sept 17, 2020 15:46:36 GMT -5
This is my first batch (wet).
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Post by Bob on Sept 17, 2020 15:47:01 GMT -5
I started it 6 years ago at the suggestion of a friend to help keep my mind off a painful divorce. It worked. Now I'm an addict. You are sampling the drug. Welcome to our world. It's really fun, as long as you are strong in patience.
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brilozada
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2020
Posts: 10
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Post by brilozada on Sept 17, 2020 15:50:47 GMT -5
I started it 6 years ago at the suggestion of a friend to help keep my mind off a painful divorce. It worked. Now I'm an addict. You are sampling the drug. Welcome to our world. It's really fun, as long as you are strong in patience. Happy to hear that its helped you so much! In just a short time I can see why there is a community around this and I'm excited to learn from you all!
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brilozada
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2020
Posts: 10
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Post by brilozada on Sept 17, 2020 15:51:13 GMT -5
Hi and welcome. There is a great book called Modern Rock Tumbling that I highly recommend. It covers all the basics and if you follow the instructions you will have very good results. rocktumbler.com/book.shtmlrocktumbler.com/Thank you! I'll definitely look into that!
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brilozada
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2020
Posts: 10
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Post by brilozada on Sept 17, 2020 15:53:29 GMT -5
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Post by Bob on Sept 17, 2020 15:53:48 GMT -5
Okay, that tells us a lot. Those green tree agates (not really agates but that's what they are called) aren't easy to learn on and they almost always have porous areas. And the all white ones are probably quartzite or milky quartz, but lots of fractures and some problem areas. If you go without the green tree agates, please do so. If you have enough of the all white ones, that will be easier. You may also have to start over. I tumble a lot of what you appear to have, and it takes months to get good results, not weeks, for all the way through to the polished at end. Sorry if this sounds frustrating, but it can be worth it.
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Post by Bob on Sept 17, 2020 15:55:31 GMT -5
If you had the patience to learn how to upload photos in this forum, you have the patience for tumbling! I almost gave up on the phone part.
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Post by Pat on Sept 17, 2020 16:11:04 GMT -5
Welcome from California. Tumbling experts are here. Not me! When my first batch wasn’t done by 5:00 pm, I decided tumbling wasn’t for me. Good luck!
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brilozada
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2020
Posts: 10
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Post by brilozada on Sept 17, 2020 16:12:35 GMT -5
Welcome from California. Tumbling experts are here. Not me! When my first batch wasn’t done by 5:00 pm, I decided tumbling wasn’t for me. Good luck! HAHA
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Post by pauls on Sept 17, 2020 17:31:19 GMT -5
Hmmm, the grits you are using are keeping their secrets a bit, I have no idea what they are.
Most people here buy grits from "The rock shed" (I'm not affiliated at all with them) A suggestion for grit sizes is 80 grit (Silicon Carbide)for coarse grinding, you will need a fair amount of this as your stones will be in it for a long time. 220 grit Silicon Carbide, 600 grit Silicon Carbide or Aluminium Oxide. 14000 Al Oxide for polish. These are just suggestions you might find you can't buy these exact grit sizes, it doesn't matter, something close enough will do. Except for the polish it needs to be the 14000 AlO, a lot of the kits come with a 1200 grit and call it a polish, it isn't. Your stones look to be OK, certainly the white Quartz will polish I'm not sure about the green ones, I will go with what Bob said as I have no idea about them. Don't give up on them just put them aside until you have a bit more experience. I suggest some Agate and Petrified wood for your initial tumble, they are hard and stable so you will get a wow result. Be wary of softer stones like Fluorite and calcite and crystal Quartz, Amethyst etc. even I have trouble with them.
These are just suggestions everyone who tumbles does something different, you will soon come up with your own way of doing things, keep trying and keep asking questions.
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