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Post by HankRocks on Mar 3, 2021 10:48:28 GMT -5
Haven't tumbled a large rock in a while and the recent nicely finished product from Benathema motivated me to try another one. This rock has been setting on the workbench for a few months. Petrified Wood, river tumbled, so most likely source is the Rio Grande Valley. Not planning on tumbling out the natural pitted area visible on the top of the rock. For me they add a lot of character and it would be a shame to remove them. The starting weight of the rock is 2069 grams, just at 4 9/16 pounds. Now just need to select the lucky rocks that will accompany this brute on it's journey!! IMG_2620 by Findrocks, on Flickr IMG_2622 by Findrocks, on Flickr
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Benathema
has rocks in the head
God chased me down and made sure I knew He was real June 20, 2022. I've been on a Divine Mission.
Member since November 2019
Posts: 703
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Post by Benathema on Mar 3, 2021 14:53:02 GMT -5
Looking forward to seeing how it turns out!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Mar 3, 2021 15:30:35 GMT -5
I love these big rock tumbles. Looking forward to see this one!
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Post by jasoninsd on Mar 3, 2021 20:00:55 GMT -5
Definitely subscribing to this thread! I look forward to seeing the results along the way!
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Post by HankRocks on Mar 12, 2021 14:06:26 GMT -5
Ok, day 9 cleanout. Original weight 2069.51 grams, after 9 days 1986.73 grams, loss = 82.78 grams. I am going to estimate that when it gets to just 4 pounds, it will be ready to move on. Maybe 3 more coarse runs. IMG_2676 by Findrocks, on Flickr IMG_2675 by Findrocks, on Flickr No fractures showing up yet, it is losing a good bit of it's white surface exposing darker grain. Stay tuned.
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,506
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Post by Brian on Mar 12, 2021 14:17:12 GMT -5
That’s looking great so far! Just losing the lighter outer surface has made a big improvement and the colors are starting to come through nicely.
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Post by HankRocks on Mar 21, 2021 15:36:05 GMT -5
Ok 2nd cleanout - After 18 days 1940.45 grams, loss since 1st cleanout = 46.28 grams. Sorry no pics this time, wife was gone with camera and the big rock waits for no one or no camera. Loss was less this time, probably a lot of the easy losses(small pieces) broke off in first run. Much smoother, most of white coating is gone and really nice grain showing. Maybe two more coarse runs.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Mar 22, 2021 3:41:36 GMT -5
Go Henry. That fine piece of wood looks very familiar. 4 pounds is a moose.
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Post by HankRocks on Mar 22, 2021 6:55:35 GMT -5
Go Henry. That fine piece of wood looks very familiar. 4 pounds is a moose. By the original white coating and the river tumbled shape I am fairly certain it's from the Rio gravel beds near Zapata. I have a good number of those pieces, both wood and agate. They should make good candidates for "Big Tumbles". Most are solid as nature has pre-tumbled them for me and gotten rid of soft spots, pits and fractures.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Mar 22, 2021 7:59:58 GMT -5
Go Henry. That fine piece of wood looks very familiar. 4 pounds is a moose. By the original white coating and the river tumbled shape I am fairly certain it's from the Rio gravel beds near Zapata. I have a good number of those pieces, both wood and agate. They should make good candidates for "Big Tumbles". Most are solid as nature has pre-tumbled them for me and gotten rid of soft spots, pits and fractures. I did a 2 pounder out of that one's little brother and it was some solid and hard rock. The surface color and texture was exactly the same except yours has more red in it. It was so hard it took a long time to pre-grind. Pet wood from Texas is some real nice wood.
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Post by HankRocks on Mar 31, 2021 13:45:32 GMT -5
Update - After 28 days(1 day longer as I was on a "collecting" trip, more later on that) down another 21 grams to 1940.45. Progressing very nicely, I will do one more 9 day coarse run and then proceed with normal stages to Polish. IMG_2765 by Findrocks, on Flickr IMG_2759 by Findrocks, on Flickr I am glad I left the natural holes in the top side, took a needle and a couple of them measured almost an inch deep. They will be grit traps, but won't worry about that until I go to Polish. ( I am in the non-believer camp with regards to contamination between stages, simple rinse will do) Before Polish run I will try and high pressure hose into the holes, and maybe let gravity work for me. IMG_2762 by Findrocks, on Flickr I am pleased at how well it's doing. Proof will be in the finished product. I have been setting aside several candidates for "Big Tumble Runs". Looking for no fractures or deep dimples. I would say that the Rio's from South Texas seem to fit the bill nicely. Henry
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,506
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Post by Brian on Mar 31, 2021 15:07:30 GMT -5
Oh my! That is looking very nice! If it is looking like that already, I have high hopes for it polishing up very well!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 31, 2021 16:46:53 GMT -5
AWESOME! Looking good!
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Benathema
has rocks in the head
God chased me down and made sure I knew He was real June 20, 2022. I've been on a Divine Mission.
Member since November 2019
Posts: 703
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Post by Benathema on Mar 31, 2021 22:25:52 GMT -5
Luuuukin guuuud!
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Post by jasoninsd on Mar 31, 2021 22:42:10 GMT -5
That's looking awesome Henry! I think it's coming along fantastic! Thanks again for the vicarious journey!
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Post by HankRocks on Apr 9, 2021 18:32:07 GMT -5
Update - Day 37 down another 24 grams to 1912.62 grams. No picture as someone forgot to put the card back in the camera. I suspect they are in the camera somewhere, but pulling them off is beyond me. Decided that it was ready to move on to next stage, so it's now in 220 for 7 or 8 days.
No fractures are showing up so I remain hopeful that this one will turn out nicely.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 9, 2021 22:13:20 GMT -5
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Post by Toad on Apr 12, 2021 10:33:36 GMT -5
Brutus is looking great so far!
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Post by HankRocks on Apr 16, 2021 15:15:37 GMT -5
Update - Day 44 - 220 SiC stage cleanout. Down another 16 grams to 1896.38 grams. Still looking good. Started 600 SiC stage with 6 tbsp grit + added about 2 cups of dried 600 slurry. May run 7 or 8 days. The dried slurry should have some very fine SiC, maybe 1000 and smaller. It's all working to smooth the finish. Added one handfull of previously polished smalls to makeup for volume loss. IMG_2802 by Findrocks, on Flickr IMG_2803 by Findrocks, on Flickr There's a number of Blue Chalcedony pieces on the journey with the big guy. They didn't come out in the picture too well but they should polish up nicely.
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irlcjrohr
starting to spend too much on rocks
If it does not melt, polish it.
Member since April 2020
Posts: 123
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Post by irlcjrohr on Apr 16, 2021 15:50:47 GMT -5
Looking good, I have been experimenting adding dried slurry in my tumbles. Neat trick picked up from reading forum posts.
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