tumblee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2021
Posts: 154
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Post by tumblee on May 8, 2021 22:00:23 GMT -5
Pic of the batch going a bit over a month in stage 1. Stage 2 now? Any reason to use borax or dawn before moving on? First pic dry and second, you guessed it... Some red I'm not to impressed with. Krissykitty, There are porous streaks that go through mine. Dark lines of soft material. Am thinking if they traverse the whole rock, will remove. Seems the finer ones will smooth out. Not sure about the mud flat looking cracks on yours. Look superficial to me. Any need for borax or wait for prepolish?
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Post by jasoninsd on May 8, 2021 22:07:12 GMT -5
While you're waiting for answers from the more experienced tumblers, I'll just interject - WOW! Those are really going to look amazing!
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tumblee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2021
Posts: 154
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Post by tumblee on May 8, 2021 23:01:02 GMT -5
While you're waiting for answers from the more experienced tumblers, I'll just interject - WOW! Those are really going to look amazing! Thanks. Put them in borax and will see if any difference. Probably a waste of time, because I'm guessing the soap needs to be used between polishing stages. Am carrying on the ceramic filler with the rocks. Some of those are getting slim also.
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Post by jasoninsd on May 8, 2021 23:10:07 GMT -5
While you're waiting for answers from the more experienced tumblers, I'll just interject - WOW! Those are really going to look amazing! Thanks. Put them in borax and will see if any difference. Probably a waste of time, because I'm guessing the soap needs to be used between polishing stages. Am carrying on the ceramic filler with the rocks. Some of those are getting slim also. So, I've always added the Borax to the existing stage while it was still running. I add it when I know the stage is ending within a couple hours. I thought I read somewhere to do this so it makes cleaning up easier. However, I add it right at the start when I'm doing the polish stage and let it run the whole stage. So far, this has worked pretty well for me... I didn't write this earlier as I was waiting to see if the more experienced tumblers would chime in. Have you tried searching the forum for "borax" to see if there's some answers in another thread? I know there's a bunch of discussions about Borax on here.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on May 9, 2021 18:48:53 GMT -5
Sometimes I add borax, sometimes I don't. I have never noticed a difference except with Obsidian or glass. Borax help reduce the gas build up in that case.
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krissykitty
starting to shine!
Member since May 2021
Posts: 25
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Post by krissykitty on May 9, 2021 20:11:36 GMT -5
Oh, I'm glad I checked this! I didn't expect to be mentioned haha. Its so cool to see your progress since you're a few weeks ahead of where I'm at on mine. Yours are looking so good! It makes me excited to continue mine Are those a few pieces of Kambaba Jasper in the upper right? The hairline cracks that I mentioned that are on mine are definitely like dark lines, although I'm unsure if I could tell if the material was porous or not. aDave on my post mentioned that they looked like heat cracks, and I think that they may be right about that. I am hoping that mine may disappear with another week or so in 60/90. Even if they're on the finished product, I think it will be very hard to feel them, if at all. I'm still super new to tumbling, and this may be overkill, but I definitely plan to run borax before going to each new stage. I think especially with any hairline cracks or streaks of porous material, it'd be the safest bet. But to be honest, I tend to overthink so I know it'd be best for my peace of mind, personally lol.
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tumblee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2021
Posts: 154
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Post by tumblee on May 9, 2021 21:39:23 GMT -5
Are those a few pieces of Kambaba Jasper in the upper right? The hairline cracks that I mentioned that are on mine are definitely like dark lines, although I'm unsure if I could tell if the material was porous or not. aDave on my post mentioned that they looked like heat cracks, and I think that they may be right about that. Not sure of the Jasper, it came in an assortment. Lost about 30% tumbling with the Tiger. Just started myself but have read here that heating gold tiger makes red, hence the fractures? Here is the same set dry and wet after borax. Went into 2 last night. My other batch #1 was cleaned today and will continue for another week. put around 6 pieces of lace agate in out of curiosity. Have a feeling the Tiger will win this battle also. Will post pics of both next weekend.
Boraxed before stage 2.
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tumblee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2021
Posts: 154
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Post by tumblee on May 11, 2021 23:53:27 GMT -5
Have stage one and two running now. As mentioned before, I put around 6 pieces of lace agate from Summerville Ga. in the stage 1 with tiger. The agate I used was small and solid. Pics on Sat. Now my real question is how would you attack this lace agate? Reminds me of Oyster clusters. Have no wet saw, so hammer and chisel is in store for most large pieces is my guess. The one top right has a hole all the way through. Good spot for testing the chisel out? Thanks all for the input. All is welcome because I'm on the first batches. Seems to be an inexpensive hobby unless I build one of those RTH custom tumblers. 25 lbs a pop might not be readily explained to the Bride.
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tumblee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2021
Posts: 154
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Post by tumblee on May 12, 2021 0:48:02 GMT -5
Plan of attack, Left to right after sorting. Looking forward to what happens!
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,432
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Post by Wooferhound on May 12, 2021 7:01:22 GMT -5
I would throw it all in the tumbler as-is and let it roll a week in Stage 1 to clean it off good. That will help you to decide if or where to chisel them.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on May 12, 2021 9:02:57 GMT -5
tumblee and krissykitty just an FYI - to tag someone in your post put the "@" sign in front of their name. Usually their tagging name is the same as their handle but there a few people that are different. If you hover over the name their tag name will show.
You can also use the button right above with the @ symbol and person in it. You put in the name of the person you want to tag and then click on the correct one. It will automatically insert in your post.
When you tag someone, they will get a notification and will find your post quicker.
You guys are doing great with your tigereye tumbles. Carry on!
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krissykitty
starting to shine!
Member since May 2021
Posts: 25
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Post by krissykitty on May 12, 2021 11:22:53 GMT -5
tumblee and krissykitty just an FYI - to tag someone in your post put the "@" sign in front of their name. Usually their tagging name is the same as their handle but there a few people that are different. If you hover over the name their tag name will show.
You can also use the button right above with the @ symbol and person in it. You put in the name of the person you want to tag and then click on the correct one. It will automatically insert in your post.
When you tag someone, they will get a notification and will find your post quicker.
You guys are doing great with your tigereye tumbles. Carry on!
Ah, thank you so much for that lol! I was actually just wondering how to go about that and I was going to figure out how to do so the next time it was needed, but now I know thanks to you Awesome. I've used some other forums before but it always seems like each one has their own little quirks on how to do certain things haha. I've also noticed that everyone here seems incredibly nice, helpful, and responsive! I'm super glad I took the jump to make my first post here.
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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 May 13, 2021 8:09:38 GMT -5
Hi Tumblee - The tumble pictures you posted look good, but not finished yet. I'm fussy and hate to see pits, cracks, chips, etc. in what some consider to be a finished tumbled rock. Everyone has a standard that makes them happy I guess. Here is a good book that will definitely help you decide whether or not your rocks are finished, polished tumbled enough. I gave copies of it to my granddaughters in Montana and Florida, and my daughter in Port Angeles, Washington. All said it was a big help and had great success with their tumbling. It is written by an engineer and saves gobs of time getting to the finished rocks that look so good they could be in the Smithsonian Hall of Gems. rocktumbler.com/book.shtmlwww.si.edu/spotlight/geogalleryHang in there, be patient, the rocks will speak to you and tell you when they are finished being tumbled.
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tumblee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2021
Posts: 154
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Post by tumblee on May 13, 2021 23:25:09 GMT -5
Hi Tumblee - The tumble pictures you posted look good, but not finished yet. I'm fussy and hate to see pits, cracks, chips, etc. in what some consider to be a finished tumbled rock. Everyone has a standard that makes them happy I guess. Hang in there, be patient, the rocks will speak to you and tell you when they are finished being tumbled. Thanks Gator! I believe I need a few more barrels at this point. Don't want any cracks, chips or fractures at all, just a perfect shining surface. I suppose I could study the subject in depth, but being taken under a wing here seems better. No substitute for first hand experience. Want to do a cleanout yesterday but must wait for Sat. and Sun. and will post more pics. Too many rocks and not enough time or space!
Anybody here been in counseling for this addiction? Thanks all for the input!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on May 14, 2021 9:50:12 GMT -5
Hi Tumblee - The tumble pictures you posted look good, but not finished yet. I'm fussy and hate to see pits, cracks, chips, etc. in what some consider to be a finished tumbled rock. Everyone has a standard that makes them happy I guess. Hang in there, be patient, the rocks will speak to you and tell you when they are finished being tumbled. Thanks Gator! I believe I need a few more barrels at this point. Don't want any cracks, chips or fractures at all, just a perfect shining surface. I suppose I could study the subject in depth, but being taken under a wing here seems better. No substitute for first hand experience. Want to do a cleanout yesterday but must wait for Sat. and Sun. and will post more pics. Too many rocks and not enough time or space!
Anybody here been in counseling for this addiction? Thanks all for the input!
Nope. We all like it too much!
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tumblee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2021
Posts: 154
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Post by tumblee on May 16, 2021 2:08:15 GMT -5
Month on 1 and cleaned up stage 2 after this week. Dark jaspers look wore out. Lace agate with tiger rough pics tomorrow.
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tumblee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2021
Posts: 154
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Post by tumblee on May 16, 2021 2:26:32 GMT -5
How do I make them shine like the water does? Moh about 7.
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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 May 16, 2021 2:36:29 GMT -5
Send them to the prepolish and polish stages. Got the grits?
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tumblee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2021
Posts: 154
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Post by tumblee on May 17, 2021 21:38:36 GMT -5
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,432
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Post by Wooferhound on May 18, 2021 4:42:33 GMT -5
So Monday is cleanout day now... Have some pics of progress. Lesson #1 - Don't do your cleanouts in the sink .
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