notfragile
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2021
Posts: 19
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Post by notfragile on Dec 9, 2021 18:33:37 GMT -5
I love this stuff, but it sure takes a long time to shape. Some of those pieces spent close to 6 months in coarse grit before I was satisfied.
I've been waiting for a sunny day to take a shot or two, but in the PNW in December, sunny days mostly happen to other people. Took these when I got a short break in the clouds.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 9, 2021 19:04:01 GMT -5
Beautiful job on those stones. I think the 6 months in course was worth it.
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Post by Son Of Beach on Dec 9, 2021 19:25:02 GMT -5
Lovely...that one you showcased is really really nice.
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catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Post by catskillrocks on Dec 9, 2021 19:51:18 GMT -5
Six months in coarse is a long time, but what you achieved was worth it. I looked hard and couldn't find a pit or any imperfection at all. Great job all around.
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 9, 2021 23:37:17 GMT -5
I completely agree with what others have already stated. The time you put into these paid off extremely well! They're gorgeous! I have some Bloodstone preforms that I'm planning on cabbing here shortly. I've never worked it, but your tumble has really given me some inspiration!
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stewdogg
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 388
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Post by stewdogg on Dec 10, 2021 10:13:17 GMT -5
That is a good looking mix of Bloodstone you have there. I really like the pattern on the one you showcased in the solo picture, you can get lost in the patterns. Nice show of patience!
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LazerFlash
Cave Dweller
The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 550
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Post by LazerFlash on Dec 10, 2021 18:30:49 GMT -5
I love this stuff, but it sure takes a long time to shape. Some of those pieces spent close to 6 months in coarse grit before I was satisfied. I've always thought that bloodstones look cool, tumbled, cabbed, or just raw (with the right stone). Six months in coarse? Was that a rotary or vib tumbler? How big was the rough when you started and how big or the final pieces?
And, I agree with the other... that solo piece is GREAT!
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notfragile
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2021
Posts: 19
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Post by notfragile on Dec 10, 2021 18:54:43 GMT -5
Thanks for the compliments, all. It's appreciated. And yeah, being patient is the lesson here. If you want to get them as close to perfect as possible, you have to put in the time.
Lazerflash, I use a QT-12 rotary for coarse, and that's all it does. I use a Mini-Sonic for the rest of the process. The largest chunks were about 2.5 to 3 inches before going into the barrel.
Not all of the pieces take that long, of course. If you look at the first pic you'll see a few deeply dished chunks along the top of the pic. Those are the ones that take a long time.
It helps that this material doesn't seem to have many pits or fractures, of course.
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 10, 2021 19:52:48 GMT -5
Bloodstone is amazing and so are your tumbles. They came out perfect!
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zarahbogan
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2023
Posts: 2
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Post by zarahbogan on Mar 29, 2023 1:57:12 GMT -5
Wow! Thanks for the heads up on that it can take up to 6 months. I've started tumbling bloodstone two weeks ago and every time I check on them, the slurry is really foamy.. is that normal or am I doing something wrong?
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quartzilla
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2020
Posts: 1,237
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Post by quartzilla on Mar 30, 2023 3:34:00 GMT -5
Stellar batch!
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mgroothuis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2022
Posts: 167
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Post by mgroothuis on Mar 30, 2023 7:08:30 GMT -5
Incredible stones! They really are beautiful.
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