terryb
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2005
Posts: 15
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Post by terryb on Nov 20, 2005 17:46:15 GMT -5
Here are some pics from our first batch. They are all local rocks that we picked up in the Central TX area. I know that one pic is of Llanoite, but I have no idea what the rocks in the other pictures are. Any help with identification would be appreciated. I have a lot to learn still, but I am very happy with the results of our first batch. As I was doing a final rinse on the rocks in the kitchen, my 6yr. old daughter picked up a large black rock, dried it off and rubbed it against her cheek. Her only comment was "Fun". We are enjoying our new hobby. Terryb This is the entire batch.  Here are some of our favorites.   Here is the Llanoite. Not really pleased with the results.  |
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Post by xenaswolf on Nov 20, 2005 17:48:46 GMT -5
Those look pretty darn good for a first batch. What recipe did you use? Glad you did a seperate photo of the Llanoite, I've heard of it, but never seen it before. Looks like you did well and you and the kids are going to enjoy this hobby  |
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,504
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 20, 2005 18:07:12 GMT -5
Really nice batch. The black ones are pretty neat. I suspect the problem with the llanoite is the fact that the components of the stone vary in hardness. Much of the composition is feldspar which is quite a bit softer than quartz family gems and might have to be tumbled separately for best results. Lots of the mixed composition stones I've tried are difficult even when tumbled by themselves and demand extra steps. You might try to look up a recipe for feldspar rich granite and see how that works...Mel
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Post by krazydiamond on Nov 20, 2005 18:09:34 GMT -5
First Batch?  wow, you are doing extremely well!!! what polsih did you use, terry? well done!!! KD |
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Post by Cher on Nov 20, 2005 18:10:41 GMT -5
That's a very pretty and colorful batch of rocks, nice shine too. What kind of polish did you use, perhaps you need to try a different kind. Good job and nice pics too. You said you were cleaning them in the kitchen, I hope not pouring the slurry down the drain, that's a nono.
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terryb
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2005
Posts: 15
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Post by terryb on Nov 20, 2005 19:28:34 GMT -5
Thanks All,
Mel, I think you are exactly right about the Llanoite. Thanks for the tip, I may try an entire batch of Llanoite someday with a different recipe.
Cher, I did not pour the slurry down the drain, just a final rinse. It must really mess up the plumbing, everything I have read has warned not to pour the slurry down the drain.
I ran for several weeks on 80 grit just to get enough stones ready for the next step. Many of the rocks had fractures and inclusions and had to be weeded out. I learned a lot about rock selection the hard way. I then ran a week at 220. I then ran for two weeks on 600 without recharge because I was out of town on business, followed by an overnight cleaning with Tide. I then ran for a week with CO followed by a 24 hour burnish with Tide.
terryb
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Post by rockds on Nov 21, 2005 0:26:40 GMT -5
good job, really like the balck ones and the res ones in the 3rd pic
robert
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Post by rockyraccoon on Nov 21, 2005 1:45:00 GMT -5
they all look great! i can't see anything wrong with the llanite. very nice batch!
kim
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Nov 21, 2005 2:27:47 GMT -5
An excellent tumble!
In your second pic, I'd call the big white ones at about 8 o'clock milky quartz.
The white ones with the red lines at 6 o'clock I'd also call milky quartz, with the red lines probably being some iron staining in fractures, that may or may not have "healed".
The black stones at 2 o'clock might be petrified wood, although they look rather rounded for that.
The orange and clear ones just left of centre I'd call either quartz or agate, again with the orange from iron impurities. I think technically agate has to be banded, but often the definition gets kind of loose and what you have is called agate too.
Anyway, those are my best guesses.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Nov 21, 2005 4:46:21 GMT -5
Hi A great job they look wonderfull and your first batch? You should have seen my first batch !!! no probaly not ! Jack Yorkshire UK |
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Nov 21, 2005 8:42:21 GMT -5
That's a great 1st batch. I just screwed up my 12th or so batch. I was tumbling the Petrified Wood from Hampton and added some harder stones to it...pitted the heck out of the Pet wood. One thing is, you never quit learning and never give up! Nice Job!
Steve
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Nov 21, 2005 9:54:13 GMT -5
Great job on that batch- I tumble a lot of granite (I use it as filler) and it is difficult because of the variable hardnesses- I usually pull the granite before the rest of a batch- but the shine I get is usually very good (I use AO as a polish- and Tripoli as a pre polish)
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