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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 31, 2018 17:12:40 GMT -5
AO is pretty much AO be it grey white brown. They have all performed well for me for the process Randy is doing. SiC coarse - AO 80 - AO polish. Not sure why tumbling supply companies don't carry AO 80. I aways did it in a Vibrasonic(like 50 times) though, not a Lot-O. But I almost always finish with Rock Shed polish. TSP should be fine. It was good enough for James, good enough for me. His results, and pictures there of, made a strong argument.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 31, 2018 10:28:02 GMT -5
I had been doing exactly what you wrote above in the Lot O, but wanted to streamline the process a little. Now, after rounding them out nicely in Sic 46/70, the rocks move to the Lot O for AO 80. They stay for 4-5 days, getting a squirt of Dawn and a splash of water in the last hour. After a quick rinse, they go into the polish stage. I use TXP polish from rocktumbler.com, which is a little larger size grit than what everyone else seems to be using. I believe it is like 8,000 AO, or close to that. That stage stays for 2 days, then a quick burnish in Borax and done. The actual time in the Lot O hasn't changed much for me, but there is less hassle with cleanouts. I only have to give a squirt of water after about 12 hours and again on day three. I bought a 10 lb. bag of AO 80 and I have a pound of polish, so I shouldn't have to buy those for many years. Now, I only have to worry about keeping Sic 46/70 on hand. I just got 50 lbs. last week, so I'm all set to go. I will get some pics from the last few batches to show the results. I am totally satisfied with the end product and I wouldn't make this change if I saw any loss of quality in my tumbles. For all the time the rocks spend in the first stage, it wouldn't be worth it to cut corners so close to the finish line. Thanks - so I think I saw 2Tablespoons of AO80 somewhere yesterday, is that how much you're using? Will have to give it a try. No signs of barrel abuse? No sign of barrel wear. I guess it breaks down quick enough that it isn't abusing the rubber. Also, even though it is technically more coarse than the Sic 120/220 I was using, it doesn't feel like it. I am rather inexact with measurements, but I usually throw in a heaping tablespoon of AO80 and then stick with 1/2 teaspoon of polish when they move on. I think you will be pleased with the results.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 31, 2018 7:54:37 GMT -5
I use the general 4step loto process like others, and am happy with results: 2 TABLEspoons 120/220 or 220 Silicon Carbide for 2 days. 1/2 TEAspoon 500 aluminum oxide for 2 days. 1/2 TEAspoon 1000 aluminum oxide for 2 days. 1/2 TEAspoon aluminum oxide polish for 2 days. But I am lazy, and wouldn't mind getting rid of a few of those cleanouts if larger AO made that work.. I know several folks experimented with AO 40 or 80 in the Lot-o, but I didn't come up with a real cohesive story of outcomes. Have any of you been running AO 80/40 regularly and using a different recipe? Thanks! Funny you bring this up right now, I was planning on putting together a thread on this topic. I just haven't got the pics to go with it yet. I have been running a different process since I restarted my tumblers after Winter. I had been doing exactly what you wrote above in the Lot O, but wanted to streamline the process a little. Now, after rounding them out nicely in Sic 46/70, the rocks move to the Lot O for AO 80. They stay for 4-5 days, getting a squirt of Dawn and a splash of water in the last hour. After a quick rinse, they go into the polish stage. I use TXP polish from rocktumbler.com, which is a little larger size grit than what everyone else seems to be using. I believe it is like 8,000 AO, or close to that. That stage stays for 2 days, then a quick burnish in Borax and done. The actual time in the Lot O hasn't changed much for me, but there is less hassle with cleanouts. I only have to give a squirt of water after about 12 hours and again on day three. I bought a 10 lb. bag of AO 80 and I have a pound of polish, so I shouldn't have to buy those for many years. Now, I only have to worry about keeping Sic 46/70 on hand. I just got 50 lbs. last week, so I'm all set to go. I will get some pics from the last few batches to show the results. I am totally satisfied with the end product and I wouldn't make this change if I saw any loss of quality in my tumbles. For all the time the rocks spend in the first stage, it wouldn't be worth it to cut corners so close to the finish line.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 30, 2018 5:41:53 GMT -5
That's good looking rock. What area is it from? Those were collected on Mrs Nethers farm and is called "flintridge flint". The box was a joint effort by fantastic5, jeannie and myself. Dale, enjoy them! spicemanHey Scott, I don't see that nice banded chunk I contributed in Dale's pic. Did you make off with that one? Glad you got some good rocks to roll, Dale. It was nice of Scott to put that together. Would have liked to met you up there, sorry things didn't work out this time.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 26, 2018 7:37:48 GMT -5
OMG!!! Those are stunning, Tela. You definitely know how to drop the mic and walk off, that Tiffany is amazing.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 22, 2018 5:34:36 GMT -5
Funky colors. Break out the black light and lava lamp. There is about 8 in the upper right corner of middle photo that were melted with a different brand(blue/yellow/red) of glass. Your photo eye might pick up the color difference Randy. They have a little more of the soft pastels. Good stuff. Loving the points you are getting in return.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 22, 2018 4:29:26 GMT -5
Funky colors. Break out the black light and lava lamp.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 21, 2018 20:15:04 GMT -5
Thanks, Jean rockpickerforever, it's been a great day. Left Florida at 4:30 this morning, got home at 4:30 this afternoon. Paid overdue attention to all the animals,emptied the car, ran to the store, made dinner and now I get to play. I have a new motor for my QT 12 to unbox and install, the QT66 barrels need grit and water and restarted, the 12 lb. dedicated flint barrel has been waiting to get going until vacation ended, so it's ready to go when I get the new motor on. I have two LFR boxes of tumbling rough from a high-end-material member here to look through, and I need to box up some tumbles for said member. Ear buds, a craft beer or two, rock affiliated activities and my pups following me around. A nice end to a busy day. Thanks for the birthday well wishes and Happy Birthday to the others celebrating this day with me.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 16, 2018 3:10:56 GMT -5
A 12 ounce soft drink can in a sock is a wicked weapon. So is a spear. What are you waiting for? You've got the points. Liking the finished product you are getting back. Seems to be getting their attention. Good for you!
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 15, 2018 16:43:46 GMT -5
Lovely set, Tela. I think know my favs are the first Pietersite and that last lace. Outstanding!
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 12, 2018 0:59:33 GMT -5
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 11, 2018 13:02:52 GMT -5
Thank you all for the info, not looking forward to the 8 hour drive, but excited to see the scenery and maybe stop at a couple different parks. Are there any good rock/mineral stores in the area? If I don't have the chance to look for any I would like to at least bring back something. Also hoping to visit Hardin County and maybe pick up some Fluorite if I can find it cheap enough. When in Hardin County, you will be close(ish) to Mammoth Cave National Park. The cave tours are great and there are a few rock shops around the entrance to the park. Those are the only rock shops I have been to in Kentucky. They are touristy and not necessarily for the lapidary crowd, but they have the requisite amethyst geodes, spheres and such. The mass produced, dyed tumbles we bought the kids there sparked an interest in my son and gave me the idea to buy a tumbler for a Christmas present. Two short years and three tumblers later, I'm glad we stopped off at that rock shop.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 11, 2018 11:33:20 GMT -5
Cutting some of the blocks my DH beat out of the pit at Nethers. Really excited by this first cut! Next one looks to be nicer. Looking good. If there's any justice in this world, his work will payoff with amazing material.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 11, 2018 9:05:51 GMT -5
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 10, 2018 8:05:53 GMT -5
I will be visiting Lexington, KY for a few days in August. This will be my first trip to the state. Is there anywhere interesting to visit or collect rocks/fossils near Lexington?
Thanks! Garage Rocker 's yard wialleycat That's about the only place you will find decent rocks in Lexington, home of limestone and bluegrass. All the creeks around here are littered with crinoid fossil plates, so that can be found easily. For rocks worth picking up, you have to drive 30 minutes to an hour south. Then you can collect geodes, fossil coral, chalcedony and possibly (but probably not) the elusive, rare KY agate. The tricky part is finding public land or obtaining permission from a land owner where the hounding is good. We all struggle with that part though. If you want to look at rock formations and arches, you can visit Natural Bridge State Park. There aren't any good lapidary rocks to pick up there, so you wouldn't be tempted to break any rules. It's some nice scenery though. Just be ready for our Summer heat and humidity. ETA - If you do happen to make it to Red River Gorge/Natural Bridge, you should definitely stop off at Miguels Pizza on the way out. Yummm.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 9, 2018 14:23:41 GMT -5
Damn Randy that looks like some awesome material. Wish I could have come and collected and met everyone. Don't guess I even know where you are, Grant. Nonetheless, you missed a great chance to get some nice material and meet some of the gang.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 9, 2018 14:22:21 GMT -5
Randy, you bagged some nice stuff! I hope what we lugged home is half as nice! Les is right. I was there for friends and scenery. Total win on those fronts. The area of the farm is like going back 80 years in time. Old established family farmsteads like dating back to 1900'ish. Nothing commercial. Just older secondary forest, I'm guessing 50+ years on the secondary forest. Tons of rocks and a check mark on the bucket list. I'm so happy to have made it. I'm even happier fishnpinball stepped up and brought this to a close. Nice work sir! Regrets: I regret not getting a pic of Mrs Kay Nethers home. It has had new siding and a nice porch added. The old scale still on the floor. I also regret not snapping a pic of her beautiful handwritten (in perfect cursive) letter to all whom visit. She is clearly an elegant, well spoken woman. My last regret is I did not get to meet her. Looks like we maybe back for Thanksgiving. We shall see. I want to meet her. She isn't going to live forever. What are ya waiting for? Go get some Flint! Scott, I also regret not taking the pics you mentioned. I got too excited when I first got there and I was spent by the time I left. I'm sure there will be another opportunity sometime.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 9, 2018 0:07:25 GMT -5
Well done, sir!
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 8, 2018 23:26:46 GMT -5
I better get these pics up before the work week starts or it may be a while. I spent the afternoon trimming up tumble material from my "tumble-size material" bucket. After sorting everything, I ended up with one half bucket of little pieces that required, at most, one or two cuts or some clean up, another bucket of high grade cutting material and one bucket of average cutters.
18 lbs. of tumbling material ready to go. I may empty my big barrel and start a dedicated flint batch.
Sorry, no slabs here, but a good representation of the different looks I was able to collect.
The kids are always impressed with crystals, so I had to grab a few.
I have high expectations for this batch. Anxious to see pics of the material everyone else picked up, too.
Randy
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Post by Garage Rocker on Jul 8, 2018 18:26:26 GMT -5
Super work! That is one beautiful cab. OJ is always a crowd pleaser.
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