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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 3, 2018 14:41:11 GMT -5
I think the idea of the poll is to place your vote, anonymously. No need to let everyone know who you vote for.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 3, 2018 14:15:38 GMT -5
Everybody just stop, put down your tumbling weapons.... If you are young and cannot afford squat... just join a local rock club and use their equipment. My club has a fantastic work room with plenty of lap tools, open 3 times a week, basic charge of $3 an hour to use and more good advice than you can shake a bloodhound at. Membership in the club is $25 per year, for the whole family. The OP actually addressed the lack of a club, or the inability to get to one, in another thread. Apparently it is not a realistic option for him. Or, it could be like in my area. There's a rock club, but it meets at the public library. There is no equipment to use, just a bunch of people who get together and discuss topics, plan hounding trips and organize the annual rock show.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 3, 2018 10:20:08 GMT -5
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 3, 2018 10:18:33 GMT -5
Would the BORAX then increase undercutting (like with Tiger Eye/Tiger Iron material) or promote the orange skin problems with materials like nephrite/Jade? I sure hope not I have a bunch of Tiger eye I am getting ready to start tumbling. I have done a couple of pieces of TE not did not notice any undercutting. I use a mini sonic 4 to finish tumbles. I never had a problem with Borax and Tiger Eye either. Just finished a big batch of it in the Lot O.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 2, 2018 21:44:32 GMT -5
Thanks, Chuck, I remember seeing your display in pictures of your booth. I'm not opposed to using better magnets, at all. If I had thought to make these ahead of time, I probably would have ordered some. As it was, the idea to do it and execution took about an hour, including the trip to Meijer to get super glue. The magnets were already here from a previous school project. These were strong enough for one to hold photos, a sheet of construction paper or a school menu. Not a calendar, I tried. Anyway, they went to school today and were a hit, from what I hear. BUT, now I have been requested to come in to school and teach my son's class. After corresponding with his teacher, she has asked me to take an hour and tell them about tumbling, the types of rock I tumble and how they are formed, and anything about what can be found nearby. Where's 1dave when you need him??? I just hate that I've given away all my KY agate, other than a few tumbled pieces. It's the most interesting thing to be found around here and I'd like to show them some. That's really cool about getting asked to do a show and tell. Should be fun. Glad your magnets were a hit and not surprised. I was not trying to critique the magnets you used just offering some lessons learned. Rocks break pretty easy when they fall off a fridge onto a tile floor. Chuck I didn't take it that way, Chuck. I appreciate the input. I'll be placing an order for the stronger magnets before I make more. Luckily, I have hardwood in the kitchen, because the kitten jumped up and knocked a couple off while I was trying to get a photo. It's more forgiving than tile!
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 2, 2018 21:38:14 GMT -5
Fantabulous!!!! You make it too hard to go back and point out any one in particular. But I'll try. I love the blue McDermitt 79 thunderegg. And that last one, it's a knockout punch!
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 2, 2018 21:25:16 GMT -5
Your rocks are awesome. They deserve neodymium magnets. 1/2" diameter x 1/16" thick work great and will actually work to hold things on the Fridge. Craft magnets not so much. Thanks, Chuck, I remember seeing your display in pictures of your booth. I'm not opposed to using better magnets, at all. If I had thought to make these ahead of time, I probably would have ordered some. As it was, the idea to do it and execution took about an hour, including the trip to Meijer to get super glue. The magnets were already here from a previous school project. These were strong enough for one to hold photos, a sheet of construction paper or a school menu. Not a calendar, I tried. Anyway, they went to school today and were a hit, from what I hear. BUT, now I have been requested to come in to school and teach my son's class. After corresponding with his teacher, she has asked me to take an hour and tell them about tumbling, the types of rock I tumble and how they are formed, and anything about what can be found nearby. Where's 1dave when you need him??? I just hate that I've given away all my KY agate, other than a few tumbled pieces. It's the most interesting thing to be found around here and I'd like to show them some.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 2, 2018 19:16:29 GMT -5
Great idea Randy Garage Rocker . I saw unclesoska 's suggestion, but I'm curious what type of magnets and glue you used. Dave, I used regular super glue and cheap craft magnets from either Wal-Mart or Michaels, can't remember. They weren't the rare earth kind or anything. The backs of the stones were scuffed with the Dremel, but I reckon sandpaper would work as well.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 2, 2018 14:34:35 GMT -5
Those of us running a vibe use Borax as a slurry thickener. I don't think there is a practical application in a rotary tumbler until the burnish stage. Does it actually "thicken"? I never used it because I never thought a borate salt solution would do anything at all. breaks surface tension? We're not talking thicken like the litter in the rotary does, but it does make a milky white slurry that clings to the rocks. Whether it helps carry the grit better than no borax, I guess I couldn't say 'for sure'. It appears to. I have two boxes of the stuff and don't use it for anything else. So, with the results I get with it, I'll keep adding a tablespoon to each stage.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 2, 2018 13:03:59 GMT -5
Might be something to sell at craft shows. I thought of bundling some to sell, but I don't think I'm up to having a booth at a show or anything. I may set up a table of tumbles, magnets and such in the driveway the next time we have a neighborhood yard sale. Not too much to lose giving that a try.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 2, 2018 12:42:44 GMT -5
My 6th grade son's class is studying a geology unit in Science and I thought we could make something for him to take in to share with classmates. My 4th grader actually ended up making these. He masked up, used the dremel to rough up a spot on the back and super glued on a magnet. There ended up being plenty for each of them to take in for their science classes. They can take them home for the fridge, put them in their lockers for hanging notes or, more likely, chuck them at each other on the school bus.
We'll end up making more of these to give to family, friends, whoever will take them. It's probably a better way to display tumbles than having them sit in a bowl. Not every stone will work, but I have plenty that are thin enough and flat enough on one side for it. My next saw session, I will be cutting more slices than usual.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 2, 2018 10:46:39 GMT -5
Everybody “in the know” says to use BORAX in the tumbler for the 600/1000/Polish stages… I guess I'm not "in the know." I run a Borax step (for cleaning/burnish) for 6 hours before and after the polish stage. Some may use it as a thickener of sorts, but since I use plastic pellets in all stages after coarse, there is no need for an additive. Those of us running a vibe use Borax as a slurry thickener. I don't think there is a practical application in a rotary tumbler until the burnish stage.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 1, 2018 14:32:17 GMT -5
Great rocks... One day or another I'll be able to get a result like this... In a century or so Thanks! You'd be surprised how quickly you can get impressive results. Start with good material, have patience and follow instructions found on this forum, not the ones that come with your tumbler. It's easier, in my opinion, to get desirable results, when starting out, if you have a vibe tumbler for the finish stages. Look forward to seeing your progress!
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Post by Garage Rocker on Feb 27, 2018 22:55:48 GMT -5
We've now had this fella for a couple months. He's made a great sparring partner for our mini Aussie and entertained us with all his kitten antics. Time for a photo update.
Ash, 3 months
4 months
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Post by Garage Rocker on Feb 26, 2018 21:26:00 GMT -5
I'm in for a dig fee, whatever it ends up being. Anything that simplifies the gathering of good material, I'm all in!
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Post by Garage Rocker on Feb 26, 2018 20:18:54 GMT -5
Thanks, Jeremy! About time we see something coming from your tumbler, isn't it? I'm working on it. I've been playing around with some obsidian macros, but haven't been totally satisfied with the results. Work in progress..... I've got a bunch of obsidian, slag and other glass polished that I need to photograph. I understand.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Feb 26, 2018 16:47:25 GMT -5
You're right, a bunch of cool materials today! Glad that slab worked out for you. Would have been a shame to just chuck it in the tumbler.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Feb 26, 2018 12:28:36 GMT -5
Funny thing Garage Rocker, I had a 33 when I was 13, bought Apache Tears from a mail order company and polished them out to perfection. I started back tumbling like 7 years ago and it took me 5 years to polish obsidian. You did make a big jump on your 2nd attempt as there is a huge improvement. Just takes patience and following instructions, good machines. I like the idea of having a business based on a tumbled product because it is such a passive process. I am giving the glass thing a go just to see if what I consider a 100% hobby pleasure can make money. This moment anxious to open the kiln that is full of it's daily 100+ pendant sized tumbles. I cook a load every day. Love doing it. Every day can't wait to see what the kiln did.(emphasis on "can't wait") Goal is 100 units/day at $3 each after tumble polish. 200 days/year. Takes me about 2 hours per day just to do the cook and pre-grind. Always have a bunch of barrels running, that is a routine part of my life. Will take more equipment to spit out 100 tumbles per day, but so be it. I may make a single tumbler with say 10 foot long heavy shafts that holds about 7 - 15 pound barrels and do the grinding in mass. Industrialize a bit. Getting ready to dial in a Lot-O to see if I can get it to polish glass at the rate I need. YES - a jamesp Lot-O, miracles never seize !!! Don't say a word(daggers in eyes) Glad you've found a new venture that has grabbed your interest. Making money doing what you like is everybody's dream, isn't it? You've set your goal, now go get it! Oh, and welcome to the dark side! You'll love that Lot O if you can get used to the limited capacity compared to your monster vibe.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Feb 26, 2018 12:24:32 GMT -5
I think you have this tumbling thing nailed!! I’m not a tumbler, but I am glad you are. Thanks! Thanks, Pat, that's very nice.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Feb 25, 2018 22:21:01 GMT -5
Your tumbles look the same from the first batch you posted. Hard to improve perfect. Thanks, James! You actually got me interested in that first batch again. I went back and checked to see what it looked like. These were from my first go around, with the little 33B. Feb. 17, 2016
Not quite up to today's standard, but it was getting a little better by the second batch.
Fun to go back and look at the progress over a couple years.
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