ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 23, 2017 21:14:56 GMT -5
I had this same problem when I ran small ceramics during stage 1. I quit using them for this step and haven't had anymore issues.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 20, 2017 7:57:44 GMT -5
I am spoiled and was used to tumbling the coral. It is about the only rock I tumbled(in mass at that) for 3 years when starting out in this hobby. And it was virtually free. I had to limit my loads on 3 day trips to avoid breaking axles on truck. Then I made a run to the Rio and found the wild colors and patterns. But that first load I brought home was no where near the quality(in terms of pits and cracks) that I was used to in tumbling coral. My 2nd and 3rd trips I focused on material free of cracks and pits. It took almost 3 weeks to collect a decent load. And half of it is no where near as solid as my coral. I just started a barrel of your coral. Can't wait to see how it turns out.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 20, 2017 7:03:38 GMT -5
This should be the top post in this section all the time. I get those tiny pits in my picture jasper, but I also love the way they look so it doesn't bother me so much. You have to either start with great rough, or accept almost perfect/good enough. It's what I struggle with all the time - is my time/energy/patience worth the finished product? I'm guessing this is one reason people like creating cabs - finished product in a much shorter amount of time!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 19, 2017 20:29:48 GMT -5
Shiny and self-collected. Win - Win!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 17, 2017 12:53:57 GMT -5
A trip to Lake Huron is on my list of things to do this year. Thank you for putting this video together. Lots of good information for someone who hasn't done this before.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 16, 2017 21:13:46 GMT -5
This is a great looking batch of rocks. Great job!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Chiraq
Apr 16, 2017 18:52:22 GMT -5
Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 16, 2017 18:52:22 GMT -5
That's also where all my rock tumbling stuff is, so maybe that's really the truth. My obsession with staring into my Lot-O has saved me!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 16, 2017 18:12:45 GMT -5
Happy to report 9 years and haven't been shot at once. Whew! Of course, maybe it's because I'm living my life in fear hiding in my basement waiting for Jesus to return. Who knows?
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 16, 2017 9:59:10 GMT -5
Gang members shooting other gang members. Every once in a while an innocent person gets killed, but that happens everywhere. The violence is very concentrated to a couple of neighborhoods. These people aren't "good soldiers". "War zone" - HA!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 15, 2017 6:39:21 GMT -5
The box has been sold. Thanks!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 14, 2017 21:18:14 GMT -5
I've bought so many mixed boxes of tumbles from numerous people on this board that I decided it was time to sell a box. This is a Medium Flat Rate box that weighs 26 pounds. Everything is broken down into what I call good tumble sizes and a bunch of the items have even been tumbled for a bit. Some of these pieces might be a little big if you have a 3lb barrel, but there is still plenty of stuff to pick thru. I'm asking $30 and that includes shipping. First one to reply "mine" gets it. I take PayPal. Thanks! Here's just a little list of some included types: Bahai agate Montana Agate Mary Ellen Jasper Owyhee Jasper Crazy Lace (I threw this in at the end since there was extra room so it's not in the picture) Pet wood I think the pictures do a better job explaining than I can.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 14, 2017 12:33:38 GMT -5
Also wanted to mention using the tile spacers. They just caused a huge mess in my rotary and in the vibe. They are now resting in a landfill somewhere!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 14, 2017 12:31:54 GMT -5
I get my ceramics from The Rock Shed. I use mostly the large cylinders, but I also throw in a handful of the small cylinders. It's the same process I use for obsidian (and every other rock I've ever tumbled/vibed).
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 14, 2017 8:15:56 GMT -5
I use my rotary tumbler only for the coarse grind stage. I don't use any ceramics or plastic beads during this step. I then run everything thru the Lot-O at 120/220, 500, 1000, polish using ceramics.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 14, 2017 7:31:32 GMT -5
I've done a fair bit of clear quartz and haven't really had any issue, but this was in a Lot-O so I'm not sure if they can compare. I use maybe 20-30% ceramics and add Borax to all my stages except 120/220.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 13, 2017 7:40:37 GMT -5
Wow, love your style. These are all amazing pieces, but that first one gets a big thumbs up. Thank you for sharing.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 13, 2017 7:13:12 GMT -5
Thank you to everyone for their replies. And QuailRiver, a big THANK YOU for that wonderful reply summing up the machines. I really appreciate the time you took to sit down and get that typed up and am grateful for the information you shared. This gives me a little more confidence in possibly buying a used machine, but you've also pointed out a couple new manufacturers I was not aware of. Thanks again!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 12, 2017 8:47:28 GMT -5
I know we don't have many faceters on this board, but I would like to start this discussion here and see where it goes. And maybe this would be better posted to a faceting website, but I like the people here and hope we can get the faceting section up and running!
I've spent a bunch of time at the Gemology forum and it seems there are 2 recommendation for machines - Facetron and Ultra Tec. The Facetron sells for $3195 and the Ultra Tec sells for $4950. Graves would be another option, but it appears there are all kinds of issues going on with the company right now, which seems quite unfortunate since that machine is only $1795. I feel like I'm back in my mid-90s drag racing days and listening to the whole Chevy/Ford debate again. It seems many people are huge fans of the Ultra Tec machine and most of them feel the Facetron is garbage. I've yet to really see a good post fully explaining these feelings.
I've also read so many posts that say a beginner should never buy a used machine since you don't really know what you're getting. I sometimes get the feeling these are reps for the 2 companies and they just want you to buy something new from them. But I also understand that faceting is very much about precision and I guess you get what you pay for. I've also heard the cost of the machine is a tiny drop in the bucket compared to buying good rough.
So, what machine do you facet on? Did you buy the machine new or used? Have you done any upgrades? If you bought used, do you wish you had saved a bit longer and gotten a new machine?
Thanks!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 11, 2017 19:29:51 GMT -5
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 11, 2017 8:36:58 GMT -5
Great batch. I think you did just fine on the turritella. It's not the easiest material to get "perfect", but I really enjoy trying.
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