ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 23, 2017 16:58:28 GMT -5
Here's my setup. Cardboard box with a thick piece of hard maple in the bottom.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 23, 2017 15:07:35 GMT -5
I bust stuff up with a hammer and big chisel. I've done this with obsidian (carefully), jasper and agates and never really had an issue. There might be some "waste", but I use those as smalls in my barrels. I think the hammered rocks look a little more natural than the tile cut ones which have a bunch of flat faces. I have a tile saw and hate using the thing. No need to overthink this!
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 23, 2017 11:30:12 GMT -5
Just curious why you didn't throw stuff back into the course grind if you weren't happy with the outcome. Were you just tired of the batch and wanted to start new stuff? The longer I keep at this tumbling hobby, the more selective I get of the material that gets to stay in my barrels. I usually give everything a chance, but after a few weeks it's pretty obvious if something is going to turn our well. I have a bucket of "rejects" that I look thru every now and then and bust up some of the stuff and give it a second chance.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 21, 2017 7:30:09 GMT -5
Thanks. My smallest tumbler is a 4 lb, and I have a QT-66, so I'm thinking I'd be OK, since you mentioned 3 lb barrels if I recall correctly. I don't have access to a saw right now. Guess I just need to get a price. Regards. Dave Just grab a hammer and bust some of the bigger pieces up. Might not be as "clean" as a saw, but it will get the job done. I have purchased a couple of these boxes before and they are beautiful material. They are also quite hard so patience will be learned while waiting for these to make it out of the rough stage! $35 is a steal!!!
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 20, 2017 10:07:18 GMT -5
Drummond Island Rocks, I think you hit the biggest issue with rock tumbling as a hobby. The really nice rocks take a LONG time in the rough stage and most of these rocks aren't the "found in my backyard" type of material. Factor in a instruction sheets saying 1 week per grit, weird mixes of soft/hard rocks and small tumblers with a questionable "grit pack" and people are bound to fail. I haven't done that many finished batches, but the full run of grits sure does produce some nice tumbles. Plus this message board can be very overwhelming with everyone having a different way of getting to the finish line and a new/improved experiment being started every other week. I eventually just sent a message to a couple of users I most wanted to "be like" and adopted their way of tumbling.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 20, 2017 6:58:40 GMT -5
Maybe you should buy some already shiny rocks and sneak them into a batch. That way you have something shiny to pull out until you're able to get some rocks that will take a polish.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 19, 2017 8:53:18 GMT -5
Thanks Bill. If money were no object I would have rocks like those in my barrel every week. Chuck I agree, Chuck. I resist the urge to buy another tumbler so I can run premium rough in my little operation. Can't wait to see that batch finish out. Beauties! I just added a QT12 to my collection just for this purpose! Great material
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 17, 2017 21:11:13 GMT -5
I agree. I don't have to babysit my Lot-O. I check it in the morning and when I get home from work. If it needs a spray of water I do that. Just like Randy, I spend more time just watching the rocks roll! I'm not sure where the "you have to babysit a vibe" thing started from, but it's just not true for me.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 14, 2017 20:12:34 GMT -5
Nice batch. Nice shine.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 14, 2017 11:45:55 GMT -5
This looked like a great trip. Thanks for posting the pictures!
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 14, 2017 10:20:49 GMT -5
I go from 46/70 to 120/220 with no issues.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 13, 2017 19:55:19 GMT -5
If I were to do it all again, I would recommend the following: Lortone QT-66 or QT-12 if you are tumbling all the same hardness 4lb Lot-O 5lb 60-90 grit (or 46-70) from the Rock Shed Grit Pack for Vibrating Rock Tumblers from the Rock Shed (120/220, 500 and AO Polish) That runs you about $400 (actually less since you get a discount on grit/rocks when you buy a tumbler) Spend another $100 on an assortment of rough rock from them and maybe some large ceramics. $500 and you've got a killer setup and plenty of material to keep you happy for a while!
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 12, 2017 15:33:33 GMT -5
Nice looking batch. I think my favorite would be #3! What is the blue/green item in picture 19?
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 11, 2017 16:43:11 GMT -5
I sometimes run things for 2 or 3 months before they're ready to move out of stage 1. I would suggest skipping the ceramics during stage 1 and just keep filling with new rough rock. Patience is needed when tumbling!
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 11, 2017 16:03:20 GMT -5
SOLD. Thanks!
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 10, 2017 22:11:47 GMT -5
Decided to just stick with tumbling so I'm selling my 8" Ameritool Flat Lap 6 discs. 60 (used a couple times), 180 (used once), 325 (never used), 600 (never used), 1200 and polish (never used). The 60 grit wheel was just purchased from Kingsley North. The others came with the unit. I bought this from someone else, but they never used it. I've used it just a couple of times. I also have a bunch of preforms I'll include. $350 shipped (continental US). Paypal preferred. I'm heading out for the night so if you reply I'll get back in the morning. Any questions, let me know.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 5, 2017 18:12:07 GMT -5
Beautiful batch of tumbles. Always look forward to your posts!
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 3, 2017 16:40:58 GMT -5
How can us guys who work for a living EVER get the deals?? If you see something you like send the seller a message. I've bought most of my stuff this way. Most sellers have all kinds of other things to sell!
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Mar 3, 2017 13:36:39 GMT -5
Wow, that is some crazy, beautiful stuff
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Feb 24, 2017 22:44:27 GMT -5
After struggling for about 2 hours trying to do a basic wire wrap I have a much greater appreciation of your skill and talent. I'm not sure my hands are meant for wire work!!
|
|