ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 12, 2017 12:12:08 GMT -5
I decided to just jump in head first and threw all my rocks into one barrel on Sunday. Made up the extra with some amethyst I had sitting around. My plan was to check them tonight and see how they're progressing. Rob, I really like your progress so far. I think these will be a fun challenge! Even if they don't get super shiny, they are quite beautiful.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 11, 2017 13:58:35 GMT -5
The breaks are glassy but they aren't hackly or grainy either. I predict happiness for everyone. Do they publish rules? Like regarding heat treat or per ground by hand or whatever? Applicants are permitted to remove (before or after your rough tumble) spalls, chips, cracks and any other imperfections on a grinding wheel. After this initial cleanup, the rock must be allowed to go through and complete the tumbling process without any further handwork. No hand polishing or grinding is permitted after the tumbling process begins and after completion. The following is permitted and is determined by the tumbler: resizing of the initial rough rock, total number of tumbling stages, the grit types and sizes, the selection of pre-polish and polish materials, use of media, use of a burnishing process, the amount of tumbling time, and whether to use a rotary and/or vibratory tumbler. Info
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 11, 2017 12:43:22 GMT -5
Great batch. Sometimes you just have to give up on getting the rocks perfectly smooth. Or grind them away to nothing, which I tend to do!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 11, 2017 9:53:02 GMT -5
jamesp, I do believe the windows are made of mica. But it is very brittle at this point. I was thinking about restoring it, but the whole back side is rusted thru. You can see the tin work wrapped around the right side. The chimney is fine since this is what our boiler vents into. And I guess I didn't quite follow the spirit of this post since this was for burning coal. There was a large window at ground level nearby. Small "room" built around it to contain the coal delivery. Never seen a room so black. Even with a good respirator, I was blowing black junk for a few days when we took that down! I still might take off the shiny bits and give them a polish, but I've been restoring the rest of the house for the past 8 years. Mostly done, but out of money and desire!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 10, 2017 21:09:42 GMT -5
Very nice. Really liking #1,3 & 9. Bonus points for self collected and the "leftover candy".
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 10, 2017 13:50:03 GMT -5
Those lace agates are wonderful. Another great batch. Thanks for posting!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 8, 2017 13:11:43 GMT -5
Great job on this project. Amazing what a little work can do to old equipment.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 8, 2017 13:06:18 GMT -5
I don't have anything to add, but I wanted to reply so I can keep track of any answers that come up. I'm also looking for the same thing.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 8, 2017 12:13:33 GMT -5
How much grit are you using? Also, I had trouble when I was using too much of the small ceramics. I don't think you're going to see much of a shine with the 500. After my rocks are nice and round from the rotary, I do the following in the Lot-O 2 days of 2TB 120/220 SiC 2 days of 1/2tsp AO 500 2 days of 1/2tsp AO 1000 2 days of 1/2tsp AO polish (14,000 I think - from Rock Shed)
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 7, 2017 21:16:27 GMT -5
Beautiful batch. Loving those green moss! I started a dedicated barrel of your material on 12/22 so I could tell them apart from all the mixed barrel batches. Maybe in a few months...
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 7, 2017 21:09:52 GMT -5
Got my box today. This stuff is beautiful and I hope it shines up. I have about 5 pounds of picture jasper here also and these both seem to have the same "chalky" appearance and I've been able to get that to shine. But I'm very new when it comes to identifying rocks. These are going in the barrel tomorrow and I'll check them once a week and see how they start shaping up. Good thing about signing up early is a little more time to play!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 6, 2017 15:24:44 GMT -5
Anyone up for a group buy??
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 5, 2017 13:55:51 GMT -5
Send it to me, I'll weigh it!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 5, 2017 13:51:53 GMT -5
Thanks for everything. Hope that blade is a little closer to being purchased!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 5, 2017 13:01:51 GMT -5
I'll take this also
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 5, 2017 13:01:25 GMT -5
I'll take it.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 5, 2017 12:58:21 GMT -5
Thanks! That's usually what I run mine with also. I usually toss in a little obsidian in there also. Seems like a nice mix of "might be a good idea to keep away from the agates".
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 5, 2017 12:54:04 GMT -5
I'll take it. PM being sent...
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jan 5, 2017 12:40:42 GMT -5
Beautiful batch. #20 looks like something you would see in a modern art museum. Also loving the rutilated quartz.
Edit to add - Are you running your quartz with everything else in rough? Or alone?
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