Rockygibraltar
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,404
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Post by Rockygibraltar on Apr 1, 2006 19:26:39 GMT -5
Has anyone here had luck tumbling Malachite? I know it is a soft stone and will need some care. Any preferred methods?
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Duckbean
fully equipped rock polisher
Looking for rocks in all the wrong places
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,072
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Post by Duckbean on Apr 1, 2006 20:50:18 GMT -5
Sorry cann't help at all, But have been trying to get a batch to cut and tumble myself. If or when you do some, Please post your results. Haven't had much luck with real soft stone.
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Post by rockds on Apr 1, 2006 22:51:01 GMT -5
Mark has tumbled some and from what I can remember it turned out well. When I tried it, however, mine started as 'good and solid' pieces and ended up as crappy and pitted pieces. If you do any make sure yours are truely solid pieces. Start in 120/200 and check often (make a neat green slury very fast)
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Post by krazydiamond on Apr 2, 2006 16:27:12 GMT -5
it is awfully expensive material for tumbling! it IS soft and you really have to watch it carefully less you grind it into green slurry. i've had mediocre results in the tumbler, but have good results on the grinder, even though it is MESSY stuff to cab.
got pics of your rough?
KD
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Rockygibraltar
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,404
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Post by Rockygibraltar on Apr 2, 2006 20:40:21 GMT -5
Here is a photo. I found this in a box of stuff I've had for a few years. I forgot I had it, but I remember buying it for tumbling. It was a late night ebay purchase. Some of it looks good and solid and some is may not make it. We will see how it does.
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Post by LCARS on Apr 3, 2006 0:46:52 GMT -5
I have some too that i'm scared to tumble because of all the horror stories about it
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Post by Original Admin on Apr 3, 2006 17:44:28 GMT -5
Rocksds - I am sorry to say that to-date my experiment with Malachite has unfortunately NOT resulted in a shine (grim). Ive got 6 barrels on the go at the moment - and when I finish these I reckon on placing one single piece of Malachite in a barrel of tin oxide on its own - just with plastic pellets surrounding it. LCARS - I saw your box of goodies and the Malachite in it - go for it and get it rolling Give it a try - at the price you got that for you have nothing to lose and a great green mess of gunk to gain Do it - stick it in a barrel and make a mess like I did
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Rockygibraltar
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,404
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Post by Rockygibraltar on Apr 3, 2006 20:34:17 GMT -5
I ran some overnight in 60/90. It roughed right down. I am going to rough down some more for a load in the vib tumbler. I think the rotory may be too brutal. It's about like tumbling sidewalk chalk.
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Post by krazydiamond on Apr 3, 2006 20:39:46 GMT -5
yup, that is a good analogy.
KD
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blarneystone
spending too much on rocks
Rocks in my head
Member since March 2010
Posts: 307
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Post by blarneystone on Apr 3, 2006 23:13:03 GMT -5
I have a psuedomorph of Malachite after Azurite but i would never think of trying to tumble it...is the Malachite you all are trying not the same?? It looks like it would just crumble in a tumbler...I think i remember Sands saying somethng about Gem quality Malachite for cabbing...
Ohhh....Now I have to go look it up....lol
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blarneystone
spending too much on rocks
Rocks in my head
Member since March 2010
Posts: 307
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Post by blarneystone on Apr 3, 2006 23:15:46 GMT -5
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Rockygibraltar
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,404
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Post by Rockygibraltar on Apr 3, 2006 23:18:32 GMT -5
I don't know much about Malachite other than some seems softer than others. A couple pieces did well overnite and a couple are obviously not going to fair so well. I will just take it a step at a time and see how it goes.
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Post by LCARS on Apr 4, 2006 1:28:21 GMT -5
Rocksds - I am sorry to say that to-date my experiment with Malachite has unfortunately NOT resulted in a shine (grim). Ive got 6 barrels on the go at the moment - and when I finish these I reckon on placing one single piece of Malachite in a barrel of tin oxide on its own - just with plastic pellets surrounding it. LCARS - I saw your box of goodies and the Malachite in it - go for it and get it rolling Give it a try - at the price you got that for you have nothing to lose and a great green mess of gunk to gain Do it - stick it in a barrel and make a mess like I did I really don't want to go all Thor on it for the tumbler, i'd rather wait till I get my BD saw and make some slabs instead... If I tumble it, I will have to bust it ALL up in order to get enough to fill the barrel or i'm stuck using a bunch of beach glass as filler.
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