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Post by paulshiroma on Jun 27, 2011 21:57:50 GMT -5
Krystee - that's really impressive - right down to being able to see the spiral compact fluorescent bulb in the reflection of those stones. Absolutely AWESOME. I'll dittoDon's comments. Would love to know how you're doing that.
Thanks Paul
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Post by Toad on Jun 27, 2011 22:05:22 GMT -5
Wait, a Lot-O is a vibe, yes? I guess I answered part of my question...
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Post by tntmom on Jun 27, 2011 22:37:46 GMT -5
Todd,
Sorry. Yes... the Lot-O is a vibe. I do every batch different but this one, my rock club had alread roughed and tried to polish. They gave it to me because it didn't work for them. I ground out the pits and saw marks on my flat lap. Then I just ran them in graded 220 and borax (very thick) and ran each stage twice. In the vibe, I usually run each stage 2 to 3 days. 220 I usually only run 24 hours because it gunks up so fast that it wount turn over anymore. 500 I run and let it go 3 days, then rinse and run it over again. Obsidian is notorious for little tiny scratches that you don't see with the naked eye, loupe oh yeah. Getting rid of those little scratches makes a huge difference on the finished stone. I've got the tumbling thing figured out.... but with my new Ameritool.... I have yet to get a cab done start to finish that looks as good as my Lot-O results!!!!
Work in progress and I'll figure it out!!!
~Krystee
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Post by christopherl1234 on Jun 28, 2011 2:14:05 GMT -5
Those are outstanding Krystee!!
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jun 28, 2011 3:02:49 GMT -5
Hi krystee, Them Obs ' are amazing the shine is unbeliavable ,
Thanks for showing now I have something to aim for or try to get some where near to (in the next 100 years maybe )
Obsidian is so tricky
outstandingly beautiful
Jack Yorkshire uk
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colliel82
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2007
Posts: 664
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Post by colliel82 on Jun 28, 2011 19:21:03 GMT -5
You did such a wonderful job on these.
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Post by gr on Jun 28, 2011 22:10:02 GMT -5
Krystee, any ceramics used in there anywhere? I don't know if they are used with obsidians or not. I have alot and yours are certainly an inspiration to get rollin on them. All I currently have are 6 & 12lb rotories and was just wondering if ceramics would be benifical in a rotory. Your pieces are a 10. Beautiful!!
gr
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Post by tntmom on Jun 29, 2011 13:22:54 GMT -5
Thank you,
Gr, I do use ceramics in every stage (both rotary and vibe), up to half a barrel if there are large pieces. I use a mix of both large and small sizes. I personally really like them because in my opinion, it slows the action to a gentle roll instead of falling on top of each other. I notice a big difference in the Lot-O though because I can watch it with the lid off.
~Krystee
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Post by gr on Jun 29, 2011 16:07:22 GMT -5
Thanks Krystee! I guess I'd better get me mix of em for my rollers
gary
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Post by connrock on Jun 30, 2011 7:53:50 GMT -5
Kristee, I can't say enough about what you have accomplished with the obsidian. As you know I've had my "pit falls" with obsidian! I have to agree with those who say you are optimus regina glesum!! connrock
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pporky
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2007
Posts: 1,932
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Post by pporky on Jul 1, 2011 2:10:51 GMT -5
Wow Krystee thats some pretty special tumbling, how was the result when you took them gems back to your club, I'll bet a few jaws were dropping open
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rockfarmer
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since July 2011
Posts: 93
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Post by rockfarmer on Jul 17, 2011 11:54:06 GMT -5
These are so beautiful!!! Fantastic SHEEN!
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Jul 17, 2011 23:04:06 GMT -5
A bow to the Queen! ;D Those are the finest finish to be had. I am sure the club will love them.
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Post by tntmom on Jul 18, 2011 0:36:07 GMT -5
Thank you for the nice comments. Really appreciate it!
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Post by tandl on Jul 18, 2011 11:36:45 GMT -5
Those are so nice !!!
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Jasper-hound
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 208
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Post by Jasper-hound on Jul 22, 2011 8:23:56 GMT -5
It is downright humbling to see your results with these obsidians. I also tumble obsidian and while I have good luck with tears, the larger pieces are difficult to keep from frosting on the edges sometimes. Care to share your procedure and cushioning medium?
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Post by tntmom on Jul 26, 2011 21:34:43 GMT -5
Thanks Ted! Rockbassethound, My cushioning is 50% or more mixed ceramics. Also lots of Borax to slow it down a bit and buff while grinding. After they are roughed then I start them in graded 220. Then 500, 1000 and polish in a dedicated barrel. I run each stage twice and the second time around (in 500 and 1000) I always run 2 days. Usually 3 and sometimes 4 or more. Longer the better I've found, patience permitting. Polish just depends, sometimes a day or up to a week, with ob though, sometimes it just wont shine much better after 1000. One thing I learned is that I never move it out of 500 until I can see my reflection (note: in the vibe you will never get a 500 reflection until it has run at least 2 days), 1000 hazes it again but once the reflection returns it is much more crystal clear. I just pulled another club batch out today. As far as the large rocks, here is a couple photos of the two largest that were in this batch. (I try to do only a couple to a few large ones in each Lot-O run) This one was just cool looking, favorite one in this batch! Thanks! ~Krystee
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Post by parfive on Jul 26, 2011 23:09:39 GMT -5
WOW!! Outstanding job on those big ‘uns, Krystee.
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