cassielouwho
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2016
Posts: 20
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Post by cassielouwho on Aug 28, 2016 15:27:39 GMT -5
Just took out my first run of Jasper and Petrified Wood. I used my UV-10 and the media used were pebble rock. I tumbled for 4 days. I am now going to sort through them and pull rejects. Those that look good will go in for a second tumble in the vibe for 4 days. I am using 120/220 grit in both of these stages. I LOVE this site. Thank you for all the help. Cassie Huntersville, NC
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,472
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 28, 2016 15:51:48 GMT -5
OK Cassie, now don't take this wrong, but you really need a much longer run in coarse grind for most those pieces. For really nice tumbles you need to round the rocks much more, unless that unrounded shape is what you are shooting for. Unfortunately, vibes do not change rough shape much so a rotary is really necessary for the first two stages of your tumble. Be advised that the grit, even fine grit, will cut through your UV-10 barrels really fast. I found that out real quick and after having to buy several new barrels, I finally designated one barrel of my vibe only for very brief fine grind runs and the other purely for prepolish and polish. I often run rocks as long as four to six weeks on the rotary before they are properly rounded to move on and I wash and recharge coarse grind weekly. Patience is a virtue when tumbling stone....Mel
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cassielouwho
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2016
Posts: 20
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Post by cassielouwho on Aug 28, 2016 16:40:26 GMT -5
OK Cassie, now don't take this wrong, but you really need a much longer run in coarse grind for most those pieces. For really nice tumbles you need to round the rocks much more, unless that unrounded shape is what you are shooting for. Unfortunately, vibes do not change rough shape much so a rotary is really necessary for the first two stages of your tumble. Be advised that the grit, even fine grit, will cut through your UV-10 barrels really fast. I found that out real quick and after having to buy several new barrels, I finally designated one barrel of my vibe only for very brief fine grind runs and the other purely for prepolish and polish. I often run rocks as long as four to six weeks on the rotary before they are properly rounded to move on and I wash and recharge coarse grind weekly. Patience is a virtue when tumbling stone....Mel Hi Mel, Thank you so much for your suggestions. I am going for a more natural shape. I am not making any jewelry or striving for that at this time. Just playing around, and taking in any constructive criticism . that's how to learn, right? So, I am following the guidelines on The Rock Shed site for vibe tumblers. They state 2-7 days and only use the fine grit. So, I was thinking to try 4 days, then rinse and check out the progress, then another 4 days using new fine grit. We'll see how it goes, but will definitely think about the rotary tumbler too. I only have a small 3lb one that I have used just once with the rocks that came in the package. Oh, and I bought 3 other vibe bowls for the other stages and to have an extra just in case. I don't want to use the same barrels. Thanks again!!
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dottyt
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 305
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Post by dottyt on Aug 28, 2016 21:01:51 GMT -5
Is that dry? Great shine! I love the red, mustard, and brown striped jasper at the top. Some people do like the more natural shapes and some even find perfectly rounded, very shiny rocks "boring." I am currently very into them myself, but variety is always nice.
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ubermenehune
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2016
Posts: 293
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Post by ubermenehune on Aug 28, 2016 22:17:08 GMT -5
I do some rounding in a rotary, but I'm the same way; I don't mind natural shapes at all. I just like to add a little shine to specimens in my collection.
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cassielouwho
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2016
Posts: 20
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Post by cassielouwho on Aug 29, 2016 9:26:15 GMT -5
Is that dry? Great shine! I love the red, mustard, and brown striped jasper at the top. Some people do like the more natural shapes and some even find perfectly rounded, very shiny rocks "boring." I am currently very into them myself, but variety is always nice. That one is my favorite as well. It's definitely going into my personal collection. These are wet in the pic. There are some cabochon shapes I like, but I just not there yet.
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huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by huskeric on Aug 29, 2016 16:43:59 GMT -5
They look nice, for sure. If you can get that kind of wet shine on them without knocking down the rough edges, more power to you! I don't have a vibe, just rotaries, so I don't have any insight on whether or not they will take a shine. Ultimately, if you're happy with how they came out, then you did an awesome job!
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Post by adam on Aug 29, 2016 17:13:45 GMT -5
Some very decent jaspers in the mix, nice wood but needs a few more weeks in coarse. Keep working them and you will have fine results.
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cassielouwho
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2016
Posts: 20
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Post by cassielouwho on Aug 31, 2016 18:43:12 GMT -5
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huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by huskeric on Sept 1, 2016 13:04:28 GMT -5
Very nice! I love the fairy jar!
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