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Post by melhill1659 on Mar 4, 2017 15:59:34 GMT -5
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Post by aDave on Mar 4, 2017 16:11:43 GMT -5
After 3wks in 36grit I put them all back in. I recharged with half a cup of 36grit and added 1/2 cup kitty litter then opened it back up today after rolling it another week. Wow what a difference @captnbob and jamesp ! Most all of them were ready for the next stage. That's pretty impressive! I had an exchange with the both of them earlier in the week (very informative), and I DEFINTELY need to go with a thickening agent for my course grind. Granted, I'm only using 60/90 for now, but I'd love to cut my time at this step. I tried a total recharge mid-week, and that really didn't go very well at all. When I opened up the barrel four days later, everything was caked at the bottom and the newest grit wasn't worn down much at all. I still haven't found the sweet spot for this, so congrats. Dave
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Post by melhill1659 on Mar 4, 2017 16:35:15 GMT -5
Dave did you say you use ceramics??
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Post by melhill1659 on Mar 4, 2017 16:42:02 GMT -5
I've never had it cake at the bottom so the guys are gonna have to help ya on that one ๐ I use ceramics in every step! I add them in layers kinda. I never even peak at my 15 pounders for 3wks. But I might add a little to much water. Let's see how the 2nd stage goes!!! Never made it here before so Upward an Onward.
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Post by captbob on Mar 4, 2017 16:55:56 GMT -5
Ms. Mel, how much is your 30 grit breaking down? And what grit is your next step? Looks like grit on the sides here
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Post by aDave on Mar 4, 2017 17:34:56 GMT -5
Dave did you say you use ceramics?? No, I haven't used them. But, I have actually been thinking about ordering some up. I sometimes think I don't have enough smalls, or could use more, and the ceramics would definitely help. I get shaping, but I've not had a real thick slurry at the coarse grind. Still experimenting to try and optimize results. Dave
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 4, 2017 19:39:36 GMT -5
The rocks are looking good!!!
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Post by melhill1659 on Mar 4, 2017 19:55:18 GMT -5
Ms. Mel, how much is your 30 grit breaking down? And what grit is your next step? Looks like grit on the sides here Howdy Capt'n, its breaking down pretty good. Most of what you see is the recent recharge that only rolled a week an I probably added to much but it's my 35grit barrel so I don't have to worry so much about the extra cause I'm just adding new to it. I'm not so precise ๐
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Post by melhill1659 on Mar 4, 2017 22:14:51 GMT -5
The rocks are looking good!!! Thank You time for the next stage!
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Post by melhill1659 on Mar 4, 2017 22:19:06 GMT -5
captbob, I'm thinking about going to AO80 next. What are your thoughts?
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Post by captbob on Mar 4, 2017 22:36:19 GMT -5
I believe that James is the only one that's made it that far and further using AO 80, so he's the guy to ask.
IF you are happy with what you have there as the final shape, go for it. AO 80 may shape slightly, but I wouldn't expect much.
MY opinion...? Many of those aren't through being shaped and some are. That's when you start culling the herd. Set the ready to move on aside (I leave mine in water) and keep the slower learners back for more. Add new rough as necessary to maintain barrel level. I seldom have an entire batch ready to move on at the same time. Might happen if all the same rock in the load, but with a mish mash like you have going on there, the rocks are going to progress at different rates/speeds.
Don't move crappy rocks along with good rocks or you will hurt the good ones.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,159
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Post by jamesp on Mar 5, 2017 9:08:54 GMT -5
If you are finished shaping then you can give the AO 80 a go. At least on Mohs 7 rocks. Like Bob mentioned, cull. Appears to be a mix of soft and hard rocks, not sure. The rocks that round fastest are usually softer. I never mix soft and hard. I just do agates and woods and other Mohs 7 rocks. Hard rocks are slow to shape but about gaurenteed to polish. Polishing soft rocks are best left to the pros. and I have never tried AO 80 on soft rocks.
I must add SiC 30 ten to twelve times and roll for 6-9 weeks. I like them rounded well.
For your first tumble I would go ahead and move thru 220-500-100 -or- do the AO 80 thing. Try to arrive at a 'first' polish some way. You can redo and shape them better again later. call it a practice.
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Post by aDave on Mar 5, 2017 12:16:46 GMT -5
That's when you start culling the herd. Set the ready to move on aside (I leave mine in water) and keep the slower learners back for more. captbob, out of curiosity, why do you leave the rocks in water? If that's your procedure between stages, are you soaking the rocks when starting new tumbles? Not being critical...just seeing if there's something I missed somewhere. Regards. Dave
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Post by melhill1659 on Mar 5, 2017 12:30:38 GMT -5
Pretty much this whole batch is for putting in a glass knick knack container. They are all agates, pet wood and jaspers besides a few I'm sitting back to cab. I didn't want them perfectly rounded because of the "viewing" aspect. Wanted to keep as much natural as possible but with smoothed areas to make sure grit doesn't carry to next stage. That's my wayward amateur thought process anyway . We'll see how it goes. aDave he probably leaves them in water so he can distinguish them from all of the other rock piles ๐
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vera
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2016
Posts: 259
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Post by vera on Mar 8, 2017 22:48:01 GMT -5
I really like that last rock, but you have a lot that will be beauties when you are finished.
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Post by melhill1659 on Mar 9, 2017 7:57:47 GMT -5
I really like that last rock, but you have a lot that will be beauties when you are finished. Thank You I sure hope so. They're in AO80 now so I'll check them before I leave on my daughter's senior trip this weekend and get the hubby to peak in on them while I'm gone.
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Post by captbob on Mar 9, 2017 9:00:03 GMT -5
... and get the hubby to peak in on them while I'm gone. I hope you mean just check to see that the machines are running and everything looks/sounds normal. There is no need for him to actually check the rocks themselves. The rocks won't care that you are away. We, on the other hand, will miss your exuberance. Have a great cruise and be safe. Hope you get the time to find some rocks during your port calls.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,159
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Post by jamesp on Mar 9, 2017 9:11:09 GMT -5
I really like that last rock, but you have a lot that will be beauties when you are finished. Thank You I sure hope so. They're in AO80 now so I'll check them before I leave on my daughter's senior trip this weekend and get the hubby to peak in on them while I'm gone. Let em roll in AO 80 10-14 days. should be no need to open. Hope you got your barrel about 3/4 full and not too much water. Whatever you did with barrel fill and water level with the SiC 36 looks good as your rocks rounded well. You may be the perfect chaperone for a senior trip. Keep em safe and have fun. Check beaches for rocks if you take port.
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Post by melhill1659 on Mar 9, 2017 9:24:49 GMT -5
captbob that's so sweet and you should know by now I can set those babies now and let em roll. Plus NOBODY touches my equipment! I'll open or shake barrels, check o-rings, and nuts before leaving then have him peak in (fighting the total urge to lock the shop up and deal with any consequences when I get home). Oh and... I AM TOTALLY SPOILED I'll have Internet on the ship ๐ won't check in a lot but will from time to time cause although this won't be a typical rockhounding trip I'm sure something will find its way back home with me.
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Post by melhill1659 on Mar 9, 2017 9:37:18 GMT -5
Thank You I sure hope so. They're in AO80 now so I'll check them before I leave on my daughter's senior trip this weekend and get the hubby to peak in on them while I'm gone. Let em roll in AO 80 10-14 days. should be no need to open. Hope you got your barrel about 3/4 full and not too much water. Whatever you did with barrel fill and water level with the SiC 36 looks good as your rocks rounded well. You may be the perfect chaperone for a senior trip. Keep em safe and have fun. Check beaches for rocks if you take port. Barrels are pretty much as you described above โ๏ธ, senior trip chaperones: Me-for fun; sister-level headedness and protection!โ๏ธI'll post pics if I find anything cool and unusual! We leave early 5:30am Saturday morning. Have a 14hour drive from Jackson, Ms to Fort Lauderdale.
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