ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Apr 30, 2017 20:14:29 GMT -5
Well, here is my next batch of rocks. These include my rocks for the tumbling contest. I'm not sure if it's taboo to post your finished competition rocks, but I doubt this give away some competitive advantage. I didn't do anything to my contest rocks other than throw them into the tumbler. I didn't break anything up or do any hand grinding. There are about 10 not shown that had big flaws or were very rough and didn't look like they would take a shine Standard "recipe" 46/70 SiC in my QT-66. Weekly clean outs. Pulled rocks when ready. 2 tablespoons 120/220 SiC for 2 days in Lot-O 1/2 teaspoon 500 AO + 1 tablespoon Borax for 2 days in Lot-O 1/2 teaspoon 1000 AO + 1 tablespoon Borax for 2 days in Lot-O 1/2 teaspoon Polish + 1 tablespoon Borax for 2 days in Lot-O 2 tablespoons Borax as a final burnish for 5 hours in Lot-O Group shot Apache Tears Mahogany obsidian Competition group shot I think these are the 5 I'm sending in
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Post by wigglinrocks on Apr 30, 2017 20:22:44 GMT -5
No shortage of shine there . Nice looking bunch .
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Post by orrum on Apr 30, 2017 20:45:38 GMT -5
Them b talking loud n proud competition rocks!!!!
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Post by Toad on Apr 30, 2017 21:46:21 GMT -5
Great job on those.
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Post by MrMike on May 1, 2017 5:26:39 GMT -5
Great batch Dave, that mahogany is fantastic, good luck with your contest rocks.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on May 1, 2017 6:48:26 GMT -5
Top notch tumble and perfect photos. Thanks for sharing.
Chuck
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Post by Garage Rocker on May 1, 2017 8:01:22 GMT -5
Nice tumbles, Dave. Good luck with your contest rocks. I have some obsidian rolling now, I'd like it to come out like yours.
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Post by pghram on May 5, 2017 11:31:43 GMT -5
Super shine! That's a challenging tumble.
Peace, Rich
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on May 5, 2017 13:01:03 GMT -5
What a nice looking batch. It looks like you have better luck than I have in the past with trying to tumble (actually vibe), different rock types with obsidian. Your competition rocks look great!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on May 5, 2017 13:08:11 GMT -5
Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I originally started out keeping the obsidian all by itself, but found it does fairly well when mixed with everything else. As stated, maybe I've just been lucky. I still have a bunch of obsidian get some type of chip or crack when running thru the Lot-O. I just toss those back into course grind until they're smooth again and start the polish over. I figure when the rock is ready to be finished, it will come out looking nice. Not worth stressing over anymore! Garage Rocker, I wonder if you'll see the same issue with your batch. What types are you tumbling? Are they in their own barrel?
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Post by Garage Rocker on May 5, 2017 13:58:25 GMT -5
Garage Rocker , I wonder if you'll see the same issue with your batch. What types are you tumbling? Are they in their own barrel? I threw in a mix of every kind I found in my buckets. They are in my 33B barrels, on their own. I don't have much luck getting efficient tumbling results in those little barrels, it seems like grit doesn't want to break down, so they pretty much just get left to roll until I have absolutely nothing else to do. The obsidian has been rolling for a month with two cleanouts, I think. I'll check it again in another week, and probably end up throwing them in the QT66 with everything else. My apache tears did just fine in the big barrels with the agate and jasper. I didn't notice a lot of chipping in the Lot O, but there were a few pieces that needed to go back to course grind for another ride.
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vera
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2016
Posts: 259
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Post by vera on May 25, 2017 20:25:27 GMT -5
Congrats on getting your contest rocks so nice looking! I hope mine come out that well. I totally love your mahogany obsidian and Apache tears.
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