jimmyt
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2018
Posts: 5
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Post by jimmyt on Jul 12, 2018 14:28:04 GMT -5
HI, I am just getting started in this hobby and have a question that I cannot seem to find answers to: How do I prepare the rocks so they are small enough in size and shape so that once finished, they have a reasonably rounded sort of regular shape. Maybe my problem is I am using what I have so far which is mostly flint from Flint Ridge area in Ohio. I cannot break it up small enough nor regular enough to get the proper size and shape that I see others get out of the tumbler finished. My flint is beautiful but the shapes are totally random and I would like to get smaller and more regular sized finished stones Any help would be great.
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Post by fernwood on Jul 12, 2018 14:41:33 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH. Some use a trim saw to pre shape their tumbles. Other break them apart and then grind them to shape.
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Post by pauls on Jul 12, 2018 16:40:23 GMT -5
I do both, saw and grind, my material I tumble for a few weeks to remove crusty bits and round the edges so I can see cracks and get an idea where the stone is going, then saw along the cracks and round the edges of the sawn edge on the grinder.
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Post by aDave on Jul 12, 2018 18:25:57 GMT -5
Welcome, Many of us use tile saws to size down material. They aren't too expensive when compared with lapidary saws, and they can often be found rather cheap at places like Harbor Freight or Craigslist. If I can avoid it, I don't like breaking rocks with a hammer due to potential increase in waste. Some, on the other hand, just pound away. Here is a video that Garage Rocker did, just so you have an idea of what the process looks like. Note that he, and again, others will pull the rocks while working from the backside of the saw. This way, you avoid getting sprayed and totally soaked.
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Post by vegasjames on Jul 12, 2018 20:41:38 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum.
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Post by spiceman on Jul 12, 2018 23:38:06 GMT -5
This forum is great., welcome.
A tough question, that I ask here when I started. Breaking the stone makes it look natural. Cutting, works good but flat surfaces. Either way you pick is the right answer. Not what you want to hear but it's 50...,50
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Jul 13, 2018 0:49:19 GMT -5
HI, I am just getting started in this hobby and have a question that I cannot seem to find answers to: How do I prepare the rocks so they are small enough in size and shape so that once finished, they have a reasonably rounded sort of regular shape. Maybe my problem is I am using what I have so far which is mostly flint from Flint Ridge area in Ohio. I cannot break it up small enough nor regular enough to get the proper size and shape that I see others get out of the tumbler finished. My flint is beautiful but the shapes are totally random and I would like to get smaller and more regular sized finished stones Any help would be great. I'm not quite sure what "more regular sized finish" implies.........If you're considering a more rounded, less angular size in the 1" to 2" category, preforming prior to tumble can be the quickest way to start a batch in the 1st rough stage grinding cycle........like this....:
Accomplished by saw cutting and grinding with various diamond type discs.........although it takes additional time to prep, it saves on the time and effort required to accomplish similar results just throwing the rough into the tumbler.
Another consideration (more time consuming) is (once broken up into desired sizes), running the stones through 1st cycle tumbles for extended amounts of time........which will also require various cycles of grit re-charge and slurry maintenance........it's not uncommon for rough stages of rotary tumbles to take several weeks to get the stones sized and "rounded" to ones personal preference. It's just the normal part of the process.
Personally, I preform all of my more special rough prior to 1st stage rotary tumble..........roll them for as long as it takes to get the saw, disc sanding and chiseled textures smoothed out. Then transfer them into a vibe tumbler using 120/220 Sic........from there it's just a matter of monitoring experience as to when the next grinding/polishing cycles should commence. Depending on the stone type, hardness and additional media being used, the cycles can be as short as 24hrs or as long as 4 days each............it's all just part of the whole process.......no magic or tricks involved....!
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Post by grumpybill on Jul 13, 2018 12:02:55 GMT -5
I cut/pre-shape almost everything that goes into my tumblers. As others have mentioned, a cheap tile saw works well for this provided you have a decent blade on it.
What hasn't been mentioned is that you don't absolutely NEED a diamond disc or wheel for final shaping, rounding off edges, etc. I often find it's quicker/easier to do that with the side of the saw blade as I'm cutting than to set up my flex shaft tool.
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jimmyt
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2018
Posts: 5
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Post by jimmyt on Jul 13, 2018 13:38:04 GMT -5
THanks a million, absolutely the info I needed. Will have a tile saw shortly jim
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