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Post by johnw on Jan 9, 2019 1:24:09 GMT -5
Hi John, For the back hole, since it is so shallow, I would definitely contour grind it out and sand until the surface of the depression matches the finish of the adjacent area. I would probably do the same for the front too, but can't tell if that would work by looking at the photo. Sometimes those holes go deeper than you think at first glance. As far as tools, I have a small selection of diamond bits I picked up at the Boeing surplus store. They range from 1/8" to 5/8". I put them in a chuck and turn it with a 1/4 horse motor. Don't know if you have anything like that though. Hi Garry, thanks, appreciate the advice. I have some small diamond bits for my Dremel, but I have never done this before and don't want to ruin the piece inadvertently. I looked at the top hole thru a 50 power loupe and saw inside there was a cavity with a single crystal on the side. Only one, maybe a 1/16" protrusion, the rest of the inside was grayish stuff. I communicated with Donald Pulitzer, the owner of the Best Agate in the World, depicted on the video and was my first opening image and he told me, he too has small holes like mine on his piece he displayed on the video and just let them go thru the process. Susan Bluesky 78987 suggestion was a super-grinder build with continuous diamond blades could be a solution to consider, for which I was grateful for the idea. Grinding seems the best way to go, but I am reluctant to proceed and so will bite the bullet and continue on to the next tumbling process, being 120-200. Hey, these are early days so we'll see how things turn out. If the vug's start to widen, then I will consider radical grinding surgery. Cheers, johnw
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,666
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Post by Fossilman on Jan 9, 2019 9:08:12 GMT -5
Nice looking material, good luck with it...
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doublet83
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2016
Posts: 118
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Post by doublet83 on Jan 11, 2019 12:28:24 GMT -5
I'd vote to just accept the holes and learn to live with the imperfections. The hole looks like a druzy cavity which occurs naturally on this material and doesn't look bad, unlike the fractures.
I've tried tumbling a lot of big crazy lace / laguna lace as well, and they tend to have a lot of these deep fractures or softer spots that under cut. I think your piece is already pretty nice and very fracture free. I think you'll just have to learn to live with these cavities and more can appear if you keep tumbling.
Part of the fun of tumbling this big crazy lace is that its really hard to get a good big piece with nice patterns and no flaws.
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Post by johnw on Jan 14, 2019 1:14:27 GMT -5
I'd vote to just accept the holes and learn to live with the imperfections. The hole looks like a druzy cavity which occurs naturally on this material and doesn't look bad, unlike the fractures. I've tried tumbling a lot of big crazy lace / laguna lace as well, and they tend to have a lot of these deep fractures or softer spots that under cut. I think your piece is already pretty nice and very fracture free. I think you'll just have to learn to live with these cavities and more can appear if you keep tumbling. Part of the fun of tumbling this big crazy lace is that its really hard to get a good big piece with nice patterns and no flaws. doublet83. You are right, I am going to accept the imperfections and move on. Big Crazy is going on to the next phase, being 120--200 and I will live with whatever comes out in the end. Cheers, johnw
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Post by johnw on Jan 15, 2019 23:31:43 GMT -5
Quick report on Tumble Progress: After fixing all the issues with the 65T, replacing bearing blocks, "V" belt and changing out the tumbling rods there are no clicking sounds and all runs normal. So Big Crazy is now getting ready for the 120-200 phase. Images will follow, but here is the process. First, (ref. MsAli), I layered the Bahia's, at 10 pounds , then Big Crazy at 5 pounds, added another 20 pounds of Bahia's plus 5 pounds of 120-200 grit and finished off with 5 pounds of water. Total weight inclusive of a 5 pound barrel is 50 pounds, all buttoned up. Started at 4:13 pm on 1-15 and will revisit, 1-31, after a good two week run. First layer of Bahia's Added Big Crazy Finished layering, with additional Bahia's, grit and water. All ready to button up, being 3/4 full. All ready to Tumble and Rumble.........TBC.......... in two weeks. Cheers, johnw
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Post by johnw on Jan 24, 2019 23:31:17 GMT -5
Big Rock Tumble Progress: The 65T Big Dawg is back and is loaded with Big Crazy 2, (aka) "Brownie" at Big Crazy's Pastry Shop. I had a tuff negotiation with the cookers to give up the confection but they have agreed to take an "Eye Candy" stone in swap. The process for BC2 is: Barrel 10#, first layer:15# Bahia's, topped by BC2 @ 9#-12 oz., second layer: 52# Bahia's, third layer: ceramics and fill at 10#, followed by 8# 46-70 grit and water at 16#. Total weight 120#. Started at 6:oo pm Jan 24, will revisit in 20 days. Here are a few pictures of the process. Brownie (aka) Big Crazy 2: BC2 First layer BC2 in place All ready to button up Moment of truth BC1 and BC2 in motion. We will revist BC1 next Thursday, Jan 31st. Hope you are enjoying the journey................... Cheers, johnw
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Jan 27, 2019 1:31:22 GMT -5
Big Rock Tumble Progress: The 65T Big Dawg is back and is loaded with Big Crazy 2, (aka) "Brownie" at Big Crazy's Pastry Shop. I had a tuff negotiation with the cookers to give up the confection but they have agreed to take an "Eye Candy" stone in swap. The process for BC2 is: Barrel 10#, first layer:15# Bahia's, topped by BC2 @ 9#-12 oz., second layer: 52# Bahia's, third layer: ceramics and fill at 10#, followed by 8# 46-70 grit and water at 16#. Total weight 120#. Started at 6:oo pm Jan 24, will revisit in 20 days. Here are a few pictures of the process. Brownie (aka) Big Crazy 2: BC2 First layer BC2 in place All ready to button up Moment of truth BC1 and BC2 in motion. We will revist BC1 next Thursday, Jan 31st. Hope you are enjoying the journey................... Cheers, johnw I need to start selling some rocks so I can justify one of those big blue back killers! Maybe a C40 would be more my speed.... I must wonder, though. What will that 5 pound crazy lace look like when it's done??
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Post by johnw on Jan 29, 2019 1:01:19 GMT -5
Big Rock Tumble Progress: The 65T Big Dawg is back and is loaded with Big Crazy 2, (aka) "Brownie" at Big Crazy's Pastry Shop. I had a tuff negotiation with the cookers to give up the confection but they have agreed to take an "Eye Candy" stone in swap. The process for BC2 is: Barrel 10#, first layer:15# Bahia's, topped by BC2 @ 9#-12 oz., second layer: 52# Bahia's, third layer: ceramics and fill at 10#, followed by 8# 46-70 grit and water at 16#. Total weight 120#. Started at 6:oo pm Jan 24, will revisit in 20 days. Here are a few pictures of the process. Brownie (aka) Big Crazy 2: BC2 First layer BC2 in place All ready to button up Moment of truth BC1 and BC2 in motion. We will revist BC1 next Thursday, Jan 31st. Hope you are enjoying the journey................... Cheers, johnw I need to start selling some rocks so I can justify one of those big blue back killers! Maybe a C40 would be more my speed.... I must wonder, though. What will that 5 pound crazy lace look like when it's done?? MrCoffee : I am guessing at least a pound slimmer and gorgeous.............. Hellofa way to lose weight though. Cheers, johnw
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Post by johnw on Feb 1, 2019 23:02:20 GMT -5
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,121
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Post by RWA3006 on Feb 22, 2019 22:27:10 GMT -5
I will miss John's journey in tumbling. I liked this thread. RIP
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Feb 20, 2020 6:34:32 GMT -5
Big Rock Tumble Progress: Big Crazy One is coming of age and is adapting to the 120-200 grit after a good two weeks. I added one pound of grit, a pound of ceramics and after the photo op put back for another two weeks. I do believe I can safely say that Big Crazy is now becoming Eye Candy with a surface like glass. Here are the images: Thank's for looking...........The journey contines.... Cheers, johnw Sorry for the long delayed response, but that really looks nice! Are you still running your Diamond Pacific back killer??? My last batch of Lake Superior agates turned out to be duds. I need to find a better source.
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Post by MsAli on Feb 20, 2020 8:15:15 GMT -5
Big Rock Tumble Progress: Big Crazy One is coming of age and is adapting to the 120-200 grit after a good two weeks. I added one pound of grit, a pound of ceramics and after the photo op put back for another two weeks. I do believe I can safely say that Big Crazy is now becoming Eye Candy with a surface like glass. Here are the images: Thank's for looking...........The journey contines.... Cheers, johnw Sorry for the long delayed response, but that really looks nice! Are you still running your Diamond Pacific back killer??? My last batch of Lake Superior agates turned out to be duds. I need to find a better source. Sadly he has passed away
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