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Post by aDave on Oct 15, 2018 17:08:05 GMT -5
Nice work Chuck. Doesn't look like a last-minute setup at all.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 15, 2018 19:08:19 GMT -5
Nice work Chuck. Doesn't look like a last-minute setup at all. Thanks- Going into this I was bummed that I did not have time to do a batch of rocks specifically to show the same species of rock after each stage. Now that I have done it I think next time the most important teaching aid will actually be having the same species of rock shown finish tumbled at different quality levels. In other words have a batch of tiger eye that was done in a rotary tumbler using the tumbler instructions, another batch using the tumbler instructions but a few weeks longer in stage one (still some imperfections), and one final batch done using my steps and equipment to produce flawless pieces. This way they can see first hand what to expect one way or the other. Not everyone is looking for flawless stones. Chuck
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Post by Jugglerguy on Oct 15, 2018 20:48:28 GMT -5
Nice work Chuck. Doesn't look like a last-minute setup at all. Thanks- Going into this I was bummed that I did not have time to do a batch of rocks specifically to show the same species of rock after each stage. Now that I have done it I think next time the most important teaching aid will actually be having the same species of rock shown finish tumbled at different quality levels. In other words have a batch of tiger eye that was done in a rotary tumbler using the tumbler instructions, another batch using the tumbler instructions but a few weeks longer in stage one (still some imperfections), and one final batch done using my steps and equipment to produce flawless pieces. This way they can see first hand what to expect one way or the other. Not everyone is looking for flawless stones. Chuck I had someone ask me to tumble three rock for them once. They specifically did not want them to be perfect. They wanted the original flaws in the rock, but wanted the rock to be shiny. I've had other people look at my batches and like rocks that were completely different than the rocks I like, undercut granite over other tumbled rocks from Lake Superior, to be specific. I tend to forget this when giving advice here. Thanks for reminding me again that my taste is not the same as everyone else's taste.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 15, 2018 20:56:24 GMT -5
Thanks- Going into this I was bummed that I did not have time to do a batch of rocks specifically to show the same species of rock after each stage. Now that I have done it I think next time the most important teaching aid will actually be having the same species of rock shown finish tumbled at different quality levels. In other words have a batch of tiger eye that was done in a rotary tumbler using the tumbler instructions, another batch using the tumbler instructions but a few weeks longer in stage one (still some imperfections), and one final batch done using my steps and equipment to produce flawless pieces. This way they can see first hand what to expect one way or the other. Not everyone is looking for flawless stones. Chuck I had someone ask me to tumble three rock for them once. They specifically did not want them to be perfect. They wanted the original flaws in the rock, but wanted the rock to be shiny. I've had other people look at my batches and like rocks that were completely different than the rocks I like, undercut granite over other tumbled rocks from Lake Superior, to be specific. I tend to forget this when giving advice here. Thanks for reminding me again that my taste is not the same as everyone else's taste. I also had several people ask if they could take the rocks in my throw away bin. There were crazy lace agates, Brazilian agates and a few other name brand rocks in there. Just too many fractures or pits for me to use. I gave away the crazy lace pieces but had to keep the rest for my display. I hated to tell them that I discard a couple pounds of rock just like those every week. I bet I have dumped over 100 pounds of stage one rocks in my pile at the cabin. Do you inspect any of your rough before they ever go into your tumblers? I toss everything in but some may not make it past the first week inspection. Chuck
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Post by Jugglerguy on Oct 16, 2018 19:56:52 GMT -5
I'm really bad about throwing away rocks. I tumble a lot of crap to completion or until it just disappears. I do throw some out, but not nearly enough. I have a box of rock I should throw away that I plan to run the the Lot-O together. This is stuff that has some redeeming qualities, but also has lots of pits or cracks.
I'll throw anything into the barrel. After a week it's a lot more clear what the quality is.
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vayank5150
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2017
Posts: 118
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Post by vayank5150 on Dec 2, 2018 19:37:48 GMT -5
This is a great post. Since I got into this hobby, I have "learned" that there are 4 stages of grit, 1) coarse, 2) medium 3) fine and 4) polish. However, you have five grit stages. How would you define those with labels, so I can help my daughter understand?
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Dec 2, 2018 20:02:49 GMT -5
This is a great post. Since I got into this hobby, I have "learned" that there are 4 stages of grit, 1) coarse, 2) medium 3) fine and 4) polish. However, you have five grit stages. How would you define those with labels, so I can help my daughter understand? 1) coarse. Most commonly 46/70 or 60/90 grit silicon carbide. 2) medium. Most commonly 120/220 or graded 220 silicon carbide. 3) fine. Most commonly 500 or 600 silicon carbide or aluminum oxide. 4) pre polish. Most commonly 1000 or 1200 aluminum oxide. 5) polish. Variety of options but I use sub micron aluminum oxide from the rock shed. A final burnish in powdered borax or ivory soap shavings could be considered a sixth stage. Chuck
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vayank5150
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2017
Posts: 118
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Post by vayank5150 on Dec 2, 2018 20:08:15 GMT -5
This is a great post. Since I got into this hobby, I have "learned" that there are 4 stages of grit, 1) coarse, 2) medium 3) fine and 4) polish. However, you have five grit stages. How would you define those with labels, so I can help my daughter understand? 1) coarse. Most commonly 46/70 or 60/90 grit silicon carbide. 2) medium. Most commonly 120/220 or graded 220 silicon carbide. 3) fine. Most commonly 500 or 600 silicon carbide or aluminum oxide. 4) pre polish. Most commonly 1000 or 1200 aluminum oxide. 5) polish. Variety of options but I use sub micron aluminum oxide from the rock shed. A final burnish in powdered borax or ivory soap shavings could be considered a sixth stage. Chuck Got it now, that you, Chuck!
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Post by Pat on Dec 2, 2018 21:27:37 GMT -5
What a good setup! Thanks!
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mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278
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Post by mossyrockhound on Dec 21, 2018 16:59:47 GMT -5
I just ran across this post and it is a good one! I will refer people to this thread who are just starting to tumble and to those who would like to get better results from their tumbling efforts. Thanks for taking the time to post this Chuck.
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tess
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2018
Posts: 3
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Post by tess on Dec 25, 2018 21:19:13 GMT -5
Ok. It's Christmas day and "Santa" bought our Granddaughter (7 yrs) a rock tumbler, (National Geographic Tumbler) nothing as fancy as you have but she's super excited and you have to start somewhere. The question I have for you....from what I've read I understand the tumbling takes days but is that constantly running? or running during the day and off at nite? We are learning together. She loved the pictures of your booth!!! We went this route because I've learned to check ALL pockets before washing any of her clothes! LoL!! Unfortunately I know from A LOT of experience that washing and drying rocks doesn't work. π
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Dec 25, 2018 21:41:35 GMT -5
Ok. It's Christmas day and "Santa" bought our Granddaughter (7 yrs) a rock tumbler, (National Geographic Tumbler) nothing as fancy as you have but she's super excited and you have to start somewhere. The question I have for you....from what I've read I understand the tumbling takes days but is that constantly running? or running during the day and off at nite? We are learning together. She loved the pictures of your booth!!! We went this route because I've learned to check ALL pockets before washing any of her clothes! LoL!! Unfortunately I know from A LOT of experience that washing and drying rocks doesn't work. π Very cool to hear about another youngster getting involved. My rock hobby started with one of my kids getting involved at a young age. Rock tumbling is a 24-7 process. The tumblers are built to run all the time so no worries about that. There are lots of tips and tricks but I do not want to overwhelm you too soon. Get started and ask questions as you go. As far as tumblers go this one the first one we used and it only held about 1 pound of rocks. Chuck
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tess
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2018
Posts: 3
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Post by tess on Dec 25, 2018 22:09:53 GMT -5
Ok. It's Christmas day and "Santa" bought our Granddaughter (7 yrs) a rock tumbler, (National Geographic Tumbler) nothing as fancy as you have but she's super excited and you have to start somewhere. The question I have for you....from what I've read I understand the tumbling takes days but is that constantly running? or running during the day and off at nite? We are learning together. She loved the pictures of your booth!!! We went this route because I've learned to check ALL pockets before washing any of her clothes! LoL!! Unfortunately I know from A LOT of experience that washing and drying rocks doesn't work. π Very cool to hear about another youngster getting involved. My rock hobby started with one of my kids getting involved at a young age. Rock tumbling is a 24-7 process. The tumblers are built to run all the time so no worries about that. There are lots of tips and tricks but I do not want to overwhelm you too soon. Get started and ask questions as you go. As far as tumblers go this one the first one we used and it only held about 1 pound of rocks. Chuck
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,685
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Post by Tommy on Dec 26, 2018 11:58:34 GMT -5
This is a wonderful thread Chuck - I see that I clicked 'like' but I'm not sure what kept me from commenting in October when you posted it.
It's a true blessing to have you here.
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