scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Oct 25, 2016 0:11:59 GMT -5
You don't need felt to make the polishing pad,
On my flat lap I make my own polishing pads by gluing woolen carpet (any type will do) to a magnetic backer. From your description of the patchy finish it sounds like the face isn't completely flat. I would suggest spending much more time on the coarse grind (80 grit)in order to make sure the face is really flat.
Cheers Scott
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Oct 1, 2016 20:29:26 GMT -5
nice result. just one word of advice. Reverse the order of the storage of your grits and polish. The logic is heavy things at the bottom and lightest at the top. Heavy grit will always contaminate downwards rather than upwards.
Cheers Scott
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 22, 2016 2:18:23 GMT -5
Thanks..... next year I plan to go one better 😊
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 22, 2016 1:37:06 GMT -5
here's mine straight off the face book post Cheers Scott
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 22, 2016 1:35:49 GMT -5
Here are my entries for the world tumbling contest
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 22, 2016 1:31:08 GMT -5
Hi all,
Thanks for the compliments. This material is New Zealand agates, jaspers and petrified wood with a very small amount of Australian agate mixed in. You may think that some of these pieces are huge but for me they are the average size as I will tumble specimens that are up to the size of a softball. Some of these would not normally have made it into the final polish due to the odd fracture. However, I needed to make up a load so I could do the 220, 600 and polish stages on my world tumbling contest entries.
Yep NZ has some very fine agate, petrified wood, jasper and quartzite. Have a look at the new Zealand section on my friends agate web site (http://www.mineralworld.de/html/neu_seeland_engl.html) Also try to get hold of the New Zealand agate book that was written by my friend Malcolm Luxton he still has a few in stock if you want me to put you in touch pm me. I will try to send some close ups when I get time for those who requested them.
Mean while thanks again.
Cheers Scott
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 20, 2016 5:11:20 GMT -5
Well just finished another 14 pound tumble. This is the batch that I did my entries for the world tumbling contest in. probably will keep these for myself these ones will go in a jar for the guess how many stones in the jar competition at our club show this weekend These go in the giveaway plate at home Overall not too bad a load and was fairly happy with them. Enjoy, Cheers Scott
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 17, 2016 19:39:32 GMT -5
Hi I know I am late to the conversation, My thoughts echo everyone else's ditch the pumice, get some aluminium or tin oxide polish, and if you want filler you can use anything from ceramics, marbles or even pea gravel, and yes look for a good non-foaming washing detergent that can be used instead of borax.
Cheers Scott
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 14, 2016 3:49:09 GMT -5
Never really had a lid problem with the larger barrels. The top rubber seal will wear out but I just buy a sheet of rubber from a specialist supplier and cut my own. I get somewhere between 2-3 years of continuous tumbling out of the upper gasket. Have never worn out a barrel liner yet
Cheers Scott
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 14, 2016 3:34:36 GMT -5
I just use a disposable nitrile gloves. Just use a shallow container then it won't go down them
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 13, 2016 2:23:01 GMT -5
Personally I prefer the Thumler's 15 lb style barrels on my homemade tumblers for my small loads as I have a very serious rock addiction. However, I have seen some very nice tumbles turned out by members of the forum using the smaller Lortone tumblers so while these are not my cup of tea I would have to say people seem to like them and they get really good results with them so as a beginner that's where I would be looking.
Cheers Scott
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 8, 2016 1:31:41 GMT -5
Yep that's kids for you. I was so good at that sort of thing that a 8 foot fence couldn't keep me in. At 3 years of age I went over the top so to speak with my trike and was about 3 miles down the road before I was spotted by one of my mother's friends. When I was in real form my father had difficulty coping and would stand there tearing his hair out muttering your nothing but a limb of Satan. Hey I only partially burnt the house down that time:) .
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 7, 2016 3:00:03 GMT -5
Does this mean I am 1/4 as good as Drummond Island Rocks?...... still want to know who got third place?
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 6, 2016 15:26:46 GMT -5
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 6, 2016 15:24:00 GMT -5
Way to go Rob!! Congratulations. We can all say we knew ya back before you were world wide famous. And Scotty with the 2nd place ribbon! Pictures of your rocks Scotty? Congrats to you as well sir! A RTH sweep would be awesome. Unfortunately I got them all packed up and ready to go without taking a picture. However, there is a thread on the forum where there is a picture of the rejects
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 6, 2016 2:50:46 GMT -5
Next question is who took out third
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 6, 2016 2:46:00 GMT -5
Forgot to say congratulations Rob
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 6, 2016 2:44:45 GMT -5
I know who won second place....
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 5, 2016 17:31:24 GMT -5
everything from go to whoa is in the rotary
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scottyh
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2007
Posts: 181
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Post by scottyh on Sept 5, 2016 2:27:01 GMT -5
Hi James no problems, will post everything and a week by week update. Plan is to run 3/4 full and just go week in week out until I am happy. Have 3-4 fist size pieces tumbling for a friend from the club at the moment. Will post a picture of those next clean out.
Cheers Scott
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