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Post by stoner on Jul 10, 2006 15:30:30 GMT -5
Hi all. I just checked on the load of opalized wood after 10 days in 60/90 and had 2 surprises. First was that the grit had settled to the bottom of the barrel(too much water) and second, how much the pieces had rounded out in spite of the grit not being put to use. This looks like it's going to turn out to be a nice batch. I think this is the first time ever that I had an exclusive batch of one type of rock. Anyway, here's what it looks like now. A couple of nice pieces Hopefully this new recharge will work better and I'll be able to move them along to 120/220 by next week.
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Post by Cher on Jul 10, 2006 15:36:00 GMT -5
I hate when the grit does that. They are coming along nicely though, doesn't look like it will take too much to have them ready. Hmmm speaking of tumbler, I have one to fix.
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Shelbeeray
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2006
Posts: 688
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Post by Shelbeeray on Jul 10, 2006 20:11:22 GMT -5
I've had that happen once, annoying as all getout! Those rocks are really well on their way. They must be fairly soft?
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Post by Toad on Jul 10, 2006 20:32:17 GMT -5
Shaping up nicely...
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Post by sandsman1 on Jul 12, 2006 0:37:17 GMT -5
hey ed very cool wood man ---i didnt have grit when i first won this tumbler im runnin and i just wated to hear the rumble and get some sleep so i put the normal amout of water in and rock and let it roll and i was realy surprized at how much the stone rounded out with just water -- of course its better with the grit but if i ran out of grit id let it roll till it came and just open and add cause it does make a big dif with just the water
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jul 12, 2006 8:51:20 GMT -5
Sweet- I can't wait to start some of mine- Man Stoner some of that stuff looks like it has Plumes and Dendrites?
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blarneystone
spending too much on rocks
Rocks in my head
Member since March 2010
Posts: 307
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Post by blarneystone on Jul 12, 2006 9:15:05 GMT -5
Really Nice Ed. Love that Pet Wood. Looks like that's gonna be a nice batch.
I've been looking around on the net trying to find out how to tell if wood is oplalized or agatized or silicified...no luck so far. I'm guessing that they can be ID'd visually but I'm not experienced enough to know the diff. Any suggestions on where to start finding this information would be appreciated....
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Post by akansan on Jul 12, 2006 9:36:38 GMT -5
Stoner, those do look nice. You got a lot of color in that group of wood!
Blarney - This is just personal personal observation, but my opalized wood is a little more brittle and apt to break with the wood grain still. The wood itself has more of a sheen then just regular petrified wood. When tumbling, the opalized wood disappears faster/shapes unevenly then the regular petrified wood.
My agatized wood is more solid and harder than the opalized wood, with definite translucent/clear areas. The wood grain can be present or not present with the agatized. I have one bunch of agatized that when cut looks like areas of brown, yellow, or red floating in clear agate, but it's definitely pet wood.
My understanding of silicified wood is it's the same thing as your "regular" petrified wood we find normally. The cell structure is replaced by silica during the petrifying process.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,484
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Post by Sabre52 on Jul 12, 2006 9:52:02 GMT -5
Wow, that Gabbs wood is really shaping up nice and those colors seem to glow! Looking good.....mel
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blarneystone
spending too much on rocks
Rocks in my head
Member since March 2010
Posts: 307
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Post by blarneystone on Jul 12, 2006 10:05:31 GMT -5
Hey Thanks Akansan - That info does help.
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Post by stoner on Jul 12, 2006 12:12:36 GMT -5
Hey Blarney, she's pretty much right on in her description and differences of regular pet wood and opalized wood. It is softer, and even rough, it has somewhat of a shine to it. I noticed with this stuff that in the sunlight as you turn the piece it has an opalescense to it. The pieces with the black, yellow, and white coloring do look like they have plumes, really cool looking. I still have about 500lbs if anyone is interested in getting some.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jul 13, 2006 12:38:53 GMT -5
Opalized wood can be a tough nut also- I have some from Trish (arkierockhound) that is just a bear to cut up- I think a lot depends on the original wood (think hardwood vs. soft wood) But one thing I noticed is that all the opalized wood has that sheen (it almost looks wet and shiny- even when it is dry)!
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blarneystone
spending too much on rocks
Rocks in my head
Member since March 2010
Posts: 307
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Post by blarneystone on Jul 14, 2006 11:18:20 GMT -5
Huh...Some of the stuff I'm finding is pitch black and VERY shiney...makes a nice ping sound when tapped with a hammer or other stone. I have about 75#s worth of PW I need to clean up but I'll post some pics soon...Most of the PW I collect from the River is coated with calcium deposits and has to be soaked in vinegar or CLR to remove....
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