rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Dec 27, 2007 23:07:40 GMT -5
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Post by akansan on Dec 27, 2007 23:12:45 GMT -5
Fun batch! What are the black spotted white agate pieces?
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Dec 27, 2007 23:34:59 GMT -5
That's Dendritic Agate from Wyoming. Close to the Medicine Bow Agate mine. But I can't really call in Medicine Bow Agate. It cuts great cabs but when tumbled the black dendritic part is softer so they end up looking a little pock marked.
BTW I hear that the Medicine Bow Agate mine is closed. The person who owns the land that has the only access has fenced it off and won't allow anyone to cross his land to get to the mine. Probably holding out for money. I don't know who owns the mine but they're SOL until that landowner changes his mind, sells his property, or kicks the bucket...
Rick
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Post by Michael John on Dec 27, 2007 23:37:53 GMT -5
Wow! Great shine on beautiful material!
A lot of different reds in there ... gorgeous!
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bouldergal
freely admits to licking rocks
Glacier Meadow
Member since July 2007
Posts: 783
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Post by bouldergal on Dec 28, 2007 10:00:58 GMT -5
I've been doing the same thing recently. I have a load going in a rotary tumbler and will then switch it to my vibratory! It seems to be working pretty well for me. I agree with your problem, tho! One can never have too many vibratory tumblers!!! I think Randy is one of the "Tumbler Kings!"
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Post by Tonyterner on Dec 28, 2007 10:23:12 GMT -5
Nice batch Rick. There seems to one of just about every rock in it. ;D I love that little pet wood strip in the last pic.
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Dec 28, 2007 12:38:30 GMT -5
Actually that is a piece of Marra Mamba. It didn't polish as well as the others since it is softer. I need to tumble a batch by itself. It tumbles easier than cutting it into cabs. The wide areas of the tiger eye splits like crazy. Also, it was worn pretty thin banging around with all the petrified wood and jaspers.
Rick
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Dec 28, 2007 12:53:55 GMT -5
Hey Rick , great batch .. what kind of recipe are you using ? I have a vib but havent used it yet couse I'm not real sure on a recipe
Thanks Wolf
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Post by Condor on Dec 28, 2007 14:11:56 GMT -5
They sure come out nice doing it that way don't they? Makes it a lot easier, and cuts time on the entire process.
Condor
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Post by Cher on Dec 28, 2007 14:15:43 GMT -5
That's a really pretty batch of rocks, so much color in it and looks like you got a great shine.
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Dec 28, 2007 14:18:10 GMT -5
I did the preliminary tumbling in my rotary tumbler. I did the 60/90 cycle for I think 6-8 weeks cleaning out the tumblers every week until a month into it I went to cleaning out every two weeks because I was flushing out some perfectly good grit. Then two weeks each for the 110/220 and 600. Then it was in the vibratory tumbler with tin oxide and tumbled tempered glass shards for 5 days.
I'm still a newbie when it comes to vibratory tumbling. Look for thread I started about a month ago. I think the title was: "Vibratory Tumbler - How Much?" I got some great advice and hand holding from the board.
My plan is doing the 60/90 cycle in the rotary tumbler then switch to the vibratories for the 110/220, 600, and polish cycles...
Rick
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Post by puppie96 on Dec 28, 2007 19:41:55 GMT -5
Yes, many of us have been using this method for a long time and like it a lot.
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Dec 28, 2007 19:57:15 GMT -5
Thanks Rick I'll do a search for it
Wolf
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Post by rocklicker on Dec 28, 2007 23:42:25 GMT -5
Look like a great recipe you got there. Nice batch of rocks especially those dendratic agates from Wyoming. Steve
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Post by midnightrocksi3 on Dec 29, 2007 12:31:58 GMT -5
What's up RG? I'm sitting with an overdose of color on my screen.. and still can't get enough of it.. I love those shapes and colors.. Man I bet it's like a candy shop over at your place. huh.. lol.. Very Cool Collection ya got right there..
*smiles* Roxy
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Post by beefjello on Dec 29, 2007 12:35:41 GMT -5
Super batch Rick!
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