Trylobyte
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 101
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Post by Trylobyte on Feb 9, 2004 16:19:12 GMT -5
Here's some pics of my last two batches: This one is a mixed beach jasper and assorted rocks(personally collected) and some beach agates from the Oregon Coast (bought those): www.naturalsitesolutions.com/Images/Pics/Agate Jasper Load.JPG[/img] www.naturalsitesolutions.com/Images/Pics/Jasper closeup on towel.JPG[/img] www.naturalsitesolutions.com/Images/Pics/Samll agate closeup.JPG[/img] These are 'bout an 8.5-9 out of 10 on the shine index. Many were mirror and some slightly less. They went through 2 weeks of 46/70, a week of 120/220, a week of 400, a week of 600, then polished in 3 days with cerium in a vibrator. These here were given to me by a guy who works construction in the Columbia Basin region of Eastern Washington. He had accumulated a whole 5 gal bucket full in about 15 years. I told him I'd give him half after tumbling. www.naturalsitesolutions.com/Images/Pics/Columbia basin agate.JPG[/img] www.naturalsitesolutions.com/Images/Pics/Agate closeup.JPG[/img] As with the first load, these were about a 9 out of 10 on the shine index. Many were mirror, some slightly less. These spent 3 weeks in 60/90, a week in 120/220, a week in 400, a week in 600, then polished in 4 days in cerium in a vibrator. As you can see, I always try to have a balanced load with some large (1.5-2.5", some medium (.5-1.5"), and a handfull or two of small (under .5")
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Feb 9, 2004 17:13:57 GMT -5
Beautiful!!!!! ask your contractor friend if he wants to sell some of the rough I am sure that you will have a few offers here.
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Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Banjocreek on Feb 9, 2004 17:39:58 GMT -5
Very nice job on those. I appreciate you giving the info on what you used, and for how long. I can really see the reflection in those stones. They have that 'Wet Shine' look that we all strive for. Good Work!
The time in the vibrator seems short, does it work more quickly than a rotary tumbler? Again I say "Well done." -Banjo
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Post by sandsman1 on Feb 9, 2004 18:38:56 GMT -5
hi all those are realy nice trylobyte well done those red ones in the one pic are way cool looking do you know what there name is if not no biggie but anyway there all nice seeya john
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Trylobyte
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 101
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Post by Trylobyte on Feb 9, 2004 18:41:56 GMT -5
Vibrators work much more quickly. They do not, however, do as good a job of rounding the stones in the grinding phase. I only have one vibrator (a Thumlers Ultra Vibe 10 Industrial) so far, and so I only use it for polishing, and it has done a great job on the 3 batches I've run through it. 3-4 days is all it took.
They do a great job in a quicker time, but boy are they loud, and REAL loud with the lid off. My wife is an audiologist, and she's giving me a ration of fecal matter about not wearing hearing protection. But I need to hear the stones...
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donwrob
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 509
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Post by donwrob on Feb 9, 2004 18:52:35 GMT -5
Hey T-byte, great pics! Real pretty stuff buddy. It sounds like you and I tumble in the same manner. I also finish in a Thumblers Ultra-vibe 10 ind. Also in the wife department. I've consider wearing hearing protection, but not till I come in from the garage and have to listen to her complain about the noise. She can chatter much louder than the vibe ever gets. LOL, umm, I hope she never reads this . Again, great looking batch! Cheers, Don
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Post by rockyraccoon on Feb 9, 2004 22:48:50 GMT -5
those are really nice! makes me want to pick up some and examine them. wish we could zoom in!
kim
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Feb 10, 2004 12:40:42 GMT -5
Wonderful job! Those came out great. I really like the agates and the red jaspers. Nice!!!
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Post by Noosh9057 on Feb 10, 2004 15:19:32 GMT -5
Hay this looks great!!!!!!!! Good JOB!!!
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Post by creativeminded on Feb 10, 2004 23:08:48 GMT -5
Are the red ones the Jasper? The reason I ask is I have found alot of red colored stones in the batches I got from the Spokane Mines.
Tami
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