jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 26, 2015 13:42:44 GMT -5
Granite is mostly crystalline quartz and felspar. This is called pink granite based on the pink felspar. Slurry was generated by adding mud at start. SiC 30/60 grit. Pea gravel(also granite) for filler. The pure granite pea gravel makes fine filler for felspar, amazonstone, labradolite, rose quartz and amethyst. Granite chosen for color and good shape for tumbling. Before tumbling:  After 7 days:   Pea gravel  The mud used to initiate the slurry, not a cow paddy, but maybe next time. 1/2 gallon for 30 pounds of rock. Clay suspends well in water to increase weight lifting heavy 30/60 grit and sticking it to the rocks. Surprisingly good results. Georgia clay is platelet type clay. One of the finest clays for dams when compressed. Also good at making water muddy forever.  The barrel and contents except rocks on left not tumbled:  |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 26, 2015 14:04:01 GMT -5
It may "just" be granite, but it's purdy!
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 26, 2015 14:24:48 GMT -5
It may "just" be granite, but it's purdy! Thanks Jean. I think the folks that consume meth are picking up the rail spikes to resale, me the rocks. They were puzzled. Atlanta riddled with rail, ya see how desperate we are ? The purpley one on the right in middle photo is full of garnet specs. |
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Post by iant on Mar 27, 2015 2:30:11 GMT -5
I've been disappointed with granite undercutting whenever I have tried, but I'm sure you will get the best out of this material Jim!
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 27, 2015 6:32:33 GMT -5
I've been disappointed with granite undercutting whenever I have tried, but I'm sure you will get the best out of this material Jim! The only luck I have ever had with felspars is in the rotary from start to finish Ian. The vibratory sure wants to under cut it. There is so much granite here that the quarries can pick and choose the quality for it's hardness and toughness for countertops, tombstones,etc. Most of it has a high quartz content. That sure helps. A small town called Elberton Georgia >10,000 people makes this claim, maybe it is not true but they do quarry a lot of granite: " Elberton claims the title "Granite Capital of the World," annually producing more granite products than any other city in the world." It is an experience to drive thru the little town. Wire saws and blade saws running out in the open 24 hours a day. Saws cutting from standard 5' X 5' X 10' blocks of granite at small family owned businesses are all over town. I know the railway uses high grade granite for underlayment. You can see that the felspar in the tumbles is in small patches. They pick larger felspar crystals often about one inch for countertops. It is not as durable for abusive situations, but appealing to the eye. |
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Post by gingerkid on Mar 27, 2015 11:24:28 GMT -5
Your GA granite tumbles look like they are coming along great, jamesp. Very pretty! How much GA red clay are you placing in your tumbler with the granite and granite pea gravel? Does the clay give you any problem with staining the granite? Ya know I gotta do it ----   captbob! |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 27, 2015 19:27:29 GMT -5
Your GA granite tumbles look like they are coming along great, jamesp. Very pretty! How much GA red clay are you placing in your tumbler with the granite and granite pea gravel? Does the clay give you any problem with staining the granite? Ya know I gotta do it ---- captbob! No stains Jan. The clay makes them run quiet. A pet peave, that slurry. Some wait for a slurry, I like one right from the start of each grit addition. Not to thick though. No different than dissolving salt in water till it floats an egg. Mud also makes water heavy. Helps pick up the grit. It makes a big difference in coarse grind. I know for a fact it does with SiC 30/60. The 30 grit particles do not mix with the rocks for 2-4 days because they are heavy. Not until a slurry develops usually at about day 3 do they start to circulate. I used to use 16 grit, and it was real bad about not mixing. That may be the reason most tumbling instructions say to start with straight water and 60 grit. Never heard of instructions suggesting larger than 60 grit. When I add mud or sugar at the start to make a medium slurry the grit is completely gone in 2-3 days. If I start with pure water it takes 5-6 days to break the grit down. |
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Post by mohs on Mar 27, 2015 20:35:19 GMT -5
Pretty neat James I was checking out granite today during my stroll through downtown Phoenix. There is this huge (dilapidated now) skyscraper built in 1930 that was the major bank in Phoenix. I recall as a child going in that bank and being wowed by all the granite. Some of that granite is still in that building. Especially on the outside. The façades that cover the limestone walls. Anyway it neat old building. People have tried to save it by turning into some thing else. Hotel for instance. But it looks like it going to be demolished. Maybe I should talk to some one & try get some of the granite. Here’s the best picture I could find on the web.  I think I need to go downtown tomorrow & take some |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 28, 2015 4:22:34 GMT -5
mohs-The real estate bunch will most likely drop that building and not salvage much, what do you think ? Sounds like a good urban rock hound road trip. It may be occupied by the wrong crowd though. Usually they set up a grinder and convert the ruins into road gravel. Post your findings. Permission may be an issue...hate to see you get in trouble.
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Post by snowmom on Mar 28, 2015 6:16:27 GMT -5
Love to see granite being polished. It doesn't seem to be appreciated as much as it deserves to be. Looking forward to seeing the finished tumbles. Maybe time for another "show us your granite" thread. |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 28, 2015 7:44:56 GMT -5
Love to see granite being polished. It doesn't seem to be appreciated as much as it deserves to be. Looking forward to seeing the finished tumbles. Maybe time for another "show us your granite" thread. It may undercut in the tumbler. Hope not. Must run a few test pieces in the vibe. Pretty sure it will undercut in the vibe. Nice to collect a rock that is tumbler ready snowmom. The sizes and shapes were perfect. Pick and choose from the gravel. I have been stopping at rail tracks as I pass by them. The tracks from Palmetto, GA to gingerkid's town are prettiest. 10 miles from house. My neighbor was a retired railroad detective. They have very strong authority. Like a game warden. He had some stories. Some of their authority was apparently still in force resulting from the laws in the days of Pinkerton in Michigan. Apparently law enforcement turns their heads a bit for the train police LOL. From the way he talked you were safer doing an armed bank robbery. There is some mean ass old timers around here, and they all feared Mr. Purcell. Does "shoot first, ask questions later" ring a bell. |
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Post by mohs on Mar 28, 2015 10:01:43 GMT -5
Howdy James The building in question is featured in the opening of, “Psycho” It the one with the large rotating hexagonal sign. Which was the Valley National Bank 1:54 through 2:02 I’m pretty sure the shot was taken from South Mountain That’s Camelback Mountain out to the left of the building at 1:54 The building is in the art deco style & on the National Historic Register. So maybe it won’t be demolished Anyway its full of granite Which I wouldn’t say I go psycho over  but I certainly don’t take it for granite either |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 28, 2015 10:29:53 GMT -5
mohs-Be cautious LOL Hope the building is restored. They may have to bondo heart shaped missing spots in the granite. 
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Post by mohs on Mar 28, 2015 11:11:41 GMT -5
Right on James ! a lost heart in the Phoenix granite another clue! Although I have to remark that Janet Leigh rocks ! Heard what she told her boyfriend? ‘I’ll lick the stamps’ Imagine what she would have said if he was sending granite rocks by mail ?  |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 28, 2015 11:21:23 GMT -5
Right on James ! a lost heart in the Phoenix granite another clue! Although I have to remark that Janet Leigh rocks ! Heard what she told her boyfriend? ‘I’ll lick the stamps’ Imagine what she would have said if he was sending granite rocks by mail ? At ease Ed. Turn on the chillers. |
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Post by mohs on Mar 28, 2015 12:23:08 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2015 23:20:33 GMT -5
"J Price tumble-eluxir, just add one teaspoon per pound of stone. Instant slurry, no waiting. Improves tumble quality instantly. Get yourself a tub now. $15 / quart includes postage".
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 28, 2015 23:37:48 GMT -5
Recipes from James,call BR45,ask for Junior Samples.......................James those are looking great!
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Post by MrP on Mar 29, 2015 7:06:46 GMT -5
Recipes from James,call BR45,ask for Junior Samples.......................James those are looking great!
BR-549 I watched 1 or 2 shows...............................................MrP
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 29, 2015 7:56:11 GMT -5
Over the course of 22 years over 500-1000 cubic yards if Georgia clay has been removed from this property as planting soil for aquatic plants.
Three large greenhouses and two barns sit on the excavation sites as terraces were created by the removal of the clay.
I have tested the clay with 4-5 other store bought aquatic soils and there is no comparison in it's ability to grow fine aquatic plants.
Our clay is loaded with micro-nutrients and minerals that other bagged soils can not match.
Bagging clay is a difficult process, does not work in automatic machines because it has to be kept dry, so no one ever attempts to bag it.
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