mondoc11
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2020
Posts: 1
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Post by mondoc11 on Feb 10, 2020 18:52:17 GMT -5
Hi! I'm fairly new to tumbling. I just opened up my second phase of tumbling and the grit was foamy, and many of the rocks seen to have grit embedded in them. Some of the rocks have slight cracks and the grit is now stuck. I know I can't move them to the next phase like that. Any suggestions?? Or are they gone for by now?
Also, why did my rocks crack?
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Post by knave on Feb 10, 2020 19:06:31 GMT -5
Welcome to this forum , from frigid Wisconsin. The problem you describe is very common especially for folks that are just starting out. The instructions that come with the tumbler probably say 1 week in first stage. Good job catching the issue by the 2nd stage.
To get smooth polished rocks you have to do stage 1 for several weeks until the rocks are nearly all free of pits to trap grit. Check out the rock tumbling section here as well. Good luck! Evan
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,340
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Post by quartz on Feb 10, 2020 23:06:53 GMT -5
Your rocks probably didn't crack during the process, likely already were cracked and the tumbling maybe opened them a bit, but really showed them off. No harm in running them some more to grind the cracks down some at least, using the same roughing grit, and the trapped grit will fall out.
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Feb 11, 2020 20:41:52 GMT -5
A book that might help you for successful tumbling and is a good guide to tumbling in all its phases is "Modern Rock Tumbling". rocktumbler.com/book.shtmlYour problem is very common. Stage 1 does 95% of the work and from my experience can go for weeks before the rocks are ready for stage 2. I struggled with the same problem when I first started tumbling years ago. I now tumble stage 1 until the rocks are well shaped and have no cracks, pits, etc. The only exception to this may be a rock with unusual patterns and colored that I can live with if it has a few dings.
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MommaGem
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2019
Posts: 312
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Post by MommaGem on Feb 12, 2020 9:11:43 GMT -5
Stage 1 is where we all definitely develop the art of patience. Some of my harder jasper batches spent 5 weeks in course to get a nice shape and 95% of the cracks out of them. Then stages 2 through polish seem like a breeze. Hang in there and I look forward to hearing about your progress!
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