Uriah
starting to shine!
Member since August 2021
Posts: 38
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Post by Uriah on Aug 15, 2021 17:25:15 GMT -5
Hey folks! Just wanted to say hello. I figured I'd need some advice during my journey into rock tumbling etc. I have been collecting agates for years... Mostly from the Puget Sound in NW Washington. Always wanted a tumbler, but never bought one for myself. This past week my wife got me one for my anniversary. I'm excited to get going.
I started my first batch of rocks with a rock kit off Amazon just to get the feel for it (before i try my precious Agates)...
First question: What should the rocks look like after first coarse run?
Second Question: How important is it to do rocks of similar sizes?
Can't wait to get to know you all better!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Aug 15, 2021 17:45:17 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona! Not a tumbler, myself, but there are lots of experts here.
If I may, I would suggest you post your tumbling questions on the Rock Tumbling board where more people are apt to see them and give you good advice. Happy tumbling!
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Uriah
starting to shine!
Member since August 2021
Posts: 38
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Post by Uriah on Aug 15, 2021 17:57:54 GMT -5
Thanks!
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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 15, 2021 18:15:33 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! I definitely recommend perusing the tumbling board (where Robin gave you the link). There's some great information. Your results with the rock kit off Amazon is going to be hit or miss. Generally, those rocks aren't "the best", so don't judge your future results off this first one if it doesn't turn out. With regards to what the rocks should look like after stage one...that's a completely personal preference. Some will grind them through stage one until there are NO flaws whatsoever in the rock. Others may let some flaws through stage one in order to keep certain aspects of the rock intact, rather than grinding them away. Rocks having the same hardness is more important to the same size. Rocks differing in hardness grind at different rates. Without tumbling media, excessively large rocks can damage the smaller rocks though... Welcome to the rabbit hole...there will be a learning process.
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Uriah
starting to shine!
Member since August 2021
Posts: 38
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Post by Uriah on Aug 15, 2021 20:22:31 GMT -5
Thank You! I appreciate the feedback. I can't wait to dive in.
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catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Post by catskillrocks on Aug 15, 2021 20:27:33 GMT -5
Welcome from Western New York. You've already received some good advice, good luck with your new equipment.
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 15, 2021 20:44:33 GMT -5
Welcome! Just run it until they are very round and smooth. I look forward to seeing some of your tumbles! If you have the dan and darci kit or the national geographic kit, you might not have great results. Lots of people here use the rockshed's grit and polish.
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electrocutus
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2020
Posts: 331
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Post by electrocutus on Aug 16, 2021 9:09:38 GMT -5
For the first stage it's more of a personal preference. I go by the general "feel" of the rocks. When they look like they have a good smooth shape with few imperfections left, I go to stage 2. Some people prefer completely rounded stones with no imperfections left, and that can take a long time depending on the rock. I personally like to keep irregular shapes as long as they are smooth and don't have big imperfections left (that, and also because I am still working on my patience skills :-) ). For rocks that I picked myself, it helps me remember where they came from when their shapes are kept irregular.
Good luck! Post images when you get your first agates done.
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