leilanismith
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2021
Posts: 6
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Post by leilanismith on Aug 16, 2021 11:47:34 GMT -5
Hi everyone! I am a jeweler/metalsmith hobbyist and glad to be here! I just returned from a vacation to the Cambria area where I picked up quite a few rocks on the beach. I have never tumbled rocks before as I generally buy cabochons at the GemFaire and I am looking for help. I have a Harbor Freight 3lb tumbler and I just ordered a beginning set of grits from the Rock Shed. I've watched several videos so I think I understand the mechanics? Here is my question: The rocks I picked up are small, between 3/8 -inch and 1-inch. They are already shaped into ovals and somewhat shiny. They are primarily jade and jasper. I don't really have that many, maybe just enough for one tumbler full. I picked up stones that I thought were the perfect size and shape for setting not realizing that I would lose mass during the tumble. My goal would be to minimize size loss and maximize shine. So how long would you tumble them at each grit? Thank you for your help!
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 16, 2021 12:03:00 GMT -5
Hi everyone! I am a jeweler/metalsmith hobbyist and glad to be here! I just returned from a vacation to the Cambria area where I picked up quite a few rocks on the beach. I have never tumbled rocks before as I generally buy cabochons at the GemFaire and I am looking for help. I have a Harbor Freight 3lb tumbler and I just ordered a beginning set of grits from the Rock Shed. I've watched several videos so I think I understand the mechanics? Here is my question: The rocks I picked up are small, between 3/8 -inch and 1-inch. They are already shaped into ovals and somewhat shiny. They are primarily jade and jasper. I don't really have that many, maybe just enough for one tumbler full. I picked up stones that I thought were the perfect size and shape for setting not realizing that I would lose mass during the tumble. My goal would be to minimize size loss and maximize shine. So how long would you tumble them at each grit? Thank you for your help! Welcome to the forum! I would tumble them for about 1 week in each stage but, if it is medium/high value material, I would not use it as your first tumble. Start with something like agates or jasper. I personally would recommend not tumbling the jade yet. I think it would become troublesome for you shine wise.
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 16, 2021 12:04:19 GMT -5
I just returned from California too! What type of rocks did you find there? They had some pretty good shops near where I stayed.
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leilanismith
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2021
Posts: 6
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Post by leilanismith on Aug 16, 2021 13:02:04 GMT -5
I was in the Cambria area looking for sea glass on local beaches. Didn't find much glass but did find some lovely rocks!
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 16, 2021 14:53:08 GMT -5
I was in the Cambria area looking for sea glass on local beaches. Didn't find much glass but did find some lovely rocks! I found lots too. Lots as in "why did the airline let me take them on" lots. 😂 I probably collected about five pounds and purchased maybe two pounds. I was surprised that I didn't see any sea glass as well.
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Post by Peruano on Aug 16, 2021 15:48:15 GMT -5
I'm biased, but I would eliminate the rotary and go for a vibe for the entire process. You don't need shaping, you need smoothing and polish. I've had good success tumbling beach cobble in a Raytech Vibe 5 and or Mini-sonic. You will be surprised what you can produce in 5 - 7 days.
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leilanismith
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2021
Posts: 6
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Post by leilanismith on Aug 16, 2021 16:04:08 GMT -5
I was going with the rotary because that's what I own and I have used it before to polish metal jewelry! But I also do have a used vibe that a friend gave me. It's a Dillon Precision CV-75 Vibratory Cartridge Case Cleaner that I have never even plugged in. Would this work? Does it use grit like the rotary or something else entirely?
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 16, 2021 16:32:54 GMT -5
I was going with the rotary because that's what I own and I have used it before to polish metal jewelry! But I also do have a used vibe that a friend gave me. It's a Dillon Precision CV-75 Vibratory Cartridge Case Cleaner that I have never even plugged in. Would this work? Does it use grit like the rotary or something else entirely? It might work but I've heard brass cleaners are lighter duty than tumblers made for rocks. You would use grit in a vibratory but in the brass cleaner, grit might destroy the bowl. Would you mind to post pictures?
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 16, 2021 16:35:30 GMT -5
I would also recommend a vibratory to add to the rotary. I just got my first vibratory tumbler this Saturday though. It is a mini sonic and I imagine anyone could have success with it. I have heard that vibes have a better final polish.
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stonemon
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2017
Posts: 1,024
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Post by stonemon on Aug 16, 2021 17:25:11 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum!
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leilanismith
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2021
Posts: 6
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Post by leilanismith on Aug 16, 2021 17:33:03 GMT -5
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 16, 2021 17:37:00 GMT -5
It says you can't use it wet. You could try but I'm not sure it would last beyond one run. The bowl will probably leak fast and wear out.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Aug 16, 2021 19:12:13 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona!
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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 16, 2021 20:04:55 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! I would definitely NOT use this for tumbling rocks...it's not designed for it at all...but that's just my $0.02.
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leilanismith
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2021
Posts: 6
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Post by leilanismith on Aug 17, 2021 9:52:03 GMT -5
So I guess that means I will be using my HF 3lb Rock Tumbler! There seems to be some debate as to whether I need to start at the lowest level with coarse grind grit or if I can start a step higher. So here is my question again: The rocks I picked up are small, between 3/8 -inch and 1-inch. They are already shaped into ovals and somewhat shiny, naturally tumbled by the sand and ocean. They are primarily jade and jasper. I don't really have that many, maybe just enough for one tumbler full. I picked up stones that I thought were the perfect size and shape for setting not realizing that I would lose mass during the tumble. My goal would be to minimize size loss and maximize shine. So how long should I tumble them at each grit? Thank you again for your help!
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 17, 2021 11:03:58 GMT -5
So I guess that means I will be using my HF 3lb Rock Tumbler! There seems to be some debate as to whether I need to start at the lowest level with coarse grind grit or if I can start a step higher. So here is my question again: The rocks I picked up are small, between 3/8 -inch and 1-inch. They are already shaped into ovals and somewhat shiny, naturally tumbled by the sand and ocean. They are primarily jade and jasper. I don't really have that many, maybe just enough for one tumbler full. I picked up stones that I thought were the perfect size and shape for setting not realizing that I would lose mass during the tumble. My goal would be to minimize size loss and maximize shine. So how long should I tumble them at each grit? Thank you again for your help! About 1week depending on the shape. I wouldn't tumble the jade yet though. Often times the first tumble isn't going to be as shiny as you want. Once you get better you can do it but tumbling is definitely a trial and error system.
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Post by parfive on Aug 17, 2021 11:17:42 GMT -5
Tiny rocks . . .
Try a week in polish for starters. If you like what you see, give ‘em another week. If not, back up one step for a week in 500 and then polish again.
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leilanismith
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2021
Posts: 6
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Post by leilanismith on Aug 17, 2021 16:31:53 GMT -5
Thank you! That makes sense and I never would've thought of it on my own!
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Post by youp50 on Aug 28, 2021 13:12:45 GMT -5
Make your seaglass, many folks do. Break your glass and try a few days on 120 grit. Buy glass at thrift stores, be aware many of the reds are a film over clear glass. I discreetly scratch the bottom with a knife. Good greens in 7Up and Rolling Rock. If you do crockery, break the edges with a diamond file and tumbled for a hour and check, you don't want to lose the glazed surface. Reasonable diamond files available from fishing stores.
How did you do on 'moonstones'? My wife cleaned up at San Simeon last winter. A few winters ago we did fair on a agatey swirly jasper? that was toward Morro Bay. There sure were a bunch more people on the beach this past covid winter.
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