New? Come Join us Down the Rabbit Hole

[Admin]

This is an invitation to take a great trip with us into a magic Wonderland.



Come, join us down the Rabbit hole.

Starting can be fairly inexpensive, Just visit a Rock Show.





There you will meet a special group of people who have dedicated their lives to exposing and sharing the wondrous things God has provided to keep us entertained and happy on this planet. You may chose to purchase a finished stone, then learn the art of Wire Wrapping so you can wear it.

forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/board/24/wire-wrapping



Or You may chose to purchase a beautiful slab.



Now the trip begins:

You feel the need to do something with that slab - Make cabochons out of it. You need to trim out the individual shapes.



You have many choices for shapes:


The Process:


Select:


That means you have to buy some equipment. Start with a saw. There are two kinds of Trim saws. those with High table height, and those with Centered Table Height



The Centered Table Height Allows you to cut squarely into corners while trimming out Preforms, but keeps you from slicing through a long rock or slab. And they aree less often made than tile Saws, therefore more expensive.



Start with a tile saw.



they are less expensive and you can buy them at most hardware stores or Loews & Home Depot for around $100.

Next you need to Dop your stones. The old Timers just used Dop Sticks and Dop wax.
the latest version is to use Scaffold Nails with double sided tape and super glue'



After trimming excess Material away from your chosen shape, you can use the diamond edge of your saw to begin shaping the top of your cab.



Time for your second trip following the white rabbit. You need some kind of sander.



There are many choices. Expanding drums are a good choice because they contour to the stone.









Here the secret is "diminishing saw marks and scratches by sanding i direction with 220 grit until you only see 200 grit scratches, then change to 300 turn the stone 90 degrees, and sand until you only see 300 grit scratches and flat areas have all disappeared. Continue on untill no scratches remain.



Another trip down the rabbit hole.



you need a polishing unit.





Now for the big jump

You decide to buy a Slab Saw. There are many choices, and all are pricey.











but I promise you, although expensive, this is the most fun and greatest joy you will ever have.

[Admin]

Or you may chose the alternate route - find your own rocks.

Holt Canyon

And Tumble them.

Home made Toumbler.


It is a balancing act. 80% fill allows less tumbling action than 60% fill.


JamesP

Jan 17, 2021 5:27:40 GMT -7 @jamesp said:

@fuzzyb If you don't remember me for anything else please remember me for the use sticky slicky slurry during step 1 coarse grind in the rotary.

The theory is simple and effective.

By both increasing the suction(cohesive forces)and adding lubrication via a slurry additive the grinding forces between the rocks increases the grinding forces between the rocks.

How effective ?

Starting a fresh dose of SiC 30 and colloidal clay slurry having a consistency of a milk shake the SiC 30 can be completely broken down in less than 2 days verses 7 days when starting with clean water.
Because the slurry protects the rocks the rotation speed can be doubled/tripled without risk of damaging the rocks.

When speed was tripled(about 80 rpm using 6" I.D. barrel) with slurry additive used, the SiC 30 was completely broken down in 6 to 9 hours. The wear rate on the rocks followed the fast rates of SiC 30 breakdown. However a clean out and recharge of fresh SiC 30 was advisable every 24 hours.

The amp draw of the motor increased substantially due to thicker slurry and higher rotation speed.(best done with a home built tumbler with a bit more powerful motor).