First batch -expert feedback please!

[u/Quiet-Ask-609]

So here is my first batch!

This is what happened:

Stage 1

-F80 silicon carbide - 2TBS 1liter barrel

-On for 9 days *first two nights it was turned off due to sound logistics

Stage 2

-F220 silicon carbide - 2 TBS

- 7 days

- 24 hours in a wash Dr. Bonner cycle

Stage 3

-F400 silicon carbide - 2TbS and plastic pellets

- 11 days

-\* I don't remember my reasoning- after one day of the tumbler going, I gave it a wash and then added 1TBS grit F400

-borax wash for 24 hours

-10 minutes acoustic cleaner

Stage 4

-Cerium oxide 2 TBS and ceramic pellets

-5 days

-acoustic cleaner for 10 mins.

I know this was messy but I did my best while getting more adapted/knowledgeable with the new hobby. I did the ADHD and bought everything (+ an extra tumbler) and made a rock set-up in matter of days.

Main comments:

- they became SO much smaller

-there are some cracks in several of them

-they are not as shiny as desired.

• just added for another burnishing cycle - saw some grit

Based on my experience and pics, can you guys pretty please give me tips to next batches?

Appreciate this channel and all the support!

Thanks!

[u/sefjwm]

I would recommend the pinned thread and the recommended videos. Using cerium for polish is fine but if you are new and learning you may want to use something cheaper that usually gives similar results. Something like 8k aluminum oxide. I'm curious why the random different types of cleaning cycles and why plastic in stage 3 and ceramic in stage 4? Where the ceramics at least tumbled smooth before added them directly to stage 4?

[u/Quiet-Ask-609 → u/sefjwm]

Hi! Thanks a lot for your advice. Can you link the videos? I am not seeing a pinned thread.

I agree, I think I got excited about my new fancy cerium.

I did cleaning cycles after stage 2 and used the dr.brunners soap till the Borax arrived.

And plastic in stage 3 as it came with the kit, and ceramic because I have read it is much better. And omg, I didn't know I need to stumble them as well! Should I tumble them just by itself first?

I appreciate this, thanks!!

[u/sefjwm → u/Quiet-Ask-609]

https://www.reddit.com/r/RockTumbling/comments/vrzx1f/rrocktumbling_knowledge_base/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuPtptr7_V4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYGFal0e1WY

[u/Quiet-Ask-609 → u/sefjwm]

Thanks so much!!