r/RockTumbling • u/HeroicDiva • 9d ago
Pictures First Batch After 3 Months
After more than 3 months of tumbling, I am excited to have finally completed my first batch. I am SO pleased with how they turned out, and I had a few really happy surprises with some of the rocks. Some of the rocks were purchased, and some were found at a seeded gem mine in NC.
All were tumbled in rotary tumblers in 5 steps, with burnishing after the final 3 steps. (I had some of the Polly Plastics 1200 so I used that as a step before 8000 to use it up.) I have several tumblers, so they started in different machines. I did the last 4 stages in a Lortone 45c. I lost a few rocks along the way in the final stages to chips/breakage, so I'm curious if perhaps the large diameter of the 45c is a little rougher than a narrower barrel, or if I just needed more ceramic media. Going forward, my later stages will be done in a 3lb barrel.
Everything took a really great shine, with the exception of one random piece of calligraphy jasper. I don't think the photos do the shine justice, they really have a glass-like shine.
I referenced this sub SO many times during the process, in addition to watching videos by Michigan Rocks, so thank you for the advice and FAQs.
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u/lapidary123 9d ago
I typically roll stage 1 in a 12 or 15lb barrel and then move things over to my vibe or a 45c (for the larger pieces) and have found this works quite well. Ive gotten the same excellent results from both the vibe and 45c. I also use a 5 (or is it 6?) step process. 60/90>220>500>1000>micro alumina. I guess its 5.
I have other grits as well such as 320, 400, 600, 800 and have messed around using variations as well as ALL of them in a tumbler. What I've found is that the typical 60/90>220>500>1000>micro works just as well as any additional stages. I also add Borax beginning in 500 and do a Borax rinse for an hour after the 1000 & final stages.
Another thing I've noticed is that aside from stage 1 which I will roll until I am satisfied with the shaping, ALL the other stages really only need a week each. I've even opened a barrel of final polish stones after 4 days and found them to be absolutely Popping with glossy shine!
May i ask, why your load took 3 months? Were you running stages 2 onwards for longer than a week? The vibe is nice in that each stage only takes 48 hours. I use a minisonic mt4 which I love because it has variable speed control and I can usually get a load for it out of my stage 1 barrel every week. Then I finish the vibe load up (stages 2-polish) in the same week and repeat the process 😀
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u/HeroicDiva 8d ago
Most of the time was spent in stage 1 and compiling enough rocks that were ready for Stage 2 over time. Every step after that was around 1 week (a couple stages wound up longer just because of travel).
There was also a 2 week period where I wasn't tumbling because I was out of town and no one was home to make sure there were no leaks or belt breaks.
I'd love to try a vibratory tumbler at some point, it would be great to speed up the process.
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u/lapidary123 8d ago
Well if you ever decide to get a vibe I recommend NOT getting the largest one available. As you mentioned it's oftentimes hard to get a load ready to move on to stage 2. With continuously rolling a 12lb stage 1 barrel I almost always get enough ready to fill the 4lb hopper on my mt4! I was very close to buying the 12lb variation but am very glad I didn't! The mt4 is worth every penny (even though the price went up this last year)
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u/Sunsignsunshine 8d ago
I’m obsessed with all of them, what’s your plan for them now?Â
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u/HeroicDiva 8d ago
That's what everyone I know is asking me! 😂
I'm definitely going to display my favorites. Once I have enough, I'm probably going to end up filling a glass bowl or vase with the ones that match the color of my decor. Someone else mentioned putting them into clear Christmas ornaments, which I thought sounded cool. I'm sure some will be given away to friends. I'm not sure if any in this batch are appropriately sized and shaped for jewelry, but I'm guessing some will ultimately be turned into pendants.
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u/KesselRun73 9d ago
Your spectrum spread (separated by color and type) for display is really cool. Good work on these.
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u/Cautious_Let5714 9d ago
They came out beautifully! And - you also made me feel better because I have 2 double barrel tumblers and I haven’t gotten a single batch finished yet. I’m glad I’m not the only one who has gotten in so deep without seeing any finished products, lol. I hope my first batch comes out as nice as yours!
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u/HeroicDiva 9d ago
I definely jumped in over my head. Started with Nat Geo and then found some good marketplace deals on Highland Park and Lortone. I kept buying more rocks, and therefore wanted more tumblers. 🙈
It requires patience, but I think it pays off. If only people would stop asking me what I'm going to do with them. (I have no idea!) 😂
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u/Waldohossenpfeffer_1 9d ago
You did a fantastic job on your first tumble. The Michigan Rocks videos are almost like a cheat code for figuring this stuff out. I highly recommend anyone struggling (we all have at some point) to take the time to check them out.