Polishing Petoskeys: Mistakes Were Made

I tumbled Petoskey stones and other fossils in a rotary tumbler as an experiment. I had some successes and some failures. I used different grits including a corn cob medium to do the sanding and then the polishing. Watch and see the results. #polishing #rockhounding #greatlakes #fossils #petoskey #favosites #tumbling #tumbler #polishing #chaincoral #deathplate

[@debbieiiams8159]

I enjoyed this video very much, as well as your other videos I’ve seen. I relate to things working out, or not. That’s how it works for me…Thanks for a good video!

[@timtalksaboutrocks....most6644]

I feel like I have a lot to learn and it seems like there is a friendly community in rockhounding. Thanks for watching and for your comment.

[@upnorthadventureswithccc]

What a interesting process ! I have tried the dry polishing method on some softer rocks in the past. Soft rocks are so tricky and hard to deal with. I think yours turned out pretty nice 👍😊

[@timtalksaboutrocks....most6644]

Thanks. Half of the fossils turned out good and the other half I think need a bit more attention. I have been watching your videos on slag glass trying to learn from you and others so I can polish some Leland Blue. That is my next project.

[@upnorthadventureswithccc]

@@timtalksaboutrocks....most6644 Tim I hav had the best success with slag glass when I tumble it with it's self only. No other rocks added to the barrel except ceramic media if needed as filler. I hope to see a video of your tumble glass slag in the future :)

[@timtalksaboutrocks....most6644]

@@upnorthadventureswithccc Good advice about sticking with slag glass only. I will heed your warning. I don't like to buy stuff, so I don't have ceramic media. I will be trying some other things.😁

[@upnorthadventureswithccc]

@@timtalksaboutrocks....most6644 I am with you not wanting to buy things. We have so much out there for free so why not keep it that way :)

[@mr.ramjangles5165]

I have lithostrotionella I found in West Virginia, which is fossilized sea coral. I would love to tumble it to look like petosky stones, but the divots in the polyps are deep. I’ve tumbled it in stage 1 for 2 weeks with little change. Should I tumble it for a month or try to sand it down by hand, then tumble? Thanks in advance!

[@jaspercats]

Rub some of the others with mineral oil .