Do you ever tumble obsidian? I have never worked it on wheels, but I have had pretty good luck tumbling it. I haven’t tried it in a rotary tumbler (except for the first stage), I do it in my Lot-O vibratory tumbler. I tend do the opposite as you with fractures. I grind the heck out of them and lose a lot of volume in order to remove as many fractures as possible. I appreciate the explanation on how to cut obsidian properly.
Howdy! Always a pleasure to see you leave a comment! You always do such beautiful work. I haven't really tumbled myself except for once and I don't count that since it was a cheap tumbler 20 years ago in my teen years and I never got to the polish stage. I have several tumblers that I do want to give it a shot with and try obsidian. I should also invest in a lot of tumbler if I end up liking it. Usually I do try and remove as much of the imperfections as I can but it really varies piece by piece and if it's for me or not. These pieces they all went pretty deep and I didn't want to risk damaging the pieces since they weren't mine to break. Like that once piece of fire obsidian I did that ended up being two pieces, it pained me to cut a portion off of it because of a fracture. It just kept going 💀 Sorry for the long response but yeah, working on the wheels can be hit or miss and can sometimes take too long. Plus, the bigger the piece, the harder it gets because of all the surface areas. Much smaller pieces are easier to work.
@@WorldofRockhounds If you get a tumbler and want to do obsidian, a vibratory tumbler is the way to go. Rotary tumbling obsidian requires very long run times from what I've heard. I have never tried it. rockhoundlounge.com/yabbfiles/Attachments/tumbling_obsidian.pdf
My yard is covered in obsidian rocks, we’ve collected a bucket from just walking abound but as I dig in areas for yard work and repair I find handfuls up to a ft deep, I’m thinking of getting one shaped for a ring for my partner.
It looks great, even with the fractures. I found your channel because I have a big piece of Obsidian that I want to polish on my Cab6. Thank you for the instructional video and you have gained a subscriber today! 😁
I thought that they were beautiful. Great job! Does the first piece you showed have pinfire? It looks like it. At 6:27 somewhat by your thumbs. Do some obsidians have pinfire?
Put this video on save buddy..... Great pointers... Thumbs up.. Will stop by one of these days, so we can talk shop and look at your piles of rock..LOL May I share this to my rock F/B site Kyle? The members will love this video..... I think you belong to it, if not you will get an invite... Than you can post your videos on the site when you want too...
PS: My honest opinion, I would rather work on Obsidian than any other materials out there. I've learned how to read it in the rough, how to cut it, the tumbling of it (To me the hardest part of working Obsidian), the collecting and hounding it, now to learn the talents you have on polishing Obsidian on the wheels.. It's like watching a great movie on the big screen with a huge bucket of popcorn and nothing else exists, just you and that piece of Obsidian.... Let the magic begin!!!
Michael, you are welcome to share any of my videos anywhere you'd like...free knowledge for all :) And I'd be happy having you over here at the shop! For me, it's when it comes time for polish and you wipe away the polish to reveal the crisp black shine of the stone. Sure sometimes you have to go back and redo a step but going from a dull finish to a shine is just a fantastic experience.
@@WorldofRockhounds I have a variety of big chunks of silver banded and mahogany from Rogue. I also have a big box that I haven't opened yet from ThisRocks21 in Nevada. I'm thinking about trying my hand at knapping.
@@RagnarRocks DO IT, try polishing and knapping. Just like Kyle said, start on a piece that you won't feel bad about 'killing'. Once you get the hang of it, Obsidian may become a favorite (I sure was beguiled by it's beauty and gorgeous polish).
I love obsidian and I thought those were beautiful. I'm curious though, do any little pieces of glass get on your fingers while you were working the wheel?
I don't think I've ever had any little pieces get stuck in my fingers. If it ever were to happen, it would be when I go to clean up after using the 80 grit wheel because it can remove larger chunks and the pieces end up in the drain pan. But I'm also super careful around the stuff. :)
This was a great video. I do have a question about little dings and fractures. Does it work to use a dremel to get some of the surface cracks out before hand, not specifically obsidian, just in general? I have been meaning to try but haven't yet.
That's a good question. It honestly depends on the stone. Sometimes it might seem like just a little crack but sometimes it can open up to be deeper than expected. You can always try and see what happens! With those pieces, I could have easily ground down more to get rid of some of the imperfections but I could see how far they went in and knew it would cause loss of additional material that I didn't want to waste. Also, if do want to grind down with a dremel, make sure that you make the surrounding surface areas flush with the area that you are working, otherwise you will get an uneven finished product. However, if you are going for a more "contoured" artsy piece...then absolutely go for it. Honestly, every artist is different and it never hurts to play around with random pieces to try out a technique before applying it to what you actually want to work.
That's a good question. Obsidian can be fragile considering that it is a natural volcanic glass. You could probably make some really nice countertops out of it but I'd recommend having soft coasters on anything that is placed on it to prevent scratching. Fireplace, probably where it isn't exposed to heat to avoid breaking/fracturing from getting too hot. A thick enough piece of obsidian with the edges rounded can be somewhat durable but I would still be very careful.
Hola I am in México city how do I get my fingers around a couple of 10cm obsidian cube with a rough polish but most important feature being the most accurate simetry?
If you decide to get a sphere making machine let me know. I would be willing to send you a chunk of obsidian to cut up. It might make for a great video.
This is an excellent video, I have an abundance of obsidian gifted to me by @thisrocks21. I'm going to be trying my best to get some done after my trip, this video just kicked me in the butt to get MOVING!!..you do incredible word bud!!!..and now I also learned I've been cutting obsidian totally the WRONG way all along!!.. thank you for explaining how to cut this stuff!!..you saved alot of obsidian from the graveyard by my stupidity
I find that its easier to test out the grits on discarded pieces of obsidian or pieces that hold no value to you and that way you can get an idea of what the outcome of each sanding stage will give you. I always think to myself "know your wheels". That's why I kept my genie even though the wheels are super worn. Helps get me a better finish *sometimes*
@@WorldofRockhounds I've kept all my worn wheels for that purpose. I've most definitely have learned what wheels work best for what,.. especially the in-between ones I call them..like the 140 wheel,240 etc. I can definitely tell the cheaper wheels do not last as long as per say,the Nova wheels, that being said, the old cliche comes into play,you get what you pay for. My main thing now tho is trying different cutting techniques on my obsidian. I have magnificent rainbow and blue sheen to work with, along with plenty of silver and gold...sure would like some fire one day!!!
Another job well done. Your customers should be very happy. Be safe and stay healthy 😷⚒
These turned out amazing, you did a fantastic job. I loved watching from start to finish.
Thank you for that :)
Great information on the cutting and polishing of the Obsidian! Great words of wisdom at the end especially. Gorgeous pieces, rock on!
Thank you! :D
Rock on!!!
Do you ever tumble obsidian? I have never worked it on wheels, but I have had pretty good luck tumbling it. I haven’t tried it in a rotary tumbler (except for the first stage), I do it in my Lot-O vibratory tumbler. I tend do the opposite as you with fractures. I grind the heck out of them and lose a lot of volume in order to remove as many fractures as possible. I appreciate the explanation on how to cut obsidian properly.
Howdy! Always a pleasure to see you leave a comment!
You always do such beautiful work.
I haven't really tumbled myself except for once and I don't count that since it was a cheap tumbler 20 years ago in my teen years and I never got to the polish stage.
I have several tumblers that I do want to give it a shot with and try obsidian.
I should also invest in a lot of tumbler if I end up liking it.
Usually I do try and remove as much of the imperfections as I can but it really varies piece by piece and if it's for me or not. These pieces they all went pretty deep and I didn't want to risk damaging the pieces since they weren't mine to break.
Like that once piece of fire obsidian I did that ended up being two pieces, it pained me to cut a portion off of it because of a fracture. It just kept going 💀
Sorry for the long response but yeah, working on the wheels can be hit or miss and can sometimes take too long.
Plus, the bigger the piece, the harder it gets because of all the surface areas.
Much smaller pieces are easier to work.
@@WorldofRockhounds If you get a tumbler and want to do obsidian, a vibratory tumbler is the way to go. Rotary tumbling obsidian requires very long run times from what I've heard. I have never tried it.
rockhoundlounge.com/yabbfiles/Attachments/tumbling_obsidian.pdf
My yard is covered in obsidian rocks, we’ve collected a bucket from just walking abound but as I dig in areas for yard work and repair I find handfuls up to a ft deep, I’m thinking of getting one shaped for a ring for my partner.
Super beautiful pieces, very well polished, great job👍
6:25 stunning
Thank you very much!
Great pieces. A video on cutting obsidian please.
I will add it to the list :)
Beautiful job.
Thank you so much 😀
Beautiful job!!!! My God the shine is amazing!!
thank you!
Perfect it’s all perspective. It’s perfect when it has been created just as it is☺️
Those have some nice color.
Yes they do!
Those are awesome! Well done on the polishing I’m loving those so much.
Thank you! I'm so happy that they turned out nice!
It looks great, even with the fractures. I found your channel because I have a big piece of Obsidian that I want to polish on my Cab6. Thank you for the instructional video and you have gained a subscriber today! 😁
Thank you! and welcome to the channel! I hope that my videos will help you out, even in the slightest :)
Great pieces!!
Nice Job my friend!!
Thank you kindly
I thought that they were beautiful. Great job! Does the first piece you showed have pinfire? It looks like it. At 6:27 somewhat by your thumbs. Do some obsidians have pinfire?
Thank you and no fire in this pieces :)
There are some goldsheens that can have mini fire layers but not enough to try and extract.
Nice rocks!
Thank you!
Put this video on save buddy..... Great pointers... Thumbs up.. Will stop by one of these days, so we can talk shop and look at your piles of rock..LOL
May I share this to my rock F/B site Kyle? The members will love this video..... I think you belong to it, if not you will get an invite... Than you can post your videos on the site when you want too...
PS: My honest opinion, I would rather work on Obsidian than any other materials out there. I've learned how to read it in the rough, how to cut it, the tumbling of it (To me the hardest part of working Obsidian), the collecting and hounding it, now to learn the talents you have on polishing Obsidian on the wheels..
It's like watching a great movie on the big screen with a huge bucket of popcorn and nothing else exists, just you and that piece of Obsidian.... Let the magic begin!!!
Michael, you are welcome to share any of my videos anywhere you'd like...free knowledge for all :)
And I'd be happy having you over here at the shop!
For me, it's when it comes time for polish and you wipe away the polish to reveal the crisp black shine of the stone. Sure sometimes you have to go back and redo a step but going from a dull finish to a shine is just a fantastic experience.
Obsidian isn’t really my jam, but I love the work you do. Great video thanks😎
Thank you for the compliment!
👉🤠👉
Nice Job! I'm still too chicken to work with my obsidian.
How much obsidian do you have?
Do what I did when i first started and start with a piece you have no attachment to and use it for practice. 🤠
@@WorldofRockhounds I have a variety of big chunks of silver banded and mahogany from Rogue. I also have a big box that I haven't opened yet from ThisRocks21 in Nevada. I'm thinking about trying my hand at knapping.
@@RagnarRocks DO IT, try polishing and knapping. Just like Kyle said, start on a piece that you won't feel bad about 'killing'. Once you get the hang of it, Obsidian may become a favorite (I sure was beguiled by it's beauty and gorgeous polish).
I love obsidian and I thought those were beautiful. I'm curious though, do any little pieces of glass get on your fingers while you were working the wheel?
I don't think I've ever had any little pieces get stuck in my fingers.
If it ever were to happen, it would be when I go to clean up after using the 80 grit wheel because it can remove larger chunks and the pieces end up in the drain pan.
But I'm also super careful around the stuff. :)
This was a great video. I do have a question about little dings and fractures. Does it work to use a dremel to get some of the surface cracks out before hand, not specifically obsidian, just in general? I have been meaning to try but haven't yet.
That's a good question. It honestly depends on the stone. Sometimes it might seem like just a little crack but sometimes it can open up to be deeper than expected.
You can always try and see what happens!
With those pieces, I could have easily ground down more to get rid of some of the imperfections but I could see how far they went in and knew it would cause loss of additional material that I didn't want to waste.
Also, if do want to grind down with a dremel, make sure that you make the surrounding surface areas flush with the area that you are working, otherwise you will get an uneven finished product.
However, if you are going for a more "contoured" artsy piece...then absolutely go for it.
Honestly, every artist is different and it never hurts to play around with random pieces to try out a technique before applying it to what you actually want to work.
@@WorldofRockhounds thank you that makes sense.
How fragile is obsidian? Is it possible to make countertops out of it or a fireplace or even mirrored bedroom furniture?
That's a good question. Obsidian can be fragile considering that it is a natural volcanic glass. You could probably make some really nice countertops out of it but I'd recommend having soft coasters on anything that is placed on it to prevent scratching. Fireplace, probably where it isn't exposed to heat to avoid breaking/fracturing from getting too hot.
A thick enough piece of obsidian with the edges rounded can be somewhat durable but I would still be very careful.
@@WorldofRockhounds Oh really. Thanks! Do you think a layer of resin would help protect it from the heat or scratches as a countertop?
How would I become a customer I have a few great pieces that id love to be beautified
What is the best buffing compound for the final polishing step?
I use Gordon's glass company cerium oxide
@@WorldofRockhounds Thanks. I'm new to the hobbie. What's the best material for a buffing wheel?
Hola
I am in México city
how do I get my fingers around a couple of 10cm obsidian cube with a rough polish but most important feature being the most accurate simetry?
I have about 50 tons or so of fire obsidian
That's alot!
If you decide to get a sphere making machine let me know. I would be willing to send you a chunk of obsidian to cut up. It might make for a great video.
I considered getting one at one point but I also know they require lots of precise cuts lol so I'm still up in the air about getting one.
Very nice, you're the obsidian whisperer
haha thank you!
have any large pieces
This is an excellent video, I have an abundance of obsidian gifted to me by @thisrocks21. I'm going to be trying my best to get some done after my trip, this video just kicked me in the butt to get MOVING!!..you do incredible word bud!!!..and now I also learned I've been cutting obsidian totally the WRONG way all along!!.. thank you for explaining how to cut this stuff!!..you saved alot of obsidian from the graveyard by my stupidity
I find that its easier to test out the grits on discarded pieces of obsidian or pieces that hold no value to you and that way you can get an idea of what the outcome of each sanding stage will give you.
I always think to myself "know your wheels". That's why I kept my genie even though the wheels are super worn. Helps get me a better finish *sometimes*
@@WorldofRockhounds I've kept all my worn wheels for that purpose. I've most definitely have learned what wheels work best for what,.. especially the in-between ones I call them..like the 140 wheel,240 etc.
I can definitely tell the cheaper wheels do not last as long as per say,the Nova wheels, that being said, the old cliche comes into play,you get what you pay for. My main thing now tho is trying different cutting techniques on my obsidian. I have magnificent rainbow and blue sheen to work with, along with plenty of silver and gold...sure would like some fire one day!!!
I’m trying to market it if you know anyone I’ll sell it 7 dollars a pound up to 100 pounds and 4 dollars a pound 100 pounds and over
Unfortunately I don't know anyone in the market for it!