2026 Rock Tumbling Contest (Part 9): An Old Friend Returns

It’s time to clean out week 8 of stage 1 for the 2026 Worldwide Rock Tumbling Contest! I'm back from vacation, but before the cleanout begins, I have a confession: I couldn't leave well enough alone. I’m taking a risk (because I have used it exactly twice so far) and using my new Highland Park trim saw to "fix" a rock that I had already moved to Stage 2. We're also doing a full inspection of the Dead Camel Jasper to see what is actually ready for the next grit and what needs some manual Dremel work to save. On that note, I've included a quick look at some Dremel work after a few folks asked me for a video of that. *More of This Batch* Part 8: https://youtu.be/xeF9lNIBtCM Part 10: https://youtu.be/wfGo3jSO4Nw *In This Video* - The Sawing Risk: Using the Highland Park trim saw to "rescue" a rock with a back-side crack. [00:38] - Sawing Results: Inspecting the two new pieces created from the trim. [03:54] - Week 8 Clean Out: Checking the progress of the "Long Boy" and other big chunks. [06:00] - The Media Warning: Why adding ceramics to Stage 1 makes cleanouts a "sorting nightmare." [08:45] - Stage 2 Graduates: A look at the batch of stones that are officially moving on. [09:23] - Dremel Repairs: Manual grinding to chase down pinholes and stubborn "hips." [11:30] *Join the Fun* Feather River Lapidary & Mineral Society: https://www.featherriverrocks.org/ *Equipment* - Rotary Tumbler: Dual 3lb Central Machinery tumbler from Harbor Freight - Stage 1 Grit: 60/90 Silicon Carbide from The Rock Shed - 20 Mule Team Borax - Ceramic Media: 3/4" Large Ceramic Cylinders Subscribe to follow my progress in the 2026 Worldwide Rock Tumbling Contest! #RockTumbling #FRLMS #Jasper #Lapidary #RockHounding #Stage2 #Geology More updates and past batches at https://www.instagram.com/eyetumbleforya