valard
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2003
Posts: 13
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Post by valard on Oct 12, 2003 22:11:09 GMT -5
I have been tumbling rocks successfully for a couple of years now. I mainly tumble Brazilian Agate, and petrified wood. I use plastic pellets in the polish and cleaning (with Ivory soap) steps at the end of the process. I find it to be a time consuming hassle to deal with the pellets, which I try to reuse a few times. I wonder if anyone has hit upon a simple method of separating the rocks from the pellets, preserving the pellet/polish and pellet/soap mixtures?
BTW, my project with these polished rocks is to cover the area between the potted plants in our atrium, which is in the center of our home, bordered by the kitchen, dining room, living room and study. It is the first thing you see when you walk in our front door. I am about 1/2 done with the project, after about two years. It is looking great, and we get lots of compliments from guests. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
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Post by Original Admin on Oct 13, 2003 1:41:22 GMT -5
Hi Valard, welcome to the board.
Yes - plastic pellets mixed in with the stone is fiddly and time consuming.
Absolutely the best way I find to separate them out is as follows.
Place the stones and pellets together in a bucket of water - stir your hand through the stones at the bottom to let all the trapped ones free. The stones sink, the pellets float - simply scoop the pellets from the surface with a sieve. Job done.
Hope this helps. It means spending 1 minute separating instead of 10 mins.
Andrew
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Post by docone31 on Oct 13, 2003 7:45:27 GMT -5
That is going to be one beautiful entryway. Andy, thanks for the tip, when I resort to using pellets that will be one of the things I do. It makes sense. I have not used pellets yet however some stones do seem to indicate the need.
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mrflake
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2003
Posts: 58
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Post by mrflake on Oct 13, 2003 10:43:56 GMT -5
just a bit to add to Andy's method, pour the tumbler of rocks/pellets and polish into a sieve (NOT aluminium, it marks the stones!) held over the bucket, rinse once, then put rocks and clean water into a bucket and do as Andy suggests. The reason for me using the first step is to recover the oxide polish, let the water in the first bucket stand until the oxide has settled then pour off the amount equal to the rinse water, stir the rest up to mix the oxide in again and pour it back in the tumbler, remove the floating pellets from the other bucket and add them as well. Adds a couple more minutes on but if you are tight like me it saves a bit more money. cheers.
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Post by Noosh9057 on Dec 1, 2003 18:45:45 GMT -5
This info will be help full.
Thanks
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