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Post by Toad on Oct 2, 2004 1:39:22 GMT -5
I read somewhere on the web that the rough grind (60 grit) is not needed - just go straight to the 220 grit. Can anyone confirm this for me? Thanks.
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Post by puppie96 on Oct 2, 2004 1:44:59 GMT -5
The usual coarse grind is 100-120 or 120-220 (Raytech TV-5 sends 100-120 in the starter kit.)
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Oct 2, 2004 11:24:49 GMT -5
Hey Toad,
I am fairly new to tumbling ... but, this is what I use:
I start with 90/120 or one to two weeks (depending on how much shaping of the stones needs to be done. I recharge my bowl daily, with new grit.
I then go to 220 grit for 7 days, I recharge the bowl with new grit every other day.
Then I go to 600 for 4 or 5 days. I only use the initial charge (I do not re-charge during this stage)
When that is done, I use Tripoli as a pre-polish for 4 or 5 days, then it's off to the final polish. I have been using Aluminum Oxide with very nice results.
I am using a vibratory tumbler. It is a Gy-Roc 10 pound capacity bowl.
To kind of give you an idea ... I currently have 9 pounds of rock running. When I recharge the bowl ... I use 9 tablespoons of grit and 3/4 to 7/8 of a cup of water. If I use more water than that it really slows the process down! I think you'll find that with less water ... you achieve a much quicker and better result.
Touch base with Cookie3rocks ... she has been very helpful during my first batch. Cookie was the first to post the information about cutting the water back ... when using the vibratory tumblers ... that I am aware of. She has a viberating tumbler as well.
I hope this might have helped.
Keep us informed ...
Have a great weekend,
John
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Post by cookie3rocks on Oct 2, 2004 19:35:28 GMT -5
Hi Toad, I use 120-220 for first grind. I tried using 80 (because I had just bought 5 lbs when puppies told me it won't work in the vive) and discovered that no, (duh), it won't work. It doesn't break down the rock or itself and destroys your bowl really fast. I don't know how big your vibe is but mine is 3-5 lbs capacity and I measure grit to water by tablespoons. For a three pound load I use 4 tbls. 120-220 to 5 tbls. water (and some times "one to grow on" if the slurry was too thick). I also rince and recharge every 12-24 hrs in coarse and 600 and just let the polish run for a week, adding a bit of water every day. And I forgot to mention , in polish (and 1000 if you use that) even less water is required, you want it to form a paste on the rock. That's why adding small amounts of water daily is important, so it doesn't dry out. Puppies taught me everything I know about the vibe, she's a good one to ask. Hope that's helpful,
cookie
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Post by Toad on Oct 2, 2004 23:16:16 GMT -5
This is very helpful info. Thank you all 3.
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Post by puppie96 on Oct 3, 2004 2:19:43 GMT -5
John, I believe that you are still either using too much water or going too coarse on your grit, or both. Looking at the time frames you are setting out, your batches are taking much longer than they should. Remember, the big advantage of the vibe over barrels is speed, and you have laid out a progression that extends just about as long as a barrel run. Something's not right here. I basically follow my instruction sheet for the Raytech TV-5, which calls for 2 tsp (NOT TBSP!) of water per load of wet rocks, and 4 tsp for loads of dry rocks. I do exceed this a bit, but not by a huge amount. You need more water when you start raw rock, which will dry out in a hurry and clog the bowl. Nothing tumbles, bowl abrades, pain in the butt to clean out the bowl. I try not to start with a huge amount more, but to find time to check it in 6 hours or so and splash in a bit more. Usually I start with 100-120, although I am still experimenting, and sometimes I think that starting with 120-220 actually works better. Haven't decided yet. It's certainly a starting option. Then I go to 500 for maybe 2 days or so. Then a prepolish usually Iolox which came with Raytech starter kit. Once out of rough grind it flies. Done in a week more at most. Really. You really need to get a feel for your machine and how it operates on different types of rocks in your climate. The big thing is not to let it dry out but not to put much, if any, extra water in there to compensate. It really does take a balance and it makes a huge difference in the efficiency of the grind. Raw rock will dry out and mud up much, much more quickly that ones that have been in a couple of days, so with new stuff, check it out a lot! And maybe wash it out early. I do mine every 12 hours. Not sure that's a necessity, but I enjoy it and it doesn't hurt anything! The next 12 hours weren't going to do anything anyhow, all the grit is already gone. So that's my take on vibes for today!
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Oct 7, 2004 20:33:39 GMT -5
Hello Puppies,
I appreciate the information you forwarded to me, I am giving it a try and see what happens.
I was in the middle of my 220 grit when I got the message ... so far so good. I am in prepolish as of yesterday and I'll keep an eye on things and get back with you, when it's all done with.
Again, thank you for your help!
John
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Post by puppie96 on Oct 8, 2004 4:03:13 GMT -5
Thanks, John, I really would like to hear how your experience goes, since I am still learning about this. I believe I was one of the first kids on this particular block to get a vibe, so I had to figure out a lot of stuff on my own. So I do have opinions, and lots of them but I will say in my own defense that I can back them up from experience. I have truly made every mistake in the book by now, especially with the vibe.
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