Pdwight
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 619
|
Post by Pdwight on Nov 2, 2003 18:23:32 GMT -5
I ran two of my tumblers for 7 days with 60-70 grit and was not quite pleased with the results..so after cleaning everything up I decided to re run the first stage with fresh grit and water. My question was is this necessary ? does the medium come to a point where it is so saturated with grit and leftover rock particles that it will not work anymore ?? I noticed about 1/8 inch of sludge in the bottom of the barrels..this is what made up my mind to do fresh media. Also do you guys fill to the point where the rocks just stick up out of th ewater or do you leave about 1 inch of rocks above the water ??
Just general discussion questions Thanks Dwight P
|
|
|
Post by docone31 on Nov 2, 2003 19:06:24 GMT -5
I have run sometimes, two batches of coarse grits. Sometimes it is neccessary. I also shake the bbl once a day, end for end. With the water level, I like to fill to the top of the highest stone. I also use hot water. The sludge is good, and if it gets too thick I pour off some of the top water and re add water. Sometimes it just takes two weeks to get the desired results.
|
|
SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
|
Post by SirRoxalot on Nov 3, 2003 14:23:48 GMT -5
Grit wears out. A week of grinding doesn't do all that much to tough rocks, eg. the quartz family. Some rough will take three weeks in coarse grind; recharge the grit every seven days. You can unload and wash it up if you want, but I usually get away with just chucking new grit in and keeping her rolling. (Industrial tumblers do 90 days with rough grit then straight to polish, the grit breaks down, eliminating the need for the intermediate steps.)
I look to build a nice thin pancake batter consistency slurry, so add less water, a couple inches under the top of the rock. It's all variable and highly adjustable, time and experimentation is all it takes.
|
|