newgrit
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2009
Posts: 10
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Post by newgrit on Oct 11, 2009 21:13:42 GMT -5
Is there any reason I cannot re-use course and fine tumbling grit and the prepolish? After skimming off the plastic pellets and pouring the water off in the yard, it's easy enough to collect the grit. Why shouldn't I re-use it?
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 11, 2009 23:37:16 GMT -5
We reuse our grits. Generally we will do a batch on something hard like agate and save it as a slurry and either use it to tumble softer stones or use it in our vibratory tumbler or vibratory lap.
Lee
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Post by Toad on Oct 12, 2009 6:27:52 GMT -5
If you have grit left, you didn't run the cycle long enough. You're not getting all you can out of the grind. Or are you referring to the gray slurry. If that's the case, it isn't what it used to be - it has broken down by at least one stage.
Some folks will start a batch in 60/90 and let it run for months at a time. The silicon grit keeps breaking down all the way to polish stage. Maybe someone will chime in and let us know how this method works for them. My problem with that method is you don't get the same shaping as repeated cycles in the 60/90 grind would provide - but that could just be my preference. I re-charge with new 60/90 every week until I'm happy with the shape and texture before moving on.
I think some folks use a bit of the slurry from the old batch into the new batch to jump start slurry formation. I've never found the need myself. Most everyone re-uses polish though - it doesn't break down like grit.
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Oct 14, 2009 1:23:27 GMT -5
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Post by rocklicker on Oct 20, 2009 16:25:43 GMT -5
Hmm, if it's still coarse grit then yes, you aren't spending enough time in the coarse grind, or you need a better mix of rocks vs. grit carriers aka small rocks, chips. If you still find you have leftover grit then you are using too much. Better to not waste grit if you can help it. I like the idea of jumpstarting the next batch with used slurry. Steve
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Oct 20, 2009 16:43:02 GMT -5
When I'm rinsing out barrels I let the water run into the barrel and take the rocks out by hand rinsing them off as I go. The tumbling grit settles to the bottom and can be reused. It's not as aggressive as brand new 60/90 but if you have about 25% old grit and 75% new grit you'll get good results. Washing out your barrels this way gives you a good idea of how your grit is being used up so you can time your barrel clean outs better.
Also, if you put an old cookie sheet under the barrels while you're rinsing them out you'll catch a little more grit.
HTH
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goldfeverdave
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2009
Posts: 12
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Post by goldfeverdave on Aug 30, 2010 19:07:18 GMT -5
i dont use the 60/90 over its brokedown to much as far as the pre-polish and polish goes i use it over few more times works ok for me far as tumbing agates take good 2 weeks get the round size agates very tough
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