cailee
having dreams about rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 67
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Post by cailee on Feb 8, 2012 17:06:22 GMT -5
I just started my first real batch of rock tumbling (my son had a toy tumbler we did a batch in and I decided we needed the real deal). I put quartz and amethyst in there, lots of different sized rocks down to really small ones. I can hear the rocks hitting each other, not like super loud or anything but is it normal? And it is okay to just leave it without touching for five days right? The urge to peek is all well and good but I would rather wait and not have to clean up. I do have to say it tumbles a lot quieter than I thought it would, I thought I might have issues with the noise but out in our converted garage once the door shuts, you can't hear it at all. Tons quieter than the toy one. I look forward to lots of tumbling and am open to any and all advice. I have the Thumlers ar 2 I think, the one with 2 three pound barrels. I also have my little rock buddy, my son who is 8, he is taking his rock collection to his next boy scout meeting and we are going to work on the geology belt loop. I am hoping we can show all the kids there about tumbling, I just wish I had started sooner and could take them finished rocks, these boys love stuff like that.
Jen
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Feb 8, 2012 17:53:28 GMT -5
Welcome Jen, I've seen your inquiries. I am new to tumbling, about a month in now, and have yet to complete a stone in the tumblers. One thing that I think is helpful is to have a water spray bottle handy for when you DO decide to open the barrel. It is OK to look whenever you can't resist, although it is a bit like watching water boil. I have become accustomed to keeping out of it for longer periods of time so I see more progress when I open it the next time. If you open it, the slurry should completely cover the rocks, it shouldn't appear transparent or seem to run off the rocks. If it doesn't seem like a thing gravy, ask questions and show what is going on and you will get the help you need. That is one thing I have learned - take as many pictures as you can at every step and post them for others to understand better what is going on. If you do open it, just be sure to spray and wipe the (seal) seat and the lid so it doesn't have any grit or chips in it as they will cause leaks and wear out the seal. Something that helps me pass the time is to look at other folks' great tumbles. Here is a thread (start on page 2) that keeps me motivated to keep the lid on and wait as long as it takes: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=trtphoto&action=display&thread=22055&page=2Best of luck and keep us posted!
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 8, 2012 18:00:15 GMT -5
Jen, you can expect that tumbler to be noisy for about the first week. After the rocks start to grind down, and the mud slurry builds up, things will quiet down. I have a 15 lb Thumlers model B going in the breezeway, just a couple yards away from my recliner. After the first couple of days I can barely hear it.
Save the mud from your first batch, and add it to the next batch you do. It will help to speed up the first stage, and it will be less noisy.
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 8, 2012 20:17:27 GMT -5
Make sure the level is 2/3 to 3/4 full. You want the load to roll, not rise and drop.
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Post by paulshiroma on Feb 8, 2012 23:54:31 GMT -5
Welcome, Jen! You might also want to search through the existing threads for ideas and advice. The folks here are really helpful and considerate and offer loads of great advice. I've learned a lot simply reading through old threads. As an aside, I do check on the barrels daily although I don't open them - I'm mostly looking for leaks or signs of any possible problems.
So, again, welcome to the addiction ... er ... hobby! Paul
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morsefire
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 83
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Post by morsefire on Feb 9, 2012 0:32:47 GMT -5
Hi Jen. I consider myself a bit out of the box but everyone here has been awesome. I've learned a lot however my MO could be considered strange at best here. I'm not a lap guy and more an amateur geo guy. But loving my tumbling projects. In short, you've come to the right place. Happy rollin'.
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cailee
having dreams about rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 67
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Post by cailee on Feb 9, 2012 8:43:34 GMT -5
Thanks everyone ;D. I do imagine this might become a great addiction errr hobby for me. I have had a great time looking at pictures and reading through past threads for advice and tips. I definitely had the tumbler 2/3-3/4 full when I started and it doesn't seem to be making as much noise the more it goes, though one of the metal rods squeaks, I was going to dab some oil on it today, hope that will work. Like I said it is way quieter than the toy one we used. I am going to check it after 5 days to make sure it looks as it should, I will take pics then, I did take some pics of the rocks before starting. I am hoping to look for some rocks around where I live (San Antonio), I am not sure what I will find though as all the info I have been able to find says this area is great for fossils. We have some local creek areas that I am going to check out, my son will really love doing that, we did a park clean up with the scouts and he found a deer antler; you would have thought he won the lottery. Looking forward to sharing pictures and learning as much as I can . Thanks for all the advice so far, y'all are great! Jen
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 9, 2012 9:26:59 GMT -5
You have to go to see Martha at Texas Lapidaries. They are a really old rock shop in San Antonio. Lots of rock for sale of all kind but a huge amount of palm wood. They had buckets of tumbling size palm when I was there. A little drive West is Boerne Rock Shop. You should get involved with the local rock club. They will know what is in your area. A good deal of that part of Texas was under water until recent times so a lot of limestone.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Feb 9, 2012 10:23:16 GMT -5
Johnjsgems is right. We do have lots of limestone and chalk! The one thing I notice that wasn`t said was the need to burp the barrels. The first time a seal blows out you`ll know better. You need to open the barrels after the first 24 hrs. to let off escaping gases that build up in the barel. Different rocks off gas in various ways. I had one that I barely caught in time that had the bottom of the barrel rounded to a convex shape.
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 9, 2012 13:01:32 GMT -5
What worked pretty well for me was to open the barrel after about 3 days. That vented any gas and I could adjust grit/water as needed. You should keep an eye on rubber drums for signs of bulging, especially for the first few days though. I only had one 3 lb Thumler's lid blow off and can't remember what I was tumbling. Most common tumbling rocks won't produce gas.
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