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Post by Toad on Sept 9, 2014 22:55:56 GMT -5
2 weeks ago I was impatient with my batch going into pre-polish (1200 SiC). I didn't have enough material to fill the 12-lb barrel but I was in a hurry to get to polish before the end of my tumbling season. Rocks filled up less than half the barrel, so I added some airsoft pellets and extra borax thinking it might add some cushioning. The barrel was still only half full at best. It made an awful crunching noise that I imagined was all my stones happily chipping each other to bits. But I was determined to see what would happen so on it rolled...
Opened the barrel today and there was very little damage to just a few stones. I think the crunching noise was the airsoft pellets - which did go away after two days or so (the noise, not the pellets). Extra borax might have helped too. SO I took the few damaged stones out and moved the rest to polish - which is plenty full with ceramic media and tin oxide. So should have some nice pictures to show you in a couple more weeks...
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Post by parfive on Sept 9, 2014 23:29:57 GMT -5
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Post by Toad on Sept 9, 2014 23:32:20 GMT -5
Very nice idea, but I don't drink wine...
Airsoft pellets were someone else's idea too - not too proud to steal ideas...
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,158
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Post by jamesp on Sept 10, 2014 16:30:30 GMT -5
I am nervous with 1/2 5/8 full tumbler. I won't run it till something fills it to 2/3 3/4. Especially when in #3 or polish. i have no experience with anything that floats or is light weight. But have had good luck with creek pea gravel or granite pea gravel if tumbling quartz. Kinda ran into the same thing w/the obsidian toad, adding glass as I go, BUT that is an experiment.
If doing coral and need more I add pre rounded coral set aside for the purpose if at step 2 or 3. And never go into polish needing to add anything, making sure barrel is plenty full at beginning of step 3.
I will say that the obsidian caked on one end running 7/8 full. So I did what many won't and added my sugar to prevent that due to it's lubricating qualities. I am a fan of sugar in #3 and polish. 3-4 cups/16 pounds of rock. Caking eliminated, foam also.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Sept 10, 2014 16:34:02 GMT -5
End of polish season?!. There's a season?
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blessed
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by blessed on Sept 10, 2014 20:23:19 GMT -5
Toad; I have told my wife I got lucky today. She will say, no luck you are blessed. Glad your rocks are alright. James
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