transcendental
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 459
|
Post by transcendental on Sept 21, 2014 20:27:40 GMT -5
Whats the longest you've tumbled a batch in 80 grit?
I have a batch of agates and jaspers in the tumbler thats been going in 80 grit for at least a month. Still not happy with the roundness of the edges. Reload it every 10 days with more grit 2 tbsp each time. Am I being to picky here or not doing something right, or is this normal?
|
|
|
Post by Jugglerguy on Sept 21, 2014 20:36:14 GMT -5
I take rocks out as they are ready, so a single batch doesn't all get done at the same time. I've had individual rocks go for four months or so, and in some cases the majority of the batch has gone that long. I rarely get rocks through the first stage in a month. The only rocks that get done that quickly are rounded beach rocks. Harder rocks take longer than softer rocks. Agates and jaspers are hard, so they take a long time. Jaspers seem to get done quicker than agates, though.
How big is your tumbler? I use at least three tablespoons of grit in my three pound barrels and at least 6 tablespoons in my six pound barrels. In other words, I use a tablespoon per pound. I clean out my barrels weekly.
|
|
swiper
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 64
|
Post by swiper on Sept 21, 2014 21:55:18 GMT -5
I have a 12 lb Thumbler tumbler and use 12 tbsp 80 grit with 2 cups water. I let it tumble for 7 days or so and do a complete cleanout. I inspect every rock and those that are not 100% smooth will go back in the tumbler. A majority of the rocks go back in as they are not done. I add to the tumbler as needed so it stays about 4/5ths full. Depends on the rock but I would say each of my rocks tumble for well over a month before they are ready to move on.
Might be that instead of reloading you need to do a cleanout.
|
|
tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
|
Post by tkvancil on Sept 21, 2014 23:26:02 GMT -5
I often have rocks in rough grind for three or more months at a time. Longest part of the journey, a real patience tester. Doesn't sound like your doing anything wrong. If you don't like a rock coming out of rough you'll likely nit like it polished. Hang in there.
|
|
|
Post by nowyo on Sept 22, 2014 0:02:29 GMT -5
Yeah, the coarse is the slow part that drives me crazy. I have two tumblers running 24/7 with nothing but coarse. Take a few out at cleanout when they're ready and add a few more. Just did the big tumbler today-sort of disappointing how few I pulled to move on, but some of ones I put back are really close so maybe next time? Perseverance.
Russ
|
|
transcendental
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 459
|
Post by transcendental on Sept 22, 2014 7:57:27 GMT -5
I have done a full clean out just rinsed a couple to check progress before adding more grir. Guess ill do a full clean out today. Im using a 3lb rotary btw, forgot to mention that. My previous tumbles have all been beach stones so the rounding out part had been done for me by mother nature. Man does this hobby teach patience! Thanks for the replies, ill just keep doing what im doing maybe full clean out more often
|
|
|
Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 22, 2014 8:09:42 GMT -5
My last batch of brazilian agates spent as much as 18 weeks in 46/70 in a 12 pound barrel and that was with grinding off really bad areas with a diamond wheel first. Its all about what you want them to look like when there done. Some folks want some natural character to show while others want a smooth as glass finish. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/66971/good-pic-heavyChuck
|
|
transcendental
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 459
|
Post by transcendental on Sept 22, 2014 13:30:46 GMT -5
That link is essentially what im hoping mine look like. I went to clean out and dumped my slurry into the colander over a container, noticed right away a lot of the grit hadnt broken down much from my last add 10 days ago. Got me thinking maybe there wasnt enough movement inside the barrel? Took out a few of the bigger pieces, put everything else back in and added more grit. We will see in 10 days if there is any difference, definitely sounds different now.
|
|
|
Post by Jugglerguy on Sept 22, 2014 15:09:21 GMT -5
My grit is almost always used up in seven days. The only time it hasn't been used up is when I've added plastic pellets to the barrel. I don't add plastic anymore. JamesP has pointed out that overfilling barrels will also result in a more gentle action for easily fractured material. Since agates and jaspers aren't generally fragile, you may do better with the barrel a little less full. I aim for 2/3 to 3/4 full.
I cut a piece of PVC pipe that I set in my barrel on top of the rocks to measure when it's 2/3 full. If you'd like to make one, measure the depth of the barrel from the bottom of the lip that the lid sets on to the bottom of the barrel. Take 1/3 of that, then add on the height of the barrel above the lip that the lid sets on. Cut your pipe or board or whatever to that length, then when you put that on top of your rocks, it should be level to the very top of the barrel. I find that this helps me be consistent.
|
|
blessed
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 329
|
Post by blessed on Sept 22, 2014 17:15:52 GMT -5
I think you are doing fine. It just takes time. I ran some flint for over three months before it was ready for stage two. I also think the three pound barrels take longer than the larger barrels. James
|
|
whatamidoing
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2014
Posts: 86
|
Post by whatamidoing on Sept 22, 2014 18:22:09 GMT -5
I cut a piece of PVC pipe that I set in my barrel on top of the rocks to measure when it's 2/3 full. If you'd like to make one, measure the depth of the barrel from the bottom of the lip that the lid sets on to the bottom of the barrel. Take 1/3 of that, then add on the height of the barrel above the lip that the lid sets on. Cut your pipe or board or whatever to that length, then when you put that on top of your rocks, it should be level to the very top of the barrel. I find that this helps me be consistent. Thanks for this bit of info! I was wondering how to determine the 2/3 full. Simple idea, and very useful! Now I feel silly for not thinking of that when I started!
|
|
transcendental
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 459
|
Post by transcendental on Sept 22, 2014 19:27:53 GMT -5
Yeah I had it 3/4 full, now its a bit more than half but not quite 3/4. Ill keep you guys posted with how it goes
|
|
|
Post by Starguy on Sept 22, 2014 20:30:54 GMT -5
I think you are doing fine. It just takes time. I ran some flint for over three months before it was ready for stage two. I also think the three pound barrels take longer than the larger barrels. James transcendentalI agree with James. I use a 12 lb Lortone for the coarse grind. The big tumbler seems to grind more efficiently. I don't know if it's the flat sides in the barrel or the extra weight of rock in the grind. It could just be my imagination too. Then I go to a 3 lb Lortone for fine grit through polish. After a month or two the 12 pounder has rough ground enough agate to go on to fine in the small barrel. After that, the big tumbler rough grinds about enough rock to start a new fine thru polish batch every three weeks. later Brent
|
|
|
Post by braders on Sept 22, 2014 21:28:35 GMT -5
Iv got rough tumbles I have lost complete track of how long they been rolling along like mentioned above ya kinda just pull and add as they grind along . There is always the speed up of cheating and pre grinding them it speeds things waaaaay up Other then that its all about set it and forget it ha ha After ya been doing it for a long time seems ya dont think about them much or like me sometimes forget about them!! ...thats why a calendar is very usefull. Glad to see your still going at it buddy and im standing by to see your final work im sure youll do great And if ya need more goodies just whistle !
|
|
tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
|
Post by tkvancil on Sept 23, 2014 8:38:48 GMT -5
That link is essentially what im hoping mine look like. I went to clean out and dumped my slurry into the colander over a container, noticed right away a lot of the grit hadnt broken down much from my last add 10 days ago. Got me thinking maybe there wasnt enough movement inside the barrel? Took out a few of the bigger pieces, put everything else back in and added more grit. We will see in 10 days if there is any difference, definitely sounds different now. After 10 days the grit should be used up. If not it is likely one of two things .... too much grit or too much water. In my 3# barrels I have found that 2 to 3 tablespoons will get used up. Lortone says add 4 tbs. but I always had grit left over when adding four. As for water I use 1/2 cup in a 3# barrel. It is way below the "bottom of the top layer" guideline. Only need enough water to make the grit stick to the rocks.
|
|
transcendental
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 459
|
Post by transcendental on Sept 23, 2014 11:03:48 GMT -5
Yeah if in 10 days my grit is still in tact I'll be removing some water. Its just below the top layer of rocks atm so hopefully it's ok
|
|
transcendental
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 459
|
Post by transcendental on Sept 23, 2014 11:42:01 GMT -5
Iv got rough tumbles I have lost complete track of how long they been rolling along like mentioned above ya kinda just pull and add as they grind along . There is always the speed up of cheating and pre grinding them it speeds things waaaaay up Other then that its all about set it and forget it ha ha After ya been doing it for a long time seems ya dont think about them much or like me sometimes forget about them!! ...thats why a calendar is very usefull. Glad to see your still going at it buddy and im standing by to see your final work im sure youll do great And if ya need more goodies just whistle ! Haha its your goodies that are in there now, at this rate the packages you sent should last me a years worth of tumbling lmao
|
|