hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Oct 12, 2014 22:49:30 GMT -5
Alright... I'll post pics soon and get rolling with this forum... but I do have a couple quick questions that I want to get answers to.
Started my first grind tonight!! I received my QT-66 with an extra 12# barrel a few days ago. I have a couple hundred pounds or so of pet wood and another 40-50 of Yellowstone agate that I have been antsy to get rolling! Well, tonight I filled the 12# barrel about 1/2 full, MAYBE a hair past 1/2. BUT... I think that barrel had to weight 20-25# once I got grit and water in it... Whats up with that?? Is is not supposed to be about 12# when appropriately loaded with rock. I COULD be wrong about the poundage, was just going by feel. I can weigh it though and see.
My other question is this... after just a few minutes that little motor feels hot. Is that normal??
One last question... the biggest rock I put in was much small than fist sized. I have a bunch of 1/2 to 1" diameter rock and a bunch varying from 1 inch to 2 1/2 inches. What is a max sized rock? Can I put a softball sized rock in there as long as there is a bunch of small stuff or maybe plastic pellets or ceramic to fill the space?
I took pics of the rocks before I put them in... and will post them probably tomorrow! Today I fished the Yellowstone and picked up about 25# of wood and agate!
thanks all!
HS
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Oct 12, 2014 23:07:51 GMT -5
A couple of quick comments:
You should be filling the barrel to just a bit over 3/4 th full with the water level at 3/4th.
It's normal for the motor to run hot.
I suspect that you're trying to tumble rocks that are too large without enough small Dr rocks as filler.
Generally you can only put in a few larger rocks in a load.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Oct 12, 2014 23:08:46 GMT -5
You can run a rock as big as what you can put in the barrel, and still have some rolling room, say a couple inches smaller than barrel inside dia. Use a bunch of smaller stuff to give rolling and grinding action, plastic or ceramic is a waste of mtl. in the roughing stages. I've used pea gravel to fill up a barrel with one or two large pieces in it when I didn't have any small good stuff to run, or when I didn't want to chance the smalls getting broken. Agree w/Steve, 3/4 full is good, I skimp on the water though, less than to bottom of top layer of rock.
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Oct 12, 2014 23:09:37 GMT -5
Forgot to add: experimentation and "breaking the established rules" is an important part of tumbling.
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hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Oct 13, 2014 0:00:14 GMT -5
3/4 huh... even the directions say 1/2-2/3.... OK! Im fine with experimenting and breaking rules!!!
Thanks! And I'm glad to hear about the rock size, because I found a 6" diameter rock today that needs to be polished... not sure what it is, but I do believe it is some variation of chalcedony....
Thanks!
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Oct 13, 2014 8:38:34 GMT -5
All my Lortone tumblers weigh heavy when loaded. I go from 2/3rds to 3/4 full on all of them. I have found that they will work at 1/2 full but are slower to grind and you get more chipping.
The motor will be hot. This is normal.
In a 12# barrel loaded to 2/3rds I use 2 cups of water. Well below the bottom of the top layer guideline. Can't even see the water through the rocks without tilting the barrel.
I put in more than recommended large rocks quite often. Just be sure to have lots of smalls. Like Steve says experiment and see what works, Good Luck.
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hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Oct 13, 2014 10:14:59 GMT -5
Thanks!!! My next item on the wish list is that Lorraine combo saw/shaper! HS
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hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Oct 13, 2014 11:36:36 GMT -5
Lol. Spell checker!! Lortone!!
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