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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 28, 2014 0:13:33 GMT -5
I do each Lot-O stage for about 2 days. Each stage gets either one tablespoon of borax or Dreft soap. Between each stage I rinse the rocks well in a colander, then wash them twice in the Lot-O for about 15 minutes to an hour or so. A wash consists of either a tablespoon of borax or Dreft and about a quarter cup of water (when tumbling, the rocks are just wet, with no extra water). Watch the water when you rinse them after a wash and you'll be surprised at how dirty it is the first time.
Stage one - 2 Tablespoons of 220 grit S.C. Stage two - 1/2 teaspoon of 500 grit S.C. Stage three - 1/2 teaspoon of 1000 A.O. Stage four - 1/2 teaspoon of A.O. polish. I do the polish stage in a separate bowl.
You really need to watch your rocks closely in the 220 stage, because they'll dry out quickly. Have a squirt bottle ready to add extra water as they start to dry out, but be careful not to add too much. Just give a squirt or two and then watch them for a few minutes before adding more. As long as they're moving pretty well, there's no need to add water. As they dry out, the motion will slow way down and you'll know they need water.
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Post by pghram on Dec 28, 2014 23:42:21 GMT -5
Those are looking good.
Rich
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Post by broseph82 on Dec 29, 2014 12:19:44 GMT -5
Those are looking good. Rich The bad thing is those are just my filler rocks (yellow, pink, and white)
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Post by pghram on Dec 29, 2014 17:12:21 GMT -5
Those are looking good. Rich The bad thing is those are just my filler rocks (yellow, pink, and white) That's not bad, that's GOOD! Rich
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Post by broseph82 on Dec 29, 2014 22:08:41 GMT -5
Jugglerguy did I read it right that you said only 1/2 tsp of 500? Bikerrandy uses 3-4 Tbsp of 500 not teaspoons. Let me know if that's correct or a typo
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 29, 2014 23:20:49 GMT -5
Yes, 1/2 TEAspoon. That's one of the main reasons I bought a Lot-O, it saves a ton of money on grit.
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Post by broseph82 on Dec 29, 2014 23:55:02 GMT -5
Yes, 1/2 TEAspoon. That's one of the main reasons I bought a Lot-O, it saves a ton of money on grit. Sweet. I did a full teaspoon just to be safe.
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Post by broseph82 on Jan 1, 2015 0:23:20 GMT -5
I don't think there's enough cushioning in my barrels.
Barrel 1- rocks have new fractures and chips. Seemed like maybe the jasper is knocking around too much and damaging the other pieces. May be due to poor material as well. This was lined in a dirt road next to a railroad track. I added ceramic chips, 6oz water, and 3Tbsp of 60/90.
Barrel 2- looks like it's improving. Added 6oz water, ceramic chips, and 3Tsp 60/90.
My HF tumbler may be rotating too fast too. Not sure. Added the extra stuff to hopefully add cushioning and keep the rocks from banging around so much. Maybe this will work maybe it won't.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Jan 2, 2015 11:03:53 GMT -5
I need to start a book on this tumbling formulas...Thumbs up
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Post by broseph82 on Jan 14, 2015 0:34:36 GMT -5
Jan 13, 2015-- Checked both barrels and am actually pleased with the results. I know last time I wasn't so happy, but leaving them a little bit longer than just 7 days has paid off. 2 days last week they were shut off due to shifting of work space. Barrel 1- Barrel 2- Added 3/4c water and 3Tbsp 60/90 in both barrels.
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Post by captbob on Jan 14, 2015 0:41:45 GMT -5
Those are shaping up nicely!
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Jan 14, 2015 10:23:04 GMT -5
If everything is working well disregard this .... 3/4 cup water in a 3#er might be a bit much. I use 3/8 of a cup in my 3#ers and 3tbs. grit. All used up in a week, the grit that is...
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Post by broseph82 on Jan 14, 2015 10:38:41 GMT -5
If everything is working well disregard this .... 3/4 cup water in a 3#er might be a bit much. I use 3/8 of a cup in my 3#ers and 3tbs. grit. All used up in a week, the grit that is... I will disregard this fellow rockhound. I'm going by what I did last time. I've used less water and didn't get the results I wanted so I'm using more on these. Thanks for the input tho!
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Jan 14, 2015 10:43:38 GMT -5
If everything is working well disregard this .... 3/4 cup water in a 3#er might be a bit much. I use 3/8 of a cup in my 3#ers and 3tbs. grit. All used up in a week, the grit that is... I will disregard this fellow rockhound. I'm going by what I did last time. I've used less water and didn't get the results I wanted so I'm using more on these. Thanks for the input tho! That's cool. Ya gotta go with what's working.
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Post by broseph82 on Jan 14, 2015 10:51:02 GMT -5
I will disregard this fellow rockhound. I'm going by what I did last time. I've used less water and didn't get the results I wanted so I'm using more on these. Thanks for the input tho! That's cool. Ya gotta go with what's working. I read all the tumbling threads I could to get a start. Used hardly any water and got some results. The last week I did it I felt like there wasn't enough cushion so I added more water. Sure enough with a little more water and longer roll time I got better looking stones. Hope I didn't come off being offensive because that wasn't where I was going.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Jan 14, 2015 11:02:01 GMT -5
That's cool. Ya gotta go with what's working. I read all the tumbling threads I could to get a start. Used hardly any water and got some results. The last week I did it I felt like there wasn't enough cushion so I added more water. Sure enough with a little more water and longer roll time I got better looking stones. Hope I didn't come off being offensive because that wasn't where I was going. No you didn't come off offensive. There are many variations on the basic tumbling recipe. Water quality, and the characteristics of each rock type are just two variables. Like I said go with what's working. Enjoying this thread and will watch your progress.
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Post by gingerkid on Jan 14, 2015 11:30:43 GMT -5
Your tumbles are coming along nicely, broseph82. Jimi, I wanted to ask if you oiled the tumbler shaft before using it? If I remember correctly, I think Chris' HF rotary tumbler quit working because he didn't know that you were supposed to oil the shaft. Not sure if it has oil ports??
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Post by broseph82 on Jan 14, 2015 13:18:20 GMT -5
Your tumbles are coming along nicely, broseph82. Jimi, I wanted to ask if you oiled the tumbler shaft before using it? If I remember correctly, I think Chris' HF rotary tumbler quit working because he didn't know that you were supposed to oil the shaft. Not sure if it has oil ports?? Not my first one, but the newest one yes. Used a 3 in one oil. I also have the 1yr replacement warranty so I'm not too worried about it. Thanks for asking .
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Post by gingerkid on Jan 14, 2015 13:26:37 GMT -5
That's good to hear, broseph82, and glad to have asked you. Didn't want you to be without a tumbler.
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rockit
starting to shine!
Member since January 2015
Posts: 44
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Post by rockit on Jan 15, 2015 16:41:50 GMT -5
I really appreciate this thread broseph82, started my tumbler a few weeks ago, on stage 2 now. Was worried I used too much water, but things are looking good so far. Can't take pics as everything is in the basement which has poor lighting, working on getting a different light set-up so I can actually see what I'm doing.
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