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Post by broseph82 on Dec 10, 2014 11:43:30 GMT -5
Dec 10-- Rocks weren't making any noise so I decided to open it up after pondering Jugglerguy telling me I didn't have enough water in there. Barrel 1 was thick, but not foamy. Added 2/3c hot water and 2Tbsp of grit. Barrel 2 was foamy and to the top foamy. I added water and it didn't sink down just add to the foam. Dumped whole barrel into mesh drainer, rinsed rocks, added back to barrel with 2/3 water and 2Tbsp grit. Rocks already sounding much better. I can def see how people use their senses when it comes to tumbling.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 10, 2014 13:41:47 GMT -5
I wouldn't worry about the foam. The only thing to worry about is if the barrel starts to bulge. I've never had the problem myself but I've heard that certain rocks, like obsidian, can give off gases and make the barrel bulge and eventually could burst open. The obsidian I've tumbled wasn't a problem.
I'm wondering why you used hot water. When that cools, I think the barrel will try to shrink. If you had a bulging problem, that might be a solution, but you can also just open it to let off some pressure.
Take some notes along the way. When I started, I took lots of notes and it was helpful to look back and see what worked and what didn't.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Dec 10, 2014 13:59:33 GMT -5
The foam is coming from something in one or more of the rocks. Like Rob said if the barrel isn't swelling it's no problem. I've had foamy batches before and it tends to lessen as the rocks grind down.
Borax will thicken a slurry. When I use it I add a little extra water or open and check mid-week to see if the slurry needs thinned. Barrels will make a clunking sound with a too thick slurry.
I sometimes get grit stuck in the cracks. If they are going back into rough grind I just leave it in there. Comes out eventually. Alittle more grit in the mix can't hurt anything.
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Post by broseph82 on Dec 10, 2014 21:42:43 GMT -5
I wouldn't worry about the foam. The only thing to worry about is if the barrel starts to bulge. I've never had the problem myself but I've heard that certain rocks, like obsidian, can give off gases and make the barrel bulge and eventually could burst open. The obsidian I've tumbled wasn't a problem. I'm wondering why you used hot water. When that cools, I think the barrel will try to shrink. If you had a bulging problem, that might be a solution, but you can also just open it to let off some pressure. Take some notes along the way. When I started, I took lots of notes and it was helpful to look back and see what worked and what didn't. for glass filler on the obsidian can I just break a bottle (wife wants faux beach glass) and use that or use those liitle rounded glass stones from the dollar store?
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 10, 2014 21:48:08 GMT -5
I'm not sure about glass filler. jamesp is the expert on that.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,165
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Post by jamesp on Dec 11, 2014 6:40:11 GMT -5
I wouldn't worry about the foam. The only thing to worry about is if the barrel starts to bulge. I've never had the problem myself but I've heard that certain rocks, like obsidian, can give off gases and make the barrel bulge and eventually could burst open. The obsidian I've tumbled wasn't a problem. I'm wondering why you used hot water. When that cools, I think the barrel will try to shrink. If you had a bulging problem, that might be a solution, but you can also just open it to let off some pressure. Take some notes along the way. When I started, I took lots of notes and it was helpful to look back and see what worked and what didn't. for glass filler on the obsidian can I just break a bottle (wife wants faux beach glass) and use that or use those liitle rounded glass stones from the dollar store? Still experimenting with glass filler Jimi. Got another load of obsidian running in glass filler in the rotary as we speak. So far, the best polish I have with obsidian was using glass filler in the rotary. But it was not a wet shine. But that run had many other problems. This run seems to be going as planned. I have just kept adding broken glass to the coarse grind. It ends up rounded. All colors of glass. The glass is cool. Some photos from the glass + obsidian saga/nightmare: www.flickr.com/photos/67205364@N06/sets/72157647518503352
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Dec 11, 2014 11:23:32 GMT -5
My last obsidian batch used both broken bottle glass and dollar store rounds for filler. Gassy stuff. Check barrels often for bulging. My 12#er popped its top and I had quite the mess to clean up. The end results were worth it. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/post/769043/thread
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Post by broseph82 on Dec 11, 2014 13:04:00 GMT -5
My last obsidian batch used both broken bottle glass and dollar store rounds for filler. Gassy stuff. Check barrels often for bulging. My 12#er popped its top and I had quite the mess to clean up. The end results were worth it. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/post/769043/threadI remember being in awe seeing that thread! Great stuff. Glad I'm learning just by reading. I may not always post on every thread but I sure do read just about every thread.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Dec 11, 2014 13:11:05 GMT -5
I'm with you broseph82 ... do a lot more reading than posting.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,165
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Post by jamesp on Dec 11, 2014 15:04:46 GMT -5
My last obsidian batch used both broken bottle glass and dollar store rounds for filler. Gassy stuff. Check barrels often for bulging. My 12#er popped its top and I had quite the mess to clean up. The end results were worth it. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/post/769043/thread Benchmark tumbles, I remember those beauties.
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Post by broseph82 on Dec 14, 2014 23:02:23 GMT -5
Dec 14 2014 I'm a day early for 7 days, but I've been away hounding all weekend and I've missed my lil tumbles. Here's what I've found out: Barrel 1- has broken the grit down to almost smooth since I recharged on Dec 10th. Added 4 Tbsp grit and 4oz water. Barrel 2- grit was dark gray and was still a little rough. Hadn't broken down like barrel one that has all the big rocks. Added 3 Tbsp grit and 4oz water. Both barrels were rinsed this time. Here's what the smalls originally looked like: And here's what they look like today (barrel 2): So much better looking in person. Barrel 1 has some pieces that has shown stripes and lines inside. Love this stuff and I can go and get bags full too at any time. The jasper isn't carrying grit in the cracks anymore. Cracks have smoothed some but still have a way to go. Brighter reds are def coming out of the pieces. They didn't look too much different from last week so I didn't take a pic.
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Post by broseph82 on Dec 21, 2014 22:51:07 GMT -5
Dec 21 2014-
Checked on both barrels and am disappointed with the Jasper. The smalls are all looking awesome, but still have another load or two to go before going to next stage.
Tomorrow I'm taking almost all the jasper pieces to the wheels to get rid of the cracks and to smooth them out. I'm afraid that it will take 3-6 months to even get past the 1st stage.
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Post by broseph82 on Dec 22, 2014 11:55:33 GMT -5
Dec 22 2014
Barrel 1- spent two hours mostly grinding down the rough and cracks on stone wheel. Trimmed a few larger pieces with trim saw and took to the wheels. Added 4Tbsp grit and 1/3c water.
Barrel 2- just used trim saw to cut bigger stones in half. Added 4Tbsp grit, 1/3c water, and some extra emerald rough.
I didn't round off the smaller pieces that fell off from the trim saw to be able to use those sharper pieces to help smooth out the larger.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Dec 22, 2014 12:10:00 GMT -5
Dec 21 2014- Checked on both barrels and am disappointed with the Jasper. The smalls are all looking awesome, but still have another load or two to go before going to next stage. Tomorrow I'm taking almost all the jasper pieces to the wheels to get rid of the cracks and to smooth them out. I'm afraid that it will take 3-6 months to even get past the 1st stage. It has been my experience that the smalls always finish up faster. Seems like the big ones take forever .....
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 22, 2014 12:10:41 GMT -5
Those pictures look like your rocks are coming along nicely. I like the ones with the stripes too!
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Post by broseph82 on Dec 27, 2014 19:43:48 GMT -5
Something went wrong in the last 6 days and I don't know what.
Barrel 1- slurry thick and no excess water. Rocks looked cracked and filled with grit. I spent 2 hrs on these grinding them down and smoothing them out. Added 3Tbs grit, borax, and 8oz water
Barrel 2- watery slurry. Rocks weren't filled with grit in cracks. Added 3Tbsp grit and 8oz water.
I just don't know what the hell went wrong.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 27, 2014 20:51:47 GMT -5
Remind me again what's in each barrel. It sounds like the difference in materials is giving you the different results. I'd skip the borax in the rough stage.
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Post by broseph82 on Dec 27, 2014 22:06:52 GMT -5
Remind me again what's in each barrel. It sounds like the difference in materials is giving you the different results. I'd skip the borax in the rough stage. I did it to thicken it up a bit since I used 8oz water and to wash out the cracks a bit. I used the same stuff I've had in there. I just cut them down to smaller sizes and smoothed em out. I have the Jasper in there with those small quartz type rocks and one miss agate. But it's like it totally changed the shape of what they were. I took out all the cracks and it seemed like they reappeared. Maybe my anxiety flared up too and I'll check on it in a few days and see how it is. Btw Jugglerguy I got my Lot-O in today and am currently running glass, slag, and obsidian. Wish me luck.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 27, 2014 22:40:53 GMT -5
You're going to love your Lot-O. It saves time and lots of grit. You can also peek in anytime you want to see how they're doing. Do you have a basic recipe?
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Post by broseph82 on Dec 27, 2014 23:48:47 GMT -5
You're going to love your Lot-O. It saves time and lots of grit. You can also peek in anytime you want to see how they're doing. Do you have a basic recipe? Just what I've seen in the sticky. Filled up with water, drained, started LotO then added 3Tbs grit. Jugglerguy
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