chris1
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2015
Posts: 2
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Post by chris1 on Jan 27, 2015 15:53:08 GMT -5
I got my son one of those plastic barrel tumblers. After having to patch where the rock abrasion wore through the barrel, we were both disappointed with the end result. The rocks were smooth but did not have that high gloss shine that we were both expecting. We use the coarse, medium, pre-polish and polish all for the prescribed time. What is the secret?
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Post by broseph82 on Jan 27, 2015 15:58:43 GMT -5
chris1First off you have a plastic barrel. Second, read around in this section a bit and you'll find all your answers.
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Post by captbob on Jan 27, 2015 16:01:08 GMT -5
What type of rock were you tumbling? Not all rocks can take a polish.
If you think better results may keep ya'll interesting in tumbling, I have to recommend a better set up. You can get a good tumbler for less than a hundred bucks.
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Post by captbob on Jan 27, 2015 16:13:19 GMT -5
chris1First off you have a plastic barrel. Second, read around in this section a bit and you'll find all your answers. I think ya scared him away bro ...
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Post by deb193redux on Jan 27, 2015 16:40:32 GMT -5
does have to be a stone that can take a polish. then the right mix of sizes, fill, water, slurry, and TIME.
maybe post some pictures for better advice on shine
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Post by broseph82 on Jan 27, 2015 16:59:53 GMT -5
chris1First off you have a plastic barrel. Second, read around in this section a bit and you'll find all your answers. I think ya scared him away bro ... Nah, some people post and aren't able to come back to respond until later on in the day. I read on here for over 6mo before I ever posted anything. And everytime I google searched for an answer this forum popped up just about every time so that's why I joined and started posting. Wasnt meaning to sound rude or offensive, but sometimes ya gotta read and search for an answer. Also chris1 show us some pics of your tumbler, tell us the brand of tumbler, how much grit did you use in each stage, how long did the rocks tumble in each stage, what kind of rocks did you use, what kind of filler rocks/ceramic/pellets did you use....? The more info and pics you give the more helpful advice you will receive from the awesome people here.
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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 27, 2015 17:29:53 GMT -5
I got my son one of those plastic barrel tumblers. After having to patch where the rock abrasion wore through the barrel, we were both disappointed with the end result. The rocks were smooth but did not have that high gloss shine that we were both expecting. We use the coarse, medium, pre-polish and polish all for the prescribed time. What is the secret? Had one of those plastic tumblers. Used it once and got the same results you guys did. Most new tumblers (people who tumble rocks) run into this problem ... the instructions say to run the coarse for a week. NOT enough time. Most of us coarse grind for several weeks to several months before moving on to the finish stages. The finish really depends on the first step.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 27, 2015 18:25:28 GMT -5
Check out The Rock Shed if you're going to buy a tumbler. They have great prices and great service. I started out with a Lortone 33b. It has two barrels, but doesn't cost as much as buying two tumblers because they share a motor. If you order a tumbler from the Rock Shed, you get a discount on grit. Buy lots of 60/90 grit because you'll use way more of that than any other grit.
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riverrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2010
Posts: 1,395
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Post by riverrock on Jan 27, 2015 18:29:47 GMT -5
Hey Chris Tkvancil said it all. The more time in the 60/90 to get that smooth rock. Then move on to the next stage. Take your time. That's what I have learned from this board.
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chris1
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2015
Posts: 2
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Post by chris1 on Jan 27, 2015 19:06:03 GMT -5
Thanks everybody. I wasn't scared off or took exception to any of the advice. It is one of those cheap plastic ones. I knew damn well that it would be one of those things that would barely last as long as a 9 yr old boys interest in it. I'm always looking for ways to excite his interest in science. The first batch was the mix of rocks and grit that came with it. I later purchased what seemed to be a better quality of rock and grit. I couldn't imagine leaving these in there for more than a week or so. When all was said and done, there was a good 60% loss in mass.
I was wondering if there is a step that might not be talked about much that the pros use; such as a wax or urethane type last step. My grandfather was a furniture refinisher and I remember that he used to mix a powdered wax product. Is anything like that ever added to the process?
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 27, 2015 19:33:33 GMT -5
I've never heard of adding wax or anything. The rocks look shiny because they're super polished, no tricks. The trick is all in the first step. No one talks about running rocks for three months because it would scare off beginners. Don't be scared off, it's worth the wait.
I started tumbling about three years ago because my son liked rocks. He's mostly lost interest, but I'm hooked bad.
You can speed things up with a vibratory tumbler. Most of us start our rocks in a rotary to get them nicely rounded and to remove all the imperfections. I'm a perfectionist, but I leave the rocks in the first stage until every last flaw is gone. Then I move them to my vibratory tumbler, which works much faster with way less grit. My Lot-O vibe uses 2 tablespoons of 220 grit, then 1/2 teaspoon of 500, then 1000, then polish.
If your rocks lost 60% volume, then there's something wrong with the rocks. They're way too soft for tumbling. You will definitely lose a lot of volume in months of tumbling, but not in weeks. Agates and jaspers are hard and take a long time, but it's hard to mess them up too bad. If you're patient, they will always shine.
We can give you lots more advice if you want.
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Post by broseph82 on Jan 27, 2015 21:35:58 GMT -5
If you don't want to spend $200 on a tumbler go to Harbor Freight and get the double barrel rotary tumbler for $50 or less (use their coupons). Go to the rockshed and get some 60/90, 120/220, 500grit polishes. They even have packs of em combined and makes it a little bit cheaper. You def NEED to know what kind of rocks you're tumbling. Like Jugglerguy said It makes a difference! Agates with agates and Jasper's with Jasper's. Look on the 'MOHs Scale' and see what hardness your rocks are and keep the hardness' the same. The softer the rock the longer the polish will take. The harder the rock the longer the grinding stage will take (stage 1). I have some jasper that has been in my HF rotary since last year and they're still not done. Tumbling is a hobby with the cheaper equipment that you kind of have to start and forget about it until it's time to clean out add more grit. chris1For someone just wanting a batch here and there and for kids sake you don't need the 1000grit or polish. The 500grit after each day it's in there (vibratory) it breaks down into a higher grit and will give a nice polish without added polishers (I learned that here).
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