grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Mar 1, 2015 15:29:14 GMT -5
Hi Tumblers,
I have two large buckets of of dried rock slurry from my tumblers. I am wondering if there is any "practical" use for this stuff? I know better than to put it in a garden or around plants as it has Borax in the mix. I have used it on occasion to thicken my grit slurry while tumbling rough-stock. I can't really say if I can see that it made any difference, but I can't see that it could harm anything either.
Do any of you folks out there use the old slurry for any tumbling stage? Is there any other practical use for the "rock cement" that you have found? I know I have more than I will ever use, and it is just a fraction of what I have already thrown out. Maybe that is exactly where this stuff should go too...into the bottom of the weekly trash barrel!
P.S. I never put it in the trash wet, but always let it dry out into it's cement form before I dump it. There is no mess that way.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Mar 1, 2015 15:51:07 GMT -5
I use it as ballast in my trash can so it doesn't tip over in the wind.
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Post by glennz01 on Mar 1, 2015 17:10:12 GMT -5
I use my slurry for every stage (accept final polish obviously) It also makes for a good pre-polish without needing to add any grit.
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Mar 1, 2015 17:59:01 GMT -5
same here... I add it to all new bucket of tumble to make a slurry faster, and thicker! works great!!
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rockit
starting to shine!
Member since January 2015
Posts: 44
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Post by rockit on Mar 2, 2015 5:49:30 GMT -5
I don't use borax when tumbling with grit, only when cleaning between stages. Not sure if it would affect the outcome or not. Anywho, as I 'collect' used slurry, I was reminded of 'dorodango', a handmade polished stone of sorts. I suppose the slurry could be layed out on plastic and dried into as much powder as you need. Here is a little more info: www.dorodango.com/create.htmlVideo: I'm going to try to make one as soon as I have enough dried slurry.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,666
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 2, 2015 10:41:58 GMT -5
Great ideas.............Saves money too.............
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Mar 2, 2015 11:12:36 GMT -5
I filled some pot holes in my driveway w/ 3/4" gravel and then "rinsed" the dried slurry into the holes. Locked that gravel down like concrete!
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,605
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Post by QuailRiver on Mar 2, 2015 12:20:37 GMT -5
If you know of any potters in your area who mix their own glazes, they may be thrilled to get it. Especially since you have so much of it. In addition to having silica, and a host of mineral oxides, the borax will act as a flux for the silica in ceramic glazes. And the presence of fine silicon carbide grit in a ceramic glaze helps deplete the oxygen in the glaze during firing which often improves colors in some glazes. Such as in glazes containing copper, SC can help turn the blue copper colors bright red. Also SC is sometimes used in glazes to create bubble effects. As a "once upon a time" potter myself, I would imagine it would be a lot of fun experimenting with glazes made of rock tumbler sludge! Larry C.
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Post by phil on Mar 2, 2015 12:50:55 GMT -5
I'm not as imaginative as others, I just mix it in when I'm making concrete or adobe bricks.
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Mar 3, 2015 15:03:50 GMT -5
Thanks for all the feed-back. I too, think that maybe it's best quality is holding the dumpster in place during the windy season! I am glad to hear that the potters may be interested in some of the stuff. I will offer some and see what they think of the end product. I will continue to use it to thicken new grit loads.
I have an aluminum framed shower. We wipe it down each use, but the folks before us let the water dry on the surface, thus calcium deposits. We have used every available product to clean the aluminum. Some work a little, some do not work at all, as I am sure most of you are aware of.
I am going to make a paste of water and rock slurry and see if I can "polish" the calcium off that has etched the aluminum. I will do it in a spot that is not noticeable just in case my idea turns out to be a major mistake!
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Post by glennz01 on Mar 4, 2015 0:06:30 GMT -5
Thanks for all the feed-back. I too, think that maybe it's best quality is holding the dumpster in place during the windy season! I am glad to hear that the potters may be interested in some of the stuff. I will offer some and see what they think of the end product. I will continue to use it to thicken new grit loads. I have an aluminum framed shower. We wipe it down each use, but the folks before us let the water dry on the surface, thus calcium deposits. We have used every available product to clean the aluminum. Some work a little, some do not work at all, as I am sure most of you are aware of. I am going to make a paste of water and rock slurry and see if I can "polish" the calcium off that has etched the aluminum. I will do it in a spot that is not noticeable just in case my idea turns out to be a major mistake! Don't do it Your drains might clog.
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