ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Aug 2, 2016 10:07:00 GMT -5
Thanks again for the replies. I started with the "medium mix" and added more after the first week. Then I made up the difference the next 2 weekend with blue quartz and picture jasper (I bought 3lb bags of these). I will go thru the mix and separate everything according to their hardness. I also bought 3lb bags of green tree agate, Montana moss agate and Brazilian amethyst that I can cycle in when I need more.
Rob, yes, I am pulling out the rocks that are nice and smooth. I would say almost 1/2 the barrel is 80% done so I would think the amount of "ready" should go up shortly.
And I would also like to thank Walt (manofglass) for sending me to a link showing how Don (rollingstone) does his tumbling. It mentions adding a little grit every so often. I will give that a try after this weekends cleanout. There is so much good information tucked away everywhere around here!
Thanks again! Dave
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Aug 1, 2016 9:19:41 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies. I am using the "Medium Rock Mix" from the Rock Shed that came with my tumbler kit. This mixture consists of Rose Quartz, Green Aventurine, Lace Agate, White Quartz, different types of Jasper, Pudding Stone, Moss Agate, Sodalite, India Tree Agate, Petrified Wood, Turritella Agate, Prairie Agate and others.
I will continue what I've been doing and play around with the ceramics being added into the second stage when I get enough rocks to head there.
Have a great week.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jul 30, 2016 18:02:16 GMT -5
I have had my QT-66 running for a month now. I am using SC60/90 from the Rock Shed. I've been rinsing everything down and starting fresh with 10TB each Saturday. Things are progressing SLOWLY. I guess this will make we work on my patience. I have about 15 rocks that are perfectly smooth with no surface imperfections. I think the people who write the directions for this tumbler are doing newbies a disservice. They make it sound like things will be done in 7-10 days. Anyways, just have some questions.
1. The QT-66 is a double 6lb barrel setup. The barrel empty weighs about 3lbs. When everything is filled up, it weights 7lbs total which means the rock, grit and water come in at 4lbs. Is the 6lb rating including the weight of the barrel? I have the barrel filled up maybe 80%. Filling with water a little below the top layer. Just curious about how the weight is determined.
2. I have been adding new rough stock each week to make up the difference. Does this cause damage to the rocks that are already in there?
3. When I have enough to move to the next step (which feels like it will be January), what ratio of rock to filler should I use? I have a 5lb bag of the small ceramic pellets, also from the Rock Shed. Do I fill the barrel up as full as the rough stage? Or back off a little bit. It seems like I would want it to be full so there isn't so much crashing rock.
Thanks for all the help!
Dave
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jul 12, 2016 13:04:02 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. I just loaded everything back in the tumbler after letting it run for one week (included some more rough to make up the difference). I was shocked how much smoother everything was after that short of a time. Still some work that needs to be done so I'll check it in another week. Have a great day!
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on Jun 30, 2016 13:24:33 GMT -5
New member checking in from Chicago. I was given a rock tumbler many ages ago as a child and the damn thing never worked. Was in Cedarburg, WI a couple weeks ago and came across a rock/gem store and spent some time looking around. Came home and found this board. Placed an order with The Rock Shed a few days ago. 1/2 of the order should be here today, the other half tomorrow.
I ordered the Lortone QT66 tumbler kit and added an additional 6# barrel. I also added a large grit kit and 5# of the small ceramic cylinder pellets. The kit has a bag of mixed rock, but I also decided to get 3# of each of these:
Blue Quartz Brazilian Amethyst Picture Jasper Montana Moss Agate Green Tree Agate
I think I'll keep one barrel running the rough grit non-stop. Can use the second and third ones for the other 3 grits. I've got PDFs printed out. I've got threads bookmarked. I'm going to stop reading for a bit and get something going this weekend.
Have a great day! Dave
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