crgator
starting to shine!
Member since January 2011
Posts: 31
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Post by crgator on Jan 27, 2011 16:34:16 GMT -5
I'm sure it would be too easy to not use enough grit, but is it possible too use to much? From course all the way through polish.
Although I don't want to be wasteful, while I'm learning, I'd much rather use too much than not enough. Unless, of course, that would be damaging.
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daisyd681
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2011
Posts: 104
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Post by daisyd681 on Jan 27, 2011 23:40:28 GMT -5
I'm uber new too. But as I understand it, if you put in too much it will get too thick to be effective. Someone who actually knows can correct me, but it could turn into one big chunk. Right?
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marinedad
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 813
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Post by marinedad on Jan 28, 2011 1:04:12 GMT -5
what size barrell do you have? 3 lb. 6lb. 15lb. 1 lb grit should do 3-4 batches in a 3 lb. drum-barrell for each stage. usually 1/2 lb. polish will do 3-4 batches in a 3 lb. drum. some may alter this formula slightly. after polish stage i use ivory bar soap shavings to burnish for @24 hrs. if rocks are not shiney after polish stage. good luck, it took me many batches to get it right, also very important to use rocks of similar hardness and to use plastic pellets for pre polish and polish.
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Post by susand24224 on Jan 29, 2011 0:22:49 GMT -5
Extra grit won't hurt anything in a rotary tumbler except your pocketbook. I suppose if you have *waaay* too much grit it could cause a problem with the slurry, but a little too much won't harm anything. I can't speak for vibes as I have no experience with them.
Susan
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crgator
starting to shine!
Member since January 2011
Posts: 31
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Post by crgator on Jan 29, 2011 9:53:19 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies. I didn't think a bit too much would hurt. We've got the 3 lb barrels, and have been putting in (I think) about 4 oz, which is what I think the instructions call for. Didn't want to err by putting in, say 5 instead.
I think we're doing OK, and are about a week or so from seeing the results of our first batch.
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Post by Original Admin on Jan 29, 2011 14:27:42 GMT -5
Howde,
I look at it this way. For my 3LB barrels I pile it in for phase 1 - say 6 full heaped tablespoons of 80. I roll them until all the grit is gone. You can see when its gone as theres very few glistening fragments of it dotted about in the slurry. You can put too much in - ive done it in the past where ive put too much in and eventually the slurry becomes too viscous - like thick mud and its a mess and doesnt work!
The next stages I tend to be more conservative - for whats left of the rock in a 3LB barrel its just 1 and a half table spoons of 120 and then 400 for me. Both these tend to end up in a 1.5LB barrel because theres not as much bulk left in the rocks - but that depends on how much you want to grind them down.
So in my experience of rushing (or trying to rush) the 80 - yup - i'd say you can put too much in and clog things up.
Mark
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Post by krazydiamond on Jan 29, 2011 16:38:10 GMT -5
i use 4 tbsp of 60/90 for a three pound rotary barrel, ditto 120/220. when i get to pre polish (600) i use 6 tbsp and 6 tbsp for polish. i have lost my source for CPP polish, does anyone know where i can buy some?
thanks,
KD
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catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Post by catskillrocks on Jan 29, 2011 19:53:06 GMT -5
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