ctit101
starting to shine!
Member since May 2011
Posts: 38
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Post by ctit101 on May 18, 2011 4:08:06 GMT -5
Hello and thank you for any help you throw my way. Our grand kids are now in that shinny rock what kind is this phase. Understand this is just past gramma is gone, lets build the vinegar and baking soda volcano on the back porch before she gets home papa phase.
So after reading all the help you all give others I have ordered the B 15# from the rock shed. I now have rocks on the back porch from pea gravel size to soft ball size. Driveway and ditch rocks. This is what happens when the grandparents house is between there house and the school. And are waiting for "it" to get here.
My question is this. Not knowing how long before I am moved into a new phase. I don't want to spend lots on the grit or polish that I have been reading about here at this site. We have lots of sand, lots of pea gravel, and a old bean bag full of them plastic pellets. I have found the places that say you can use plain sand but none give the mix or time to run or recharge that I see all of you talking about. What I'm looking for is a sand recipe in the tumbler.
I thank you all for your time.
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charles kuchar
spending too much on rocks
getting ready for the second coming
Member since November 2010
Posts: 300
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Post by charles kuchar on May 18, 2011 5:07:10 GMT -5
here is a link to help with polishing without using boughten grit. rocktumblingsupplies.com/faq.phtmlsomewhere in those faqs there is a bit on using sand instead of grit. i may have another link somewhere. however, if the kids are impatient then you need to buy grit to speed up the process. good luck with the kids. charlie
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ctit101
starting to shine!
Member since May 2011
Posts: 38
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Post by ctit101 on May 18, 2011 9:38:00 GMT -5
Good link good reading, I thank you. Any thing like that I can print out for them to set it up themselves is going to be a big help.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on May 18, 2011 10:29:41 GMT -5
I did the sand routine once- NOT worth it. I ran for 16 weeks with very poor results. Gave in and bought grit. It does indeed work (just ask mother nature)but I don't have the patience it requires. Can't wait till my granddaughter reaches that phase- she already comes down to poppi's rock shop and plays (ok dumps on the floor) all the shiney pretty rocks!
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Post by catmandewe on May 18, 2011 11:13:25 GMT -5
One of the members here uses diatomaceous earth instead of grit or polish, he said it works good but you have to let them run for a long long time. If you know where you can find some diatomaceous earth you can dig your own, if not you can buy it at almost any garden store. I don't know the exact recipe but maybe Scott will chime in and let us know what it is.
Have fun with the grand kiddies.................Tony
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on May 18, 2011 12:19:12 GMT -5
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth"It has a particle size ranging from less than 1 micrometre to more than 1 millimeter, but typically 10 to 200 micrometres.[1] This powder has an abrasive feel, similar to pumice powder, and is very light, due to its high porosity. The typical chemical composition of oven dried diatomaceous earth is 80 to 90% silica, with 2 to 4% alumina (attributed mostly to clay minerals) and 0.5 to 2% iron oxide" I think 200 um is about 80 grit and 10 um is up around 1000+. "Natural or dried diatomite generally contains very low percentages of crystalline silica. Diatomite produced for pool filters is treated with high heat (calcining) and a fluxing agent (soda ash), causing the formerly amorphous silicon dioxide to assume its crystalline form." Hmm, would the crystalline form be a better abrasive?
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Post by jakesrocks on May 18, 2011 14:14:59 GMT -5
Be sure to wear a very good dust mask if you try diatomaceous earth. It's very abrasive to the lungs too.
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
A COUPLE LAKERS
Member since August 2011
Posts: 891
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on May 19, 2011 0:14:26 GMT -5
The better form of silica abrasive is called Tripoli, but it's for pre-polishing or polishing, not grinding or sanding.
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ctit101
starting to shine!
Member since May 2011
Posts: 38
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Post by ctit101 on May 19, 2011 21:49:03 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips. The little grand kids are happy watching it go around and around. The oldest just turned teen, she's not buying the round and round stuff, wants to know how long. So after lots of reading on this great site it looks like I will have to order polish for the end stages. Again big thanks.
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on May 20, 2011 17:36:09 GMT -5
I I were you I'd pony up for a little 5 lb grit pack kit from the Rock Shed, the other stages will all proceed a LOT faster than they will with sand, and the end results should be significantly better.
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ctit101
starting to shine!
Member since May 2011
Posts: 38
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Post by ctit101 on May 27, 2011 22:03:12 GMT -5
Thanks rally for that great tip but I'm washing little hands and rocks everyday. Maybe after they quit asking to see there rock when they come over. And the sand is rounding them right now. But then it's getting replaced about daily too.
Come across a real good cheap filler. Was cutting the top of a food grade barrel for a rain barrel for the kids. It is 3/16 heavy plastic on the walls and almost half inch at the top. Called the guy that shreds them up at the food plant and asked for another. Cut strips out of it with a jig saw and cut them to half inch with the chop saw. Dropped about two hand fulls in the tumbler last week and they are still there doing there thing. It rounded the edges on them was all. You can cut them any size you want I guess. I would guess you could get about 15 lbs of that tough plastic out of a barrel or more. Will have to see how it works and holds up for a filler when I get to that polish stage. Really have no idea what size would be best.
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