rudy35
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2010
Posts: 23
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Post by rudy35 on Oct 13, 2011 8:27:15 GMT -5
I have been tumbling rocks for about a year and read everything on this forum.I have learned that many rocks have pits,fissures etc even after several weeks in coarse tumbling. I would like to grind these problem areas out between rounds. I would appreciate advice on the best way to do this. should i use sil carbide hard wheels....diamond hard wheels or expandable wheels with belts? I tumble pet wood, agate and jasper.....also ,which grit wheels should i buy?
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Post by docone31 on Oct 13, 2011 9:19:43 GMT -5
When I first started, I used a regular grinding wheel. Not an expensive one either. I had an old Windex spray jug, and hand sprayed the wheel. For short work, it works well. Especially if you tumble it after.
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Post by parfive on Oct 13, 2011 10:53:43 GMT -5
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Oct 13, 2011 12:20:39 GMT -5
Ditto what parfive said. When I first started I tried the shop grinder, took too long and was hard to keep the stones cool. The cheap tile saw is the way to go. I don't have anything but my saw and tumblers, but the saw also allows me to cut little slabs. By rolling the rock on the blade you can cut a rock up to 3 inches. I get rid of vugs and irregular parts on stuff to be tumbled, saves a lot of time in coarse grit which saves on grit used and power. I also make pseudo-cabs and arrowheads. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=trtphoto&action=display&thread=47261
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rudy35
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2010
Posts: 23
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Post by rudy35 on Oct 14, 2011 10:33:49 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for your input, I did'nt know that a plain gray wheel would work,,,I thought it would be necessary to at least use the green carbide wheel. I have some gray wheels and will try them. I read about someone using a gang of 6 tile saw blades to do this, do you think this would work any better? I appreciate you taking the time to help,,,,Rudy
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Oct 14, 2011 13:24:44 GMT -5
The 6 blade "super grinder" will eat the rocks very quickly. If you use the super grinder, regular grinder, or tile saw, you'll want to try to provide some shape to reduce the amount of tumbling time after grinding out the flaws. Regardless, you'll have to start them in the rough grind again, unless you really work at them with the wheel.
If you get a tile saw, stand behind it so that the water sprays away from you.
Some material will never produce a nice tumble; just as you get through some of the pits, new ones will appear. Ask connrock about his tumbling competition material.
Chuck
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Post by parfive on Oct 14, 2011 13:30:57 GMT -5
Rudy – No need for the stacked blade setup, one does the job just fine. Also, you can’t cut a rock in half or slice it with the stacked setup.
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