herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Jan 14, 2012 21:46:33 GMT -5
Took this with my phone, just opened our 3 1.5# lortone barrels after 2 weeks of tumbling, pulled everything out, cleaned it off and we had about 1/3 of one barrel that was totally smooth. We cleaned them meticulously and filled the barrel the rest of the way with ceramic media and sent it on to stage 2 tumble. I put the rest back in 2 barrels with fresh 60/90 grit. I did use less water this time than Lortone says to use, since last time I dumped quite a bit out to get a good slurry. I did start a new batch in my new qt66, filling both 6# barrels with a nice mix of agates. Got the new tumbler this week from the folks at the Rock Shed. I know this is just a piddly little bit but we are having fun and are all excited. Thanks for having a look. Attachments:
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Jan 14, 2012 22:19:03 GMT -5
It's like Christmas every time you pop the lid! Keep posting, we're looking.
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keystonecops
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2010
Posts: 957
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Post by keystonecops on Jan 14, 2012 23:26:21 GMT -5
I agree bout the Christmas. Im that way evry time I open my barrells. Youll never look up again. Any place that has rock keep yer eyes open. I find a lot of good rock right by the RR tracks. Even got the guys pickn up rock fer me. Later Clyde
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Post by frane on Jan 15, 2012 8:48:07 GMT -5
Looks like you are off to a good start! I have found if I place the rock in the barrel along with ceramics (if that is what you are using for filler) then add the water to the bottom of the top row, then add the grit, you will get a good slurry. If you use plastic pellets, it is a bit harder but fill the water to the bottom of the top row of rocks before adding plastic pellets and then add grit. Unless I have more than half plastic pellets, seems to work well for me. Fran
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Jan 15, 2012 9:02:45 GMT -5
Lookin' good! Waiting for rocks to finish a stage always reminds me of the Carly Simon song "Anticipation".
Bill
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albertarockhound
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Spending too much time on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 92
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Post by albertarockhound on Jan 15, 2012 9:10:58 GMT -5
Looks good. Less water than Lortone says makes for a better grind and a nicer slurry. Brenda
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Jan 15, 2012 20:25:45 GMT -5
Well I uploaded the pics so I can link to the larger image here. Sorry they are fuzzy, I took them in the dark-ish garage with my phone. Closeup of the first batch, going back to redo stage 1 60/90: The work area for our little operation: I organized our rock shelves. For perspective, three weeks ago we had the little tumbler and nothing else. In fairness, a lot of this is parts for the combination machine I have on the way which will need a good amount of repair.
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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 Jan 16, 2012 0:14:43 GMT -5
I pick rock from all around Minnesota, and the part I like best is opening a barrel and finding beautiful rocks I don't recognize: As in, "Where did this come from? I don't remember any rough like this."
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jan 16, 2012 4:32:32 GMT -5
Looks good keep them comming
Photoing - try outside or a good lighting in side
thanks for showing your enthusiasm inspires me, ( I have shut down till its a bit warmer and less frost )
Jack Yorkshire UK
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Jan 16, 2012 12:00:45 GMT -5
Thanks all.
John (Jack) - I have a full photo studio in the basement, but I didn't want to drag all the grit and mess down there. I will try to get better light in the garage for the "in progress" shots!
It is intermittently cold and reasonably warm here, I can generally tolerate the garage though as long as I am using warm water. We have to carry it out because we don't have a faucet out there.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jan 18, 2012 3:36:58 GMT -5
Look forward to the "In progress reports " great to see the progress
Jack Yorkshire uk
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Post by MyNewHobby on Jan 19, 2012 23:40:05 GMT -5
I have to say I agree .... running your first batches and feeling your way through how to work them is fascinating!!
You could not have a better bunch of teachers and fans here.
Enjoy!
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