Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2014 16:10:34 GMT -5
Oh thanks Nick but I'm not gonna take your rocks, those are yours, I only got 1 3lb tumbler so till I finally master what I have going now I think I'm fine.....I don't want to keep giving up on batch after batch and become a failure, I have no Idea why my first batch went semi successful, but haven't had luck since....Im starting to though after all your guys advice......I just gotta see what happens next clean up.......by then hopefully ill have some more coarse grit.......down the road I guess we could do a trade or something in that nature though if you have some left over, maybe for my misfit aquas, who knows you might be able to make them better looking than I have so far
Chris
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1nickthegreek
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 382
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Post by 1nickthegreek on May 4, 2014 17:17:21 GMT -5
Oh thanks Nick but I'm not gonna take your rocks, those are yours, I only got 1 3lb tumbler so till I finally master what I have going now I think I'm fine.....I don't want to keep giving up on batch after batch and become a failure, I have no Idea why my first batch went semi successful, but haven't had luck since....Im starting to though after all your guys advice......I just gotta see what happens next clean up.......by then hopefully ill have some more coarse grit.......down the road I guess we could do a trade or something in that nature though if you have some left over, maybe for my misfit aquas, who knows you might be able to make them better looking than I have so far Chris I have so much stuff already and will have a ton more this week, PM me your address and I will send you a gift of some tumbling rough and enough grits to do a full polish just out of the goodness of my heart
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2014 18:59:23 GMT -5
If I do need help I will let you know buddy, and I added you on fb
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1nickthegreek
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 382
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Post by 1nickthegreek on May 7, 2014 17:37:12 GMT -5
If I do need help I will let you know buddy, and I added you on fb
Sounds good man!!!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2014 22:50:45 GMT -5
This was a great idea just not for me, I will be going back to bottom of top layer of rocks...cyall
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stephent
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 213
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Post by stephent on May 9, 2014 23:17:41 GMT -5
First load of 60/90 grit will make a thick slurry in a hurry of some types of rocks...softer ones. It will slow grinding or lock up tumbling sometimes when thick enuff.. If ya don't hear some rocks moving well inside after a couple of days..add a few tbsp (tablespoons) of water. After 3-4 days it "should" be making a bit more noise as they slick the corners off and move better...or if not the slurry is probably too thick as the rocks grind down. Some "pea-gravel" is soft and will grind into a mud quick...like sandstone gravel will. Second load of coarse grit usually fares slightly better with the slurry not getting so thick as quick with low water level tumbling.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on May 12, 2014 11:38:16 GMT -5
I have been using this "recharge" method in my 3# tumblers for about 6 weeks now. I've got 2 Lortone 33b's and all four barrels are running coarse grit right now. I think for the 3 pounders I will make this my norm. In the past, using Lortones formula, 4tbs. grit and a weekly clean out I was always getting leftover grit. Seemed a waste. To date I have seen little to no grit left after the third week and have cleaned out, sorted, and restarted.
It's too soon to tell if this will get me rocks for step 2 any faster. I don't think that the small barrels are very aggressive compared to say 6 pound or larger. I have yet to try this in my 6 pounders. After 7 days I don't find leftover grits and I think I would have a more difficult time judging how much filler to put in for the 2/3rds fill.
Next weekend I'll likely be cleaning out two of the 3# barrels. One has mixed jaspers and the other has crazy lace, turritella, and dalmation. It will be interesting to see their progress as each will be at the end of their third week from scratch. Any one following want to see pics?
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stephent
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 213
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Post by stephent on May 12, 2014 11:45:52 GMT -5
yes...please post pics. If you post it..they will follow.. (ripping off and mutilating a line from a movie)
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on May 20, 2014 11:41:20 GMT -5
John, hope you don't mind me jumping in here.... Both of these started at appx. 2/3rds full, with 1/2 cup water and 2tbs. 80 grit. First recharge was 2 tbs. 80 grit as was the second recharge. Also added a couple ounces of rock each week to keep the volume up. Barrel on the left is crazy lace, turritella and dalmation. Early slurrys always seem to be red with the lace, matrix I presume. On the right are various jaspers (best of my limited knowledge) from commercial mixes. As you can see the slurry is very thick after 3 weeks. I cleaned these out and started the next three week cycle on 5/18. The grit was all used up. The only particles I found were the few that always collect on the rim and some that was lodged in the cracks of the jaspers. I was hoping that the dalmation would stain red from the slurry. Thought that would make it more interesting. Didn't happen.
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1nickthegreek
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 382
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Post by 1nickthegreek on May 21, 2014 23:59:02 GMT -5
Just rinsed and recharged my 6# drum of Virgin Valley Agates again tonight, nice VERY thick slurry, but not an extra grain of grit anywhere in the barrel so I am loving the 3# recipe just doubled to 4 tbsp grit and 12 tbsp H2O!!!!
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Jun 1, 2014 1:48:34 GMT -5
So I've been a *little* busy for a few weeks, but tonight I cracked open the 3# barrel and had a look: I rinsed everything and several were ready to move on: And most weren't: I filled in with some small tumbling mix: And sent it back tumbling. I also fired the vibe up because I had a few pounds of other stuff ready as well.
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Post by snowmom on Jun 1, 2014 5:34:09 GMT -5
I just want to say as a new learner this thread has been so useful, questions and answers all in one thread... school of rock LOL. Watching ( and taking notes) with interest. Grateful for the thread, thanks!
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hornseeker
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 268
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Post by hornseeker on Oct 15, 2014 10:05:40 GMT -5
I see I will need to pour some water out!! In my 12# barrel I filled rocks up to 3/4 and water to just up below last layer of rocks!!
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Post by captbob on Oct 15, 2014 10:30:58 GMT -5
I see I will need to pour some water out!! In my 12# barrel I filled rocks up to 3/4 and water to just up below last layer of rocks!! It really depends on what you're doing and, to a degree, what kinda rocks you are tumbling. On a coarse grit stage, you are looking for grinding/shaping of your material. Less water is fine as that allows a more aggressive tumble. As you advance through the steps, the water helps buffer the rocks smashing together. I go lighter on water at the start and add more (and more filler / cushioning) as the steps progress. Guess we all have our own methods, and you'll refine yours over time. The trial & error and experimentation is part of the fun.
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