shelikesrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2019
Posts: 2
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Post by shelikesrocks on Dec 28, 2019 1:48:46 GMT -5
Hey all! I was gifted a Lortone rotary tumbler model 33B and have been running my first load since 12/22/19. One barrel is jasper. The other white quartz. All collected from the same area of Texas. The quartz barrel has been used once by the previous owner and is running well. The jasper is in a previously unused barrel and is getting bubbly - which led me to this forum. I did wash all my rocks with a toothbrush and powdered soap, it smelled like ivory in an unmarked bag that came with the set up. I have been burping/checking both about every 24 hours. I skipped the 48 hour check and I first noticed the bubbles on the third day,at 72 hours. Per this forum, I’ll be picking up some Borax tomorrow and adding a teaspoon to both barrels. I will also tumble in Borax and water between cycles after rinsing. I’ve been collecting rocks for a few years now but have just started to refresh my MOHS skills from college geology class so I can begin to sort my collection for future tumbles. I saw that is group has a meetup in Quartzite, Arizona which is less than 50 miles from my home. I might have to pop in even though I avoid ‘going to town’ as much as possible during the winter. Look forward to learning from this wealth of knowledge! 🤘
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Post by RocksInNJ on Dec 28, 2019 2:09:49 GMT -5
Welcome from New Jersey.
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Post by knave on Dec 28, 2019 5:20:53 GMT -5
Hello and welcome shelikesrocks. Really like the username. Jealous that you’re so close to Quartzite. I’m from Wisconsin and also newer to rocks.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 28, 2019 9:55:42 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona (Prescott area)!
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Post by TheRock on Dec 28, 2019 10:10:22 GMT -5
from SW/Michigan
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,676
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Post by Fossilman on Dec 28, 2019 10:17:01 GMT -5
Don't worry about the bubbles and continue tumbling.... Some material does that once in awhile...
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EricD
Cave Dweller
High in the Mountains
Member since November 2019
Posts: 1,142
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Post by EricD on Dec 28, 2019 11:26:27 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH, and happy new year!
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Post by greig on Dec 28, 2019 11:32:42 GMT -5
Welcome from Ontario, Canada. IMHO Tumbling self collected rocks is the best! No worries about foam. Usually it is a mild reaction from your rocks or possibly a bit of soap still on them. However, if you are getting gas in the barrel (you will see the rubber barrel bottom start to push out), then immediately burp it (remove the lid to release the gas) and then keep a really good eye on the tumbler and burp it often. If you let the gas build up too much then the lid will pop off and make a mess.
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stonemon
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2017
Posts: 1,024
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Post by stonemon on Dec 28, 2019 11:45:15 GMT -5
Welcome from western Oregon!
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Post by aDave on Dec 28, 2019 13:39:19 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum.
As others have mentioned, don't worry about the foam. Just stay on top of it to be sure it doesn't over-pressure and cause the lid to come off. Some material will cause foam early on in the coarse stage and many believe it's related to some organic material that may be on the rocks. After a few days or so, foam should no longer be a concern.
IMHO, there's really no need to add to Borax to the different stages with your rotary. Folks generally add it to vibratory tumblers. If you want to use it, run it (alone) in-between any stages where you might want to do some additional cleaning. But, most often, it's used following your polish stage as a final burnish. Others may have an opinion that differs, but having Borax in your cleanouts may make it difficult to dispose of your slurries. Borax can kill plants, so you may be limiting yourself where you can dump it.
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