dionne
off to a rocking start
Hello - I’m old. But I’m new to the forum so that must count for something.
Member since April 2023
Posts: 7
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Post by dionne on May 25, 2023 2:56:48 GMT -5
Hello - I’m new to both the Art and the Forum. So I’m reading RockTumblers.com for their recipes on particular stones and they are giving instructions about adding such and such grit and also the Media to help balance and cushion the churn - nice, precise measurements. I like that. But they say to add the amount of grit to the “material.” Hey, I was an English Major and I know what that word means. But … does “material” mean only the stones? Or does “material” include both the stones and the ceramics? I’m using some big barrels and the difference could be substantial. So … what the hell does “material” mean? My friends call me “Skippy” - because I let them. My question concerns the amount of grit - so adding a teaspoon to the weight of just the stones will be different than adding a teaspoon to the weight of both stones and media.
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Post by vegasjames on May 25, 2023 4:41:05 GMT -5
Welcome from Southern Nevada.
I would say the grit amount would be based on barrel size, and not weight of the materials. Never understood why they say 3 pound or 12 pound barrels as the barrels obviously do not weigh that much as density of rocks that can be tumbled can vary a lot. So a, let's say, 3 pound barrel can be filled with more or less than 3 pounds of rock, water and grit depending on the density of the rocks. Maybe this is based on a particular type of stone such as chalcedonies.
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,330
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Post by rocknewb101 on May 25, 2023 7:49:40 GMT -5
Hello dionne and welcome to the forum and the arts. I think you'll find as you continue on that there isn't a one size fits all recipe for tumbling. I've always heard, but don't always follow the rule of thumb for 1 tbls of grit per pound of barrel. so if you have a 3lb barrel you'll use 3 tbls of grit. IMO that's sometimes too much and I find I have grit that hasn't been used up at the end of the week (I check and change my barrels after 7 days of rolling). There are tons of others here who use bigger barrels and can comment on if they use 12 tbls for a 12lb barrel - my biggest is a 3lb. I also think what material you are putting in your barrel can also make a difference. A softer stone may not require as much grit (or as long to roll). Good luck! Please feel free to ask any and all questions - this is a great group with a vast amount of knowledge
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Post by jasoninsd on May 25, 2023 8:01:00 GMT -5
Hey Skippy! Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! Interesting catch. Under normal circumstances, I would define "material" as the rocks themselves. However, in the context it's being used in the directions, I would take it as the rocks and media.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on May 25, 2023 10:04:14 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona! I don't tumble, but I do speak English. I would also translate "material" to mean anything that's in the barrel. If they meant just rocks, they wouldn't have used the word "material".
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dionne
off to a rocking start
Hello - I’m old. But I’m new to the forum so that must count for something.
Member since April 2023
Posts: 7
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Post by dionne on May 25, 2023 10:11:07 GMT -5
Thanks to all for the response. I think jasoninsd hit the nail on the head. Context counts. So anyway, I’m going with the general 1tbl per Barrel Pound with exceptions for softer stones and other more needy stones. Spring finally came to Michigan. Rob must be out on some lonely beach already. Skippy
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Post by Starguy on May 25, 2023 13:36:48 GMT -5
Hi Skippy dionne. Welcome from Idaho.
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chris1956
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2022
Posts: 1,258
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Post by chris1956 on May 25, 2023 14:00:56 GMT -5
Hello from Missouri. I was an engineer, so I will let others comment on the meaning of "material".
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Post by jasoninsd on May 25, 2023 23:42:51 GMT -5
Thanks to all for the response. I think jasoninsd hit the nail on the head. Context counts. So anyway, I’m going with the general 1tbl per Barrel Pound with exceptions for softer stones and other more needy stones. Spring finally came to Michigan. Rob must be out on some lonely beach already. Skippy Oh believe you me, I'm just as likely to hit the nail as I am my thumb! LOL Rob's probably still resting from his LONG road trip he just got back from...and trying to recover from the 3 days he spent at my house on the way home! LOL
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on May 26, 2023 9:19:39 GMT -5
Material is what Girls Like.
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