RockyBeach
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2023
Posts: 240
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Post by RockyBeach on Jul 10, 2023 20:07:42 GMT -5
I noted in the instructions for using the HF tumbler that it should be opened up every day or so to release potential gas buildup. I read somewhere or other that adding a couple of TUMS would help alleviate the problem ... the author said that he preferred the cherry flavored ones. I have been doing both with the latest stage 1 tumbles as I noticed bulges in the bottoms of the barrels despite the use of the TUMS. Would using baking soda be more effective than TUMS and if so, how much per 3 pound tumble ? Comments and / or advise would be appreciated.
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,595
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Post by dillonf on Jul 10, 2023 21:03:43 GMT -5
Looks like those barrels have the same tops as the lortone barrels. If so, I don't think you have to worry about burping them unless you are tumbling stones known to release gas.
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Post by Son Of Beach on Jul 10, 2023 21:57:46 GMT -5
Don't be afraid to peak at them until you get the hang of it. Some stones give off more gas the others. You might see bubbles in the slurry as a good indicator.
Nothing wrong with looking early, better that than a big mess on the table.
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RockyBeach
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2023
Posts: 240
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Post by RockyBeach on Jul 10, 2023 23:17:08 GMT -5
Looks like those barrels have the same tops as the lortone barrels. If so, I don't think you have to worry about burping them unless you are tumbling stones known to release gas. Thing is, I am tumbling beach and river rocks and gravel and have no idea what they are and how gaseous they might be. I have noticed that the bottoms of the barrels occasionally are "puffed out" rather than flat which makes the twin barrels really fill the roller space quite tightly. I wonder if that might be what caused the barrel knob to work it self under the motor cover which caused the machine to burn out (mentioned in an earlier thread). Am probably being paranoid and over cautious after losing 2 out of 3 HF machines.
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,595
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Post by dillonf on Jul 11, 2023 5:23:45 GMT -5
Looks like those barrels have the same tops as the lortone barrels. If so, I don't think you have to worry about burping them unless you are tumbling stones known to release gas. Thing is, I am tumbling beach and river rocks and gravel and have no idea what they are and how gaseous they might be. I have noticed that the bottoms of the barrels occasionally are "puffed out" rather than flat which makes the twin barrels really fill the roller space quite tightly. I wonder if that might be what caused the barrel knob to work it self under the motor cover which caused the machine to burn out (mentioned in an earlier thread). Am probably being paranoid and over cautious after losing 2 out of 3 HF machines. Wow. I do not think you are being over cautious. If the bottom is bulging that is a pretty clear indicator of gas build up. That is very interesting. I tumble a lot of Texas river and creek rocks (no beach stuff) and have never had this issue? If I was you I'd try to figure out if it is something other than the rocks. I'd run a batch of red jasper with nothing but water and grit, and see if you have gas build up - if so it is likely your water. Have you ever just run the rocks with only grit and water (no soap or other additives)? If it is the rocks you should be able to open the top every 2 days or so, but that is annoying, because you'd have to clean the barrel rim and inner lid gasket each time. Good luck! Hope you don't burn out another machine!
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RockyBeach
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2023
Posts: 240
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Post by RockyBeach on Jul 11, 2023 5:51:55 GMT -5
dillonfI run batches with only rocks, water and grit until the later stages when I do Borax runs in between grit changes. I think I will add some baking soda in one of the next batches and see what happens. Last night I happened to do an extra check of the machines after only a few hours and lo and behold, I apparently had not replaced the inner lid properly. The resulting mess will be properly dealt with this morning. Ugh!
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RockyBeach
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2023
Posts: 240
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Post by RockyBeach on Jul 11, 2023 11:28:31 GMT -5
@hefty Yep..it seems to be happening only with the first round of tumbling. Now that I know to check for "bulging bottoms" and burp the baby if needed, hopefully some of the problems will be avoided.
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Post by Pat on Jul 11, 2023 11:36:33 GMT -5
News to me. I didn’t know rocks had gas. How did they get gas? What kind of gas?
Does the grit contribute all or some of the gas?
Do certain types of rocks always get the same gas? Interesting. Thanks.
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Post by youp50 on Jul 11, 2023 12:28:24 GMT -5
If the bottom of any of my barrels, and the tops of some that are fernco caps, bulge. Burp them. The barrel bulge is telling you the pressure is increasing, let the pressure out. I would highly recommend burping Lortone style barrels away from your face. A little mud may not hurt, a chunk of large grit SiC in your eye may cause some pain.
Lots of gas in glass...
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RockyBeach
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2023
Posts: 240
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Post by RockyBeach on Jul 11, 2023 13:49:32 GMT -5
youp50 have you tried either TUMS or Baking soda (or both) ? If so, any success ?
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Post by Starguy on Jul 11, 2023 14:07:10 GMT -5
Yup. Glass and by association, obsidian are pressure building. I only burp barrels if I see bulging on my daily checks. I would think Tums might add to the problem.
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,595
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Post by dillonf on Jul 11, 2023 18:51:51 GMT -5
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RockyBeach
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2023
Posts: 240
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Post by RockyBeach on Jul 11, 2023 19:25:47 GMT -5
Very helpful thread .. I bumped it so that it could help even more new posters avoid some potential problems. Thanks for the link !
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,595
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Post by dillonf on Jul 11, 2023 20:22:11 GMT -5
Very helpful thread .. I bumped it so that it could help even more new posters avoid some potential problems. Thanks for the link ! No problem! I had this vague memory of reading about this at some point, but at my age - who knows But, I was able to track down the thread! My memory of that thread is what made me think it may be the water . . .Hope you get it figured out!
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RockyBeach
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2023
Posts: 240
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Post by RockyBeach on Jul 11, 2023 20:33:29 GMT -5
Very helpful thread .. I bumped it so that it could help even more new posters avoid some potential problems. Thanks for the link ! No problem! I had this vague memory of reading about this at some point, but at my age - who knows But, I was able to track down the thread! My memory of that thread is what made me think it may be the water . . .Hope you get it figured out! Just knowing that the problems have happened to others and that there are things to try to fix things helps a lot ! I now know to check for the bulges and that in itself may extend the lifespan of tumbler #3 ! (I hope!!!) I also took off the motor cover so can check the belts more easily and the knob can no longer get stuck under the motor cover. Baby steps !
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Post by youp50 on Jul 11, 2023 20:35:24 GMT -5
I have never tried to add anything to deal with pressure build up, just burp the barrel. If you watch the bottom of the barrel, most of the time it caves in a little, negative pressure. I just ignore that. I did have a Thumlers lid squirt out slurry, when on a shelf, all over stuff I did not want muddy. Burp em.
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Post by velodromed on Jul 13, 2023 19:58:58 GMT -5
Ok, this post answered my last post in your other post. Or something like that lol. I see you have a double harbor freight tumbler. In over a year of tumbling I’ve never had one swell. I always watch for it though. I I have a 1lb nat geo, double 3lb wire jewelry tumbler, 3lb tall barrel tumbler and rebel 17 tumbler. I like to pick the barrels up every day or two and turn a few times in my hand. Sometimes it seems like the rocks would get stuck in a constant cycle that would make some ‘duck bill’ or odd shaped. So I try to mixed them up a bit. Also gives me a chance to inspect the barrels for any issues. I use regular tap water and a mix of 30-60-90 grit. The 30 grit is mostly for the big tumbler, but I like to throw a tsp or two in the smaller ones also. Seems to really work well. I rinse the rocks off prior to tumbling but that’s it for preparation.
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