johnthor1963
starting to spend too much on rocks
Cattle dogs rock
Member since June 2023
Posts: 137
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Post by johnthor1963 on Aug 19, 2023 9:54:15 GMT -5
Hello from Indiana ,Fort Wayne to be exact lol. Signed up in July and have been looking at a lot of wonderful stuff here. I have a few questions about my rebel 17 tumbler I’m hoping you all can help. First off I weigh my rocks I select for tumbling and my barrel trying to to keep it under 17 pounds fully loaded and ready to tumble. Well I’m almost always over like 19 pounds. Am I correct at thinking this way 17 pound tumbler should weigh 17 pounds max. The first batch I turned out I never paid attention to anything but moving to the next step and then finished rocks. They turned out pretty good for first time. Sorry no pics for they were snatched up by friends and family as soon as they were dry lol. (I’m still trying to figure out how to put pictures up. But now I’m paying more attention and I’m noticing at bottom of barrel the slurry is settling ,while it is rotating and when I do a quick check on the progress of things I’m finding about a 1/4”to1/2” build up and rocks imbedded in what I would call thick stiff slurry that holds the rocks to the bottom when dumped out. Well I thank you for reading this.
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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 Aug 19, 2023 10:19:07 GMT -5
to the best rock hobby board on the planet ! It will be interesting to see the replies to your questions as the answers often apply even if you are using different equipment.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 19, 2023 11:28:11 GMT -5
Is there a tumbling FAQ here that I don't know about? If there is/were this would likely be one of the questions. Right along with "why can't I get these rocks to shine" question. I mean that in the best of humor as I vaguely remember asking the same myself...
Save the "stress" about weight and follow the 2/3 to 3/4 full barrel guideline. That volume allows for the best tumbling action in almost every instance. That volume also means that the tumbling barrel, regardless of manufacturer, will weigh more than the 3,6,12,17 whatever rated pounds. Mine have always run "heavy" and I notice no harm to the machines beyond what should be considered normal wear.
The debate about why that is true goes on but the facts remain the same... humor thing again ... hope this helps.
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Post by vegasjames on Aug 19, 2023 12:07:23 GMT -5
Welcome from Southern Nevada.
I do not weigh out my rocks. I just fill the barrels most the way with the rocks and chips making sure there is room for some movement. I even shake the barrels after sealed up to listen to make sure they are free to mover around.
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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 19, 2023 22:18:17 GMT -5
I'd say welcome to the forum from South Dakota...but you've been here awhile! LOL I'm glad you're posting your questions! Looks like there's been some good responses so far!!
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dshanpnw
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2020
Posts: 892
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Post by dshanpnw on Aug 20, 2023 7:02:22 GMT -5
Welcome from Washington state. Our state gem is petrified wood. I always fill the barrel to the recommended 3/4 full, water to below the top row if rocks and the recommended amount of grit per pound. Sometimes the barrel feels quite heavy. This method works almost every single time. How much grit is at the bottom when you do clean-outs? A lot or a little? And, does it happen with every batch? You might try leaving it run for a couple more days longer or next time reduce the amount of grit you use. It does take trial and error sometimes to getting it just right depending on your tumbler type and the type of rocks. I used to stress about doing everything just as prescribed to the tumbler's instructions. I have a learned over two years how to get it just right.
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johnthor1963
starting to spend too much on rocks
Cattle dogs rock
Member since June 2023
Posts: 137
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Post by johnthor1963 on Aug 20, 2023 7:18:25 GMT -5
Thank you for the responses and the welcomes. I think that my first batch of rocks I tumbled I just read instructions and followed them not paying attention to weight just filling tumbler 2/3 full and away I went. Now being new to it every thing was going ok until about week 3 when I started thinking and reading and deciding there has to be more to this. Lol That’s about the time I started making it more complicated weighing everything and getting impatient lol I’m sure I’m not the only one. The amazing thing is a little water and some grit and 5 -6 weeks can produce such fantastic results out of something you pick up out of a creek bed or the middle of the woods. I’m still trying to figure out how to get pictures uploaded to share with you all thx again for the help. Be well.
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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 Aug 20, 2023 7:41:48 GMT -5
Thank you for the responses and the welcomes. I think that my first batch of rocks I tumbled I just read instructions and followed them not paying attention to weight just filling tumbler 2/3 full and away I went. Now being new to it every thing was going ok until about week 3 when I started thinking and reading and deciding there has to be more to this. Lol That’s about the time I started making it more complicated weighing everything and getting impatient lol I’m sure I’m not the only one. The amazing thing is a little water and some grit and 5 -6 weeks can produce such fantastic results out of something you pick up out of a creek bed or the middle of the woods. I too am in the overthinking stage of this fun new hobby ! This is a great place to get answers to the reams of questions that crop up !
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Aug 20, 2023 9:05:15 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona! You can set up a Cloudinary account and start posting pictures right away. Go here for instructions. This is the newbie group photo posting account. You can upload your photos there until you set up your own personal Cloudinary account (free), but it takes a little time to do it. The tutorial for that is Cloudinary Tutorial. Follow every step EXACTLY. Then all you have to do it click the Cloudinary Upload button to post pictures.
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