chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Feb 10, 2005 11:19:15 GMT -5
:)I tumble in a 3# lortone and save the surries from various stages and add that to the next batch. 8-)My idea is that if creating a slurry is desireable why not jump start the process. ???Am I fooling myself?
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Feb 10, 2005 13:25:25 GMT -5
I can't see that it would do any harm, and it may well jump-start the slurry, but it sounds kind of messy. Another way you could jump-start your slurry is to use much less water than recommended so that the slurry forms quickly, then open the barrel in a day or two and dilute it with water if it looks like it is getting too thick.
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Post by sandsman1 on Feb 10, 2005 13:47:55 GMT -5
i think rollin has the right idea --i think when you save slurry your just bringing the mud from the last grind to the next ---what i mean is all the rock you just ground off in the last run is in that slurry and i think it would slow down the grind on a fresh batch buy coating the new grit with the mud --but thats just my thoughts on it i could be wrong
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Feb 10, 2005 13:55:00 GMT -5
I've done both and have not noticed any difference- So now I save the slurry in case I run outta grit- then at least I can keep the machine a rolling!
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Post by Tweetiepy on Feb 10, 2005 14:31:25 GMT -5
I've done both and have not noticed any difference- So now I save the slurry in case I run outta grit- then at least I can keep the machine a rolling! That's pretty bad! - but I can sympathise with you - I'm just itching for my tumbler to get in - I'm following the tracking progress of my package and I just KNOW that my mailman won't knock at my door to deliver my package so I won't get it before tomorrow or next week and I could just SCREAM! I'm okay now!
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Post by Cher on Feb 10, 2005 14:36:05 GMT -5
I set up two barrels, same stuff in them and started at the same time. One with plain water, one with the mix. It seemed to me that the one with the mix showed more shaping so now I do it all the time.
What I've found is not to make it too thick when you reuse it. I've got a container that I dump mine into when I open a barrel. When I start a new one, I use half water, half slurry. There is definitely a point where you can get it too thick ... mud doesn't work well at all.
Cher
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Post by creativeminded on Feb 10, 2005 15:34:13 GMT -5
I don't mess with it. I use one bucket to do the main rinse of all stages, let it settle until the water is clear and then pour off the clear water, now when my bucket gets too full or the water won't settle I pour it outside in one corner that won't grow anything anyway. I use a second bucket to do a final rinse. My grit is usually expended by the time the stage is through. Tami
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Feb 11, 2005 8:02:50 GMT -5
How long will grit last- I have pulled some course that was running for 2 weeks and there was still a lot of shiny pieces in the bottom of the barrel- According to theory the grit will break apart exposing more sharp cutting edges until it becomes to small to become effective- So if you charge the initial tumble with a healthy dose- and just let it spin- the possibility that you could actually move from the course to pre polish stage without having to use the 120/220 stage exists- Hmmm I feel an expieriment coming on.
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Post by Cher on Feb 11, 2005 11:27:13 GMT -5
Sometimes the grit can literally stick to the bottom of the barrel ... don't know how or why since the barrels are rolling but I've had it happen. Doc told me to shake them like you would a can of stain. I seldom find any grit since I started doing this.
Someone else had mentioned leaving a barrel with coarse grit run for something like 6 months, never messing with it producde nicely polished stones. NOT that I could ever leave a barrel alone that long ... ;D I have a hard time leaving them for two weeks to polish.
If you do an experiment, keep good records so you can share with us.
Cher
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Feb 11, 2005 15:20:35 GMT -5
The guys running 20+ pound tumblers have two stages. Coarse for like two months, then whap into polish.
Sweeeeeeeet.
Grit breaks itself down over time, doing the work of the intermediate stages. Don't remember the exact numbers; prolly only useful if you're running massive machines at higher speeds. Something to think about though.
And no, I don't save the slurry; I'd just forget what grit it was and would worry about bits of quartz etc. screwing up the grind of softer stones.
SirRoxalot
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