Debs
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,252
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Debs
Mar 8, 2005 14:43:08 GMT -5
Post by Debs on Mar 8, 2005 14:43:08 GMT -5
Grit numbers/Tumbling times
Can you tell me the order of grit you use and the amount of time in each of them? As I have been surfing the board reading, and I noticed there seems to be a variation of both. Thanks much!
Also, does keeping them tumbling longer in each of these, make the stones turn out better? Just wondering...
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deepsouth
fully equipped rock polisher
He who rocks last rocks best
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,256
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Debs
Mar 8, 2005 15:20:32 GMT -5
Post by deepsouth on Mar 8, 2005 15:20:32 GMT -5
Welcome to this board Debs, all and everyone of us rocks.
Re your question as far as grits goes. The Lortone book that comes with a Lortone tumbler puts it clearly in stages and grits. stage 1 coarse grit 60/90 1 week ...........2 medium grit 220 1 week 3 fine grit 600 1 week ........... 4 polish 1 week
As you have noticed there are variations. I found it essential to do a soapwash inbetween stages and I do soapwash after medium grit and so on. It is very important not to transfer coarse grit to medium stage and so on . Some types of hard rock need more than 1 week in coarse grit until you are happy with the shape of the rocks. depending on the size of rocks you tumble , you may leave them in longer especialy if the rocks are of bigger size with few smaller ones. It then takes longer for the grit to break down .
Good luck on your rocky road to glossy stardom.
Jack
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Debs
Mar 8, 2005 16:06:38 GMT -5
Post by rollingstone on Mar 8, 2005 16:06:38 GMT -5
Debs, it's a hugely complex question because there are so many variables involved, including personal preference and maybe even luck Jack gives a very good concise version. Beyond that, the complexities really start to come out. I guess I would just add that if you want really nicely shaped rocks, then usually several weeks of 60/90 are needed, cleaning things out and recharging every week. Also, some people add a 1000 grit stage, and it does seem to improve things, although isn't absolutely necessary... the other stages are necessary. I think it is generally accepted that going longer than a week in the stages after 60/90 is not adding anything since these stages are just meant to get rid of the scratches from the previous step, and they do that within a week. I'm not entirely convinced of this... I think that on particularly hard stones a bit longer might add something extra, maybe I'll try to test this out sometime... oops, see, now things are getting complex...
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Debs
Mar 8, 2005 17:22:45 GMT -5
Post by chassroc on Mar 8, 2005 17:22:45 GMT -5
Hi Debs, Welcome to the group. I would start simple (with the Lortone tumbling instructions as related by Jack). You need a foundation to grow on and this is solid. This assumes you have a rotary(the most common type), not a vibrational tumbler. I used these instructions and was absolutely happy with my first batch. Remember not to dispose of anything in your house drains, it can clog your pipes terribly. Intuitively, the longer you stay in a single stage, the better(smoother) the rocks will be. There is a point of diminishing returns, meaning that 14 days is not twice as good as 7. It is more likely to be 1.x times as good and you need to judge if (for arguments sake) 1.1 times is worth an extra week. In the beginning it may not be; as time goes by it might. Good luck and start tumbling csroc
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Debs
Mar 8, 2005 21:19:32 GMT -5
Post by BearCreekLapidary on Mar 8, 2005 21:19:32 GMT -5
Welcome Debs,
I use a vibe tumbler ... so my grit quantity and sequence is much different than a traditional tumbler.
Follow the advise you receive from the others on the board and you'll soon be a tumbling pro ;D
John Southwestern Kansas
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Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Debs
Mar 8, 2005 22:08:47 GMT -5
Post by Banjocreek on Mar 8, 2005 22:08:47 GMT -5
This is a repeat from question below. I don't know what happened but here is a copy of my 2¢.
You're right Debs, you're going to get a lot of different answers to this one, but here is what I do. 60/90- 1 week, rinse and repeat Usually 3 weeks sometimes one sometimes 6. Depending on the stone. This is probably the most important as far as ridding the stones of vugs, corners and pits. 120/220- 1 week 500- 1 week 1000 or SISA-1 week Titanium oxide- 1 week
Thats it for me. It never varies much other than the type of polish I may use or the time spent in 60/90
-Banjo
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