blr2449
has rocks in the head
Can I retire now?
Member since January 2011
Posts: 554
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Post by blr2449 on Jun 7, 2011 18:14:19 GMT -5
What's a good length of time for the interim washes ( I use 20 Muleteam borax) between grit step tumbles? A couple of days?
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Post by parfive on Jun 7, 2011 19:02:37 GMT -5
There’s no need for an extended interim wash or burnish between stages. You’re gonna be throwing the rocks right back into fresh grit, no? So why bother?
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Post by johnjsgems on Jun 7, 2011 19:28:52 GMT -5
I would burnish between last grit step and polish overnight, then overnight again after polish. If you are not advancing pitted/fractured rocks there isn't a need to burnish between grit steps. A good rinse will work.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jun 8, 2011 0:42:27 GMT -5
I only wash till the water is clear in between stages I do a 48hr Burnish wash before the pre polish stage 1000 Grit See forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=tottumb&action=display&thread=45585As john says above they are going into the same ( broken down) grit if not a rougher grit why bother ? & Watch for cavities in rocks thy can be a problem , But they should not realy be there ? Do you add a little Borax to the Tumble mixture ? you should Jack Yorkshire uk
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blr2449
has rocks in the head
Can I retire now?
Member since January 2011
Posts: 554
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Post by blr2449 on Jun 8, 2011 11:35:59 GMT -5
Thank you for all the answers. From what I'd read (elsewhere ) I got the impression that a wash between steps was good. When one step is done, I strain out the rocks, save the slurry for the next group, rinse/wash the stones, do a quick wash step, check rocks for any that aren't good, and load the tumbler (rinsed out) for the next grit step. Right now, my current tumble is ready for pre-polish. I guess this will save me some time and electricity. And I DIDN'T know about adding some of the borax to each tumble step. Why is that? I appreciate all help. Barb
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jun 9, 2011 0:41:05 GMT -5
Hi barb,
Borax is used in the Laundry business
My understanding of it is that it helps keep the mud/dust mobile so you get a good wash, it also stops Gas build up I think
Im sure the proffesionals will comment on this
Jack Yorkshire uk
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Post by rocklicker on Jun 9, 2011 12:08:09 GMT -5
I use ivory soap between stages for a wash. A shaving or two off a bar of soap does the trick. I usually let it run for a few hours, then rinse everything off and go onto the next grit. Steve
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blr2449
has rocks in the head
Can I retire now?
Member since January 2011
Posts: 554
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Post by blr2449 on Jun 9, 2011 14:15:49 GMT -5
I think I have it now. Thank you to everyone to contributed to my knowledge base.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jun 9, 2011 14:25:45 GMT -5
Barb, only thing I can guarantee is if you ask 20 people that tumble in a rotary very successfully you will get 20 variations of methods. Funny thing is they all work. Even people that do it "wrong" will usually, eventually end up with tumbled stones.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jun 9, 2011 15:48:31 GMT -5
Barb, one thing I don't think was mentioned. Don't pour your borax water out on the grass or flower bed. Borax will kill vegetation. I have a gravel driveway, so I pour it where weeds grow in the drive to control them. Don
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blr2449
has rocks in the head
Can I retire now?
Member since January 2011
Posts: 554
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Post by blr2449 on Jun 10, 2011 20:12:52 GMT -5
Barb, one thing I don't think was mentioned. Don't pour your borax water out on the grass or flower bed. Borax will kill vegetation. I have a gravel driveway, so I pour it where weeds grow in the drive to control them. Don All we have in the back yard *are* weeds. (Seriously) LOL Anyway, I use 20 Mule Team Borax in laundry so when I change steps I wash the stones in the sink. (stones have been previously washed of grit outside so no grit going down pipes)
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charles kuchar
spending too much on rocks
getting ready for the second coming
Member since November 2010
Posts: 300
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Post by charles kuchar on Jun 11, 2011 18:54:37 GMT -5
i think you missunderstood an interim wash. my wash starts usually in the afternoon after i get the rocks out of the previous phase and wash the grit from them. for instance, i have rocks in 500 grit for two or three days, then i wash the grit out of them, put them back in the vibe with 2 tsp of borax and 1 tsp of soap flakes. then i make sure that is washing nicely. i do use a little more water than the regular phase with the grit. i wash those all night and first thing in the morning add a couple of drops of liquid dish soap and fill the vibrator half full of water. then go to mass in the morning or go play cards with the guys for a couple of hours at the newspaper in our small town. or go to breakfast sometimes with the wife. about two hours of time to get any grit out of the rocks. then take the stones and wash them with the spray hose and make sure they are clean. i have gotten better polish on my rocks with this method. charlie
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Post by johnjsgems on Jun 11, 2011 20:29:08 GMT -5
I think she is using a rotary tumbler.
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blr2449
has rocks in the head
Can I retire now?
Member since January 2011
Posts: 554
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Post by blr2449 on Jun 11, 2011 21:04:46 GMT -5
I think she is using a rotary tumbler. I do have a rotary. Charlie's process sounds like it would work well with a rotary, too. My bunch of rocks is in the pre-polish stage for another week or so. I'm looking forward to seeing how all of these look after the last (polish) step. :-)
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