jmcdanald
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2011
Posts: 2
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Post by jmcdanald on Jun 15, 2011 21:16:34 GMT -5
I'm very new at tumbling and am quite frustrated tonight. I just checked rocks that have tumbled for five weeks and many are still pitted and cracked. I have changed the water and added new coarse grit at the end of each week and have been able to remove some that are smooth enough for stage 2. I read the directions that came with the tumbler and also read the tutorial on the site. Will some rocks never be smooth enough for stage 2? Or am I being impatient?
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Post by jakesrocks on Jun 15, 2011 21:44:40 GMT -5
A little bit of both. If the cracks run deep enough, you never will grind them out. As for the pits, a lot depends on the rocks you're tumbling. If they have small bubbles in them, you'll keep exposing new pits. If they have included minerals, they may be popping out as you expose them. And if there is a mixture of hard and soft minerals in your rocks, the soft stuff will wear away and leave pits and hollows. Another mistake you're making is changing your water each week. You need that slurry to carry the grit. Add a little fresh grit from time to time, but only add a little water if the slurry gets so thick that you can't hear the rocks tumbling. Time and experience will help you to get it right. Most of us messed up a few loads before we were able to pick the right rocks to tumble. Oh, and welcome to the insanity of rockhounding. Don
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Post by 150FromFundy on Jun 15, 2011 21:47:40 GMT -5
Depending on what you are tumbling, Stage 1 can take several weeks to a few months. Best to post a photo of your tumbles to get the best advice.
Darryl.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jun 16, 2011 0:56:19 GMT -5
yes welcome to RTH
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Post by johnjsgems on Jun 16, 2011 8:08:57 GMT -5
If you have a grinder or tile saw, grind out the bigger flaws or be more selective with the rough you start with. What are you tumbling?
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,456
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Post by Sabre52 on Jun 16, 2011 9:27:13 GMT -5
Unless the material is rare or expensive, I chuck out the deeply pitted or cracked material. In many cases the defects will never tumble away and grinding them away is too much trouble. Since the coarse grind takes a long time even with good rough, you've got to learn to pick good rough to start with and cut your losses.....Mel
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jun 16, 2011 10:54:42 GMT -5
All good advice. We've all experienced that frustration with uncooperative rough.
Welcome to the board!
Chuck
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blessed
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by blessed on Jun 16, 2011 21:12:12 GMT -5
Welcome, It has been said "garbage in garbage out". I have experenced this myself. All part of the game. I wish you the best.
Blessed
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jmcdanald
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2011
Posts: 2
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Post by jmcdanald on Jun 17, 2011 9:25:14 GMT -5
Thank you for the good advice! I will now keep the slurry. How much grit should I add? How long can I keep the slurry? I have also added ceramic media to the batch. Should I have added plastic?
I'm in Fairfax VA visiting my daughter for the next week. Any suggestions on where to look for rocks? Yes, I'm obsessed. Joann
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Post by jakesrocks on Jun 17, 2011 9:32:27 GMT -5
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jun 17, 2011 13:50:27 GMT -5
We usually use plastic in rotaries, ceramic in vibes. You can keep reusing the slurry at each stage as long as you want. I've never had it turn into mud.
I add the same amount of grit each time.
Chuck
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