stasiak
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 138
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Post by stasiak on Sept 23, 2011 12:15:56 GMT -5
I know this is probably a dumb question or it has been answered a million times here but I can't find the information anyplace. I'm a newbie to this hobby. I did my first step for seven days. Then I checked them yesterday. Alot of them had a few pits still. I recharged and set it to go again. My question is... do I have to wait 7 more days? Or could the chips be removed in a day or two and then the stones taken out?
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Sept 23, 2011 12:24:52 GMT -5
stasiak, it depends on how deep the pits are. Doesn't hurt to check them whenever you want, my tumbler needs recharging every 5 days. Look to see if the grit is gone and add more as needed. I do a wash off every couple of weeks, everyone has what works for them. Sometimes I have stones that stay in the 1st stage for many weeks when tumbling particularly hard stones.
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stasiak
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 138
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Post by stasiak on Sept 23, 2011 12:28:19 GMT -5
Thank you Grayfingers for you speedy reply.
There are couple that have few bad spots. Others are just small chips that can be felt by hand. It's the typical batch of mixed rough I suppose. Jasper, Tigers eye, hawks eye, etc.
If I find they are smooth by tomorrow and only recharged yesterday, is it bad to go to the next step?
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Sept 23, 2011 12:43:51 GMT -5
Not at all, just wash them out good. I dump mine in a bucket and run a hose in it. The grit settles on the bottom and you can save it. Be sure to wash the stones and the barrel really well before going to the next stage, any remaining grit will ruin the next step.
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stasiak
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 138
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Post by stasiak on Sept 23, 2011 13:00:48 GMT -5
Oh man! Awesome. That's good news. I'm learning that stuffs not cheap and pretty hard to find around here. I'm hoping the fresh grit will take those chips out quickly. The stones started to round after 24 hrs.
I've read mixed reviews on it. If there is a chip at all and the stone isnt' perfectly smooth don't put it in the next step. Other people say if you don't mind the flaws put it in the next step.
SO ya..hoping it's like a buff job and it will gone tonight when I check it.
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 23, 2011 15:42:24 GMT -5
If they only sold a can of patience along with grit. Best method is to cull the bad rocks out and set aside any you are happy with. Add more new rough and let it run another week. Keep doing that until you have a second step load (2/3- 3/4 full). If you run it until the grit breaks down you can just rinse between grit steps. Give it a good wash before and after polish (I like Tide but Borax works also).
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stasiak
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 138
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Post by stasiak on Sept 24, 2011 8:09:34 GMT -5
johnjsgems!!! That's an amazing idea...and it makes sense. I'll have to buy another bag of rough because the gf is awed by the colours lol.
Yet another question. You said washing between steps. You mean step 3 and 4 and then after 4?
Plus, I'm looking for a business partner for johnjsgems idea of "patience in a can! (May not have the same results on everybody.)" AND THEN I CAN SELL IT ALL TO MY GF!
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Sept 26, 2011 2:25:09 GMT -5
Paitience, One way I find helpfull is to have a few more barrels running, ?
Welcome to RTH I cant add to johnsjems excelent remarks
jack Yorkshire uk
PS if you do find a box full of tin's of that "Paitience " cut me in for a couple of tins ?! ! ! ! ! ! .
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stasiak
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 138
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Post by stasiak on Sept 27, 2011 10:09:13 GMT -5
I got another question. If my rollers are making a rubbing/squeaking sound. Does that mean it needs a drop of oil? It's still a new tumbler running for just under two weeks. It's a 33B Lortone.
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Post by susand24224 on Sept 27, 2011 15:16:27 GMT -5
Adding a drop of oil will probably get rid of the squeaks. Some people advise to add a drop every week, but my experience is that too much oil adding is worse than not enough.
Susan
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