fmelvis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2010
Posts: 235
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Post by fmelvis on Nov 27, 2011 8:18:35 GMT -5
Sometimes when I check on a barrel, the mix seems very watery. Upon removing the rocks, I notice that most of the grit has settled to the bottom of the barrel. ( Lortone 3lb. barrel ).
I use 4 tablespoons of grit as per the manual. Is the water getting too saturated with grit?
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Nov 27, 2011 8:27:00 GMT -5
When you set the barrel up to check it,the grit will settle to the bottom almost immediately.General rule of thumb is 3 tbsps for a 3 lb barrel.In a smaller barrel it takes a little longer to break the grit down,in my experience.
snuffy
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 27, 2011 13:05:53 GMT -5
I agree on the 3 tbsp. You may be using too much water or not using a good mixture of sizes. You need small pieces or ceramic media as a grit carrier to help speed up the slurry/grinding action.
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Post by montanamuskrat on Nov 27, 2011 23:52:50 GMT -5
First day I take the barrels off the tumbler and rotate them end to end a few times to make sure the grit is through the whole barrel, then again on the third day. Also use only 3tbsp. Tom
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Post by connrock on Nov 28, 2011 8:40:25 GMT -5
Another problem may be over loading the barrel. If you have too many rocks in the barrel you won't get the proper "tumbling" action and the rocks can't rub against each other to grind them down with the grit. connrock
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