jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,204
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Post by jamesp on Nov 11, 2012 16:43:52 GMT -5
My 6 inch barrels at 80 RPM tumbled these with 54 and 220 grit.I kept the barrel at 7/8.Seem to have great luck protecting delicate rocks by keeping the barrel 7/8 full.I despise using ceramic media,sugar,newspaper,tile spacers,plastic pellets,karo syrup,leather or whatever during coarse grind(1+2 steps).I find some of these additions are great for polishing steps as surface lubricant,padding etc. Anyway,these very thin chips and the rest of the 16 pound load survived 5 weeks of that elevated speed with out any chipping or frosting.The same goes for rose quartz.If i run at half full it devastates the hardest of agates though.And that is no surprise. So the conclusion,is filling the barrel and keeping it at 7/8 a replacement for media and additives? Most of this load is thin chips as that is a product i often sell.And thin chips are slow to tumble so i push the speed envelope and have patience issues. Any input would be appreciated.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Nov 11, 2012 17:00:50 GMT -5
Nice, they look good and that info is great.
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Nov 11, 2012 19:53:10 GMT -5
Looks like you have your formula down pat. Those are coming along great.
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Post by deb193redux on Nov 11, 2012 20:06:08 GMT -5
hard to understand the physics of 7/8 - no room to slide
maybe working like a vibe
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Nov 11, 2012 20:07:07 GMT -5
what do people do with chips that thin?? doublets??
they do look great though!!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
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Post by jamesp on Nov 11, 2012 20:46:10 GMT -5
Thanks Carlos. I wish i had a camera inside that barrel:> Those chips are extreme,but they are lite weight for earrings.Big chips for tribal/bohemian pendants is main target.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Nov 13, 2012 23:46:03 GMT -5
What kind of blade do you have that cuts the wavy slabs like that? I gotta have me one! ;D
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
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Post by jamesp on Nov 14, 2012 0:03:35 GMT -5
That material is super knappable material jsp.I use a long handled 8 once hammer and deliver high speed blow to ledge edge-like chipping the edge of a brick.Alternate to cabs.Most of the Rio Grande materials are tough and dense.I wish i could chip that stuff thin.
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