Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2014 15:59:35 GMT -5
Dammit if its not too foamy, (the only reason I checked is the bottom of the barrel was seemingly sinking in just a tad and looked a little off and uneven) but I might have just being too cautious.........this time it seems too wet to me a thin.........but im a newbie.....help please tell me if I should put in more grit or rocks or does this look good?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2014 16:09:15 GMT -5
I don't want to add more grit in and waste it if not nessacry...but would like to get it started back again soon and not let it sit......does it look like I need more grit though? or should I just toss in some pea gravel...or just let it be the way it is? I originally planned on letting this run 14 days.....so this is way early to be freaking out but 14 days is a long time and want to nip any buds as early as possible
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2014 17:23:44 GMT -5
well heres what it looked like when I put it back in, it sat a while but I put in one more special stone and some peagravel.....pray for me
|
|
stephent
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 213
|
Post by stephent on Mar 28, 2014 17:28:51 GMT -5
At 5 days a lot of the grit has worn down..way down. If yer gonna chew some more of those rocks away, you will definitely need to add grit (1/2 dose-2 tbsp) every 4-5 days..some wash out barrel and start a whole new coarse grit after 10 days. After the second grit add (10 days) and slurry isn't thick as snot I just add another 1/2 dose. "Some" rocks are hard and don't wear down very quick to make a slurry.. I would try another 2 tbsp and a few days more.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2014 17:37:23 GMT -5
crap.....the majority is emerald in matrix and stubborn aqua...just closed it back.....ima give it a full 7.....check it on Monday.then add grit then, hopefully patience will pay off, I just don't want to waste grit, it was a kind gift and don't want to waste it
|
|
herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
|
Post by herchenx on Mar 28, 2014 18:10:43 GMT -5
how big is your barrel (3#?)
How much grit did you use?
Was it 3/4 full?
Did you put water to below the top level of rock?
When I was starting out, I'd use too much water. In fairness "water to the bottom of the top layer of rocks" is a pretty bad way to measure (if your rocks are teeny that is a lot higher water level than if you have a couple biggies sitting on top. I started cutting back my water and I'd put no more than half a barrel once the rock was in.
|
|
stephent
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 213
|
Post by stephent on Mar 28, 2014 18:24:47 GMT -5
Well... when ya pull the top off again in a few...feel the foam/slurry...it will be mostly without much "bigger gritty" feeling. It breaks down in 4-5 days...some say grit breaks down into 1/2 the original size in 2-3 days. I check at 4-5 days...ain't much left then of the bigger stuff. I wipe my finger across the inside of the lid to pick up the grit...and check the remaining thickness of the liner or lid too.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2014 18:28:26 GMT -5
barrel...3lbs......rocks 3 quarters full...3 tbls spoons of grit
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2014 18:35:15 GMT -5
i don't know im just gonna sleep on it, im tired
|
|
herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
|
Post by herchenx on Mar 28, 2014 19:07:04 GMT -5
so probably too much water. I started measuring mine in cups and tablespoons. The thread that helped me really get going was this one: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/post/415564/threadDon says in a 6# he uses 4 tbsp of 60/90 and 6 oz water. I cut that in half for my 3# barrel (although I do run 6 and 12# as well) - so 2 tbsp grit and 3 oz water in a 3# barrel. (3 oz = 6 Tablespoons) you will find that is a lot less water than you are using (probably) and you should have better results. You can follow other formulas if you want, but this one is a pretty sure thing, just look back through that thread at his results, or dig through my older posts and you will see how mine came out. You do "waste" a bit when getting started, but that is part of the process. Once you start getting it dialed in you will find better results almost immediately and find a way to be consistent.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2014 19:13:11 GMT -5
Ive thought, and thinking I was checking a bit too much, and when I try to clean off the seals with a soaked paper towel a lot of the water from the pressure of my hands on the paper towel is watering it down? so tomorrow should I put in a tablespoon of grit? thanks again
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2014 19:30:15 GMT -5
ok so im gonna give it till Monday....then add 2 tbl spoons grit, 6 table spoons water?.....not worry about the water level? herchenx after draining the barrel obviously
|
|
herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
|
Post by herchenx on Mar 28, 2014 19:36:36 GMT -5
if you've run this for 10 days already, clean it out Monday, start with 3/4 full, 2Tbsp grit, 6Tbsp water, then just button it up and let it run for 10 days without fiddling with it. If you notice the end of the barrel bulging then you can pop it open to relieve pressure, wipe the edge down and put it back on until the 10 days is done.
A little water from a paper towel won't make any difference. I use a hand-pump sprayer and just hit it and wipe it, but anymore I don't open it until I clean it out after 10+ days.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2014 19:56:55 GMT -5
thanks herchenx, I might of said it wrong...but when I started this my note says 2 weeks from 3/24...im trying man sorry if im a pain in the ass lol
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2014 19:57:47 GMT -5
this grit hasn't been running 10 days though more like 5
|
|
herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
|
Post by herchenx on Mar 28, 2014 20:09:33 GMT -5
Then just let it run another 2 this time, it won't hurt anything. Do what you said and clean it out Monday and try the amounts from above. You'll get it man.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2014 20:12:14 GMT -5
thanks buddy...I do want to get it right, I appreciate your help
|
|
tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
|
Post by tkvancil on Mar 29, 2014 0:07:28 GMT -5
Dammit if its not too foamy, (the only reason I checked is the bottom of the barrel was seemingly sinking in just a tad and looked a little off and uneven) but I might have just being too cautious.........this time it seems too wet to me a thin.........but im a newbie.....help please tell me if I should put in more grit or rocks or does this look good? The bottom of the barrel should be sinking inward. This is a normal. When I check my running barrels the right sound and the bottom sinking inward is what I look for. If it is bulging outward then its time to "burp" it. Many rocks will produce a foam as they tumble. This is also sometimes normal depending on the rock. I'm with Herchenx, looks like too much water. I use 1/2 cup in my 3# barrels which is 8 tablespoons. "Bottom of the top layer" is too much water.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2014 6:15:50 GMT -5
Looks like you have aliitle to much water,and you may need to add some more rough .maybe smalls.you mentioned using gravel,I use plastic beads in my rotary, just feel the gravel wastes the efficiency of the grit(grinding the gravel instead of your rocks.i so use it in my dual lotto and ultravibe though,a lot cheaper than ceramic.just my two cents. Dave
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2014 16:10:40 GMT -5
I have been thinking about it since I posted......I think I am going to do what herchenx suggested, but I know I didn't have this much water when I put it in on day 1 and since realized I think what caused it to be so watery......Tell me if this sounds right....I had a lot of pea gravel in there, could see all the rocks almost and grit.........My harder stones have probally just ate up so much pea gravel I lost a lot of volume, emeralds and aquas still basically the same as when I first put them in just sunk down and the water remained leaving it too watery?
|
|