Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2014 16:11:05 GMT -5
basically did I just chew up all my filler and lose the correct volume of stones?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2014 17:32:16 GMT -5
Indeed.if your barrel appeared to be more full when you started,than a reasonable assumption is that the gravel got eaten up.try the plastic pellets if you can get some they are a more efficient means of grit carrying,at least in my own trial and error. Dave
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2014 18:34:19 GMT -5
I tried that first dave, but the plastic air bbgun pellets I was using didn't cut it, so I went for the pea gravel as was suggested....in time I will get it, this is all a learning expierence after all
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herchenx
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Post by herchenx on Mar 30, 2014 19:42:30 GMT -5
I don't know where you live, but most everywhere you can find at least quartz. You could get some quartz that you might thing is too stained or ugly to tumble, break it up with a hammer and use it as filler. Just be careful, maybe wrap it in something heavy (canvas bag or something) so shards don't shoot into you first. Wear eye protection, gloves and maybe do the whole operation inside a cardboard box?
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Tom
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My dad Tom suddenly passed away yesterday, Just wanted his "rock" family to know.
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Post by Tom on Mar 31, 2014 7:55:40 GMT -5
I have been following this thread and its interesting, mostly about using too much water. Yesterday I cleaned and recharged my two 6 lb barrels, I went with Johns and Don's 4 Tbs of 60-90 and 12 Tbs of water. WOW I can't even see the water! I hope for better grinding and will let you know in a week. If this works better I will be happy and realize that I have been using WAY to much water (and grit too). If this is the case, why does the manufacturers of these rock smoothing machines not get their s**t together and change the documentation? Oh ya they sell grit right? tumbleon; my best advice to you would be to just lay back and relax, check an make sure your barrels are not bulging, if so just give them a little burp you don't have to take the lid off just a little air out. I have never had this problem, I do get a vacuum (bottom of barrel goes in, or concave) in my barrels, esp. if I use hot water but normally it does not matter. Anyway, just lay back and chill out for 7 to 10 days and then crack it open like an Easter egg and see what you get:)
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tkvancil
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Post by tkvancil on Mar 31, 2014 9:34:43 GMT -5
I have been following this thread and its interesting, mostly about using too much water. Yesterday I cleaned and recharged my two 6 lb barrels, I went with Johns and Don's 4 Tbs of 60-90 and 12 Tbs of water. WOW I can't even see the water! I hope for better grinding and will let you know in a week. If this works better I will be happy and realize that I have been using WAY to much water (and grit too). If this is the case, why does the manufacturers of these rock smoothing machines not get their s**t together and change the documentation? Oh ya they sell grit right? tumbleon; my best advice to you would be to just lay back and relax, check an make sure your barrels are not bulging, if so just give them a little burp you don't have to take the lid off just a little air out. I have never had this problem, I do get a vacuum (bottom of barrel goes in, or concave) in my barrels, esp. if I use hot water but normally it does not matter. Anyway, just lay back and chill out for 7 to 10 days and then crack it open like an Easter egg and see what you get:) I've been following as well. Want to see how tumbleon does. Can't remember when I started cutting back my water without checking my notes but it has been a huge benefit. I have been using about 2 tbs. more water than John and Don's formula which is still so low you really can't see it. In my 6# I clean out and add fresh every 7 days. Use the 10 tbs. of grit that lortone recommends and don't have any grit left except the few bits that get stuck along the rim. Next step for me is to cut the grit back until I get similar results to what I'm using now. Save some $ maybe. I think you'll be happy with the results.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2014 15:53:57 GMT -5
Ok guys today is the day, but one more question.......I know im annoying lol..... But do you think running with less water as been suggested will make the tumbler more noisy/ vibrate more? I don't have a garage like a lot of people do
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herchenx
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Post by herchenx on Mar 31, 2014 17:43:59 GMT -5
Nope
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2014 17:50:34 GMT -5
well im in there doing it right now buddy , thanks ill send a pic after I get finished rinsing off the barrel stones...before I recharge
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2014 18:28:17 GMT -5
ill probally be to tired to post pics tonight but this is gonna be a tight barrel.....lots of small pea gravel several large aquas, and 2 emeralds
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2014 18:39:51 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2014 19:15:38 GMT -5
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herchenx
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Post by herchenx on Mar 31, 2014 20:11:22 GMT -5
It's hard to tell from the photo but is that three quarters full
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2014 20:20:27 GMT -5
actually more than 3 quarters full I would guess from the amount of smalls packed in
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2014 20:26:33 GMT -5
and for that reason, i figured less breathing room? i put 2 and a half tbl spoon grit, 8 tbl spoon water....i was ready to get it started.....but way less water than ive used before...you got me on the right track, ima give it a week...check on the results and go from there...thanks again
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2014 20:30:52 GMT -5
oh by the way i noticed one of my emeralds in matrix had a really nice green glowing spot right below the purple...very excited to see how it turns out it, this is gonna be a nice tumble eventually
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herchenx
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Post by herchenx on Mar 31, 2014 20:51:17 GMT -5
and for that reason, i figured less breathing room? i put 2 and a half tbl spoon grit, 8 tbl spoon water....i was ready to get it started.....but way less water than ive used before...you got me on the right track, ima give it a week...check on the results and go from there...thanks again Some might argue with me, but I always let all my coarse tumbles run at least 10 days. You're doing good, those amounts should be just about perfect. Good Luck!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2014 21:05:22 GMT -5
herchenx yeah man i was trying to do it exactly like you said but looked at your pic, then looked at my barrel,....all my bigger stones in my pic are on the top, below them are all smaller ones and they where tug..thats the only reason i did it that way...looking back i probally just should have left out some of the smallers but thanks dude..im feeling good about this
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Post by rocking&earthing on May 18, 2014 14:43:27 GMT -5
I'm a newbie and after reading this I realized I'm running my #3 with too much water. Just decreased my water, I hope it gets me better/faster results. I have been running my #3 on course grit for 4+ times with the manufacturers recommended 4 TB grit and to the bottom of the rock level of water... Going thru my 60/90 grit pretty fast at this rate. Happy to find a recipe using less grit and less water!!! Thank you all for the post.
Had to laugh, six table spoons of water is equal to 2 shot glasses!!! So let just say I'm going to gladly give my tumbler 2 shots on the Rocks!
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quartz
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Post by quartz on May 18, 2014 23:27:56 GMT -5
My .02: starting with way too much water.
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