moogie
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since December 2013
Posts: 77
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Post by moogie on May 12, 2014 13:41:44 GMT -5
So, tumbleon's issues got me to thinking that I really should oil the shafts on my rotary tumbler. I have a Lortone double 6#, probably only have about three weeks total on it, but it was sounding really clunky, like something was sticking. I'm in the middle of a batch, so I also decided to do a quick check of the rocks while I had the tumbler off. It turns out that one of the barrels had super thick slurry in it, so the rocks were just thunking around in a thick muck. I did a few squirts of water, and ohhhh my goodness, the rocks are GORGEOUSLY smooth (60/90 grit). The other barrel slurry was fine, I didn't actually dig into the rocks. My previous attempts created a whole lot of foam, and not much smoothing. After reading the advice here I cut the water in half, and only used 8 tbls of 60/90 grit. What a difference!! I'm going to let it go until next weekend, and of course keep an ear on it, but this gives me high hopes for future batches, at last! This forum is the best!
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Post by 150FromFundy on May 12, 2014 17:54:36 GMT -5
You may still be a little heavy on the grit. Usually 3 level tablespoons for a 3 pound rotary barrel.
The water is easy. Fill your barrel 2/3 full of rock, and 1/2 full of water. This should just wet the bottom of the top layer of rock, which most directions should suggest.
When you are new to this, you tend to want to produce more rock fast, so you tend to overstuff the rotary barrel. This will actually slow down progress because there is not enough barrel space for the rocks to roll and tumble properly.
At the end of a cycle (5 days to 7 days) there should be no sign of any grit left in the slurry. If there is, you are either using too much grit, too much water, or not leaving enough space for the rolling and tumbling action to break the grit down.
Darryl.
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moogie
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since December 2013
Posts: 77
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Post by moogie on May 12, 2014 20:17:09 GMT -5
I did the 2/3 full always, but in previous attempts I used 10 tbls of grit, per directions, and the "water to the bottom of the top layer", which is a REALLY subjective measurement as far as I'm concerned. I will admit that I have some bigger rocks in there, which makes the "top layer" difficult to see. All I got was foam, not slurry, even adding Borax. Foam seems to suspend the grit, and does very little to the rocks. This time I only put enough water to barely see between the rocks. I agree, 8 tbls in a 6# tumbler may be too much, I can try 6 tbls next time, what the heck. Now the slurry looks more like what I see in the vibe, not foam.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on May 13, 2014 9:54:11 GMT -5
Moogie... I am using the same tumbler. I do use the 10tbs. of grit per instructions, with 1 cup water for a 2/3rds load. Can't even see the water past the rocks, and after a week I can't find any unused grit and the rocks are under the slurry level when opened. I need to experiment with less grit at some point to see if I get the same loss of mass with less. Someday. There are various opinions on how much to use. Do what works for you and your material.
The really thick slurry you had will happen with certain rocks, especially in the first week. Generally in the following weeks it won't happen because the softer stuff and sharper edges are gone. Remember that clunking sound, you may hear it again with a too thick slurry.
Glad to hear you are having success. Keep on rollin' them stones.
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moogie
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since December 2013
Posts: 77
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Post by moogie on May 13, 2014 18:58:52 GMT -5
What I REALLY want to know is why no foam this time, same rocks going again! I suppose I could experiment with various ratios, but it looks like less is more when it comes to water and grit. I'll try a little more water (or actually probably less grit) next time to avoid too much thickening, but I'm so happy to see progress!
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