kimjesamax
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2014
Posts: 12
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Post by kimjesamax on Oct 2, 2014 6:37:27 GMT -5
Hi everyone. I am new to vibe tumbling and had a quick question. I have 7 pounds of rock and about 3 pounds of ceramic loaded with 5-6 tablespoons of grit. The rocks started out tumbling perfect. When I went down a few hours later, the were just rattling and not tumbling. Turns out a lot of the smaller rocks and ceramic media had settled to the bottom and hardened in some of the grit. I started over, reloaded, and all seemed well. When I got up this morning, the same thing had happened. I used a large spoon and chipped it all loose, and added some more water and it's tumbling again.
Can someone tell me what causes stuff to settle to the bottom and harden? Is it too MUCH water, or too LITTLE water.
This info may be elsewhere, but it couldn't find it.
Thanks in advance.
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kimjesamax
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2014
Posts: 12
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Post by kimjesamax on Oct 2, 2014 7:22:59 GMT -5
I think I may have figured it out. I don't think I had enough water. I watched some youtube vids and it looks like my stuff was too dry.
Let me know if my thoughts are on the right track.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 2, 2014 8:55:45 GMT -5
I've not had it settle, I've had it thicken and stop moving.
How much water did you start with?
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 2, 2014 8:56:30 GMT -5
And forget about weight, how much volume was there? I fill to almost the top of the cone.
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bcrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 418
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Post by bcrockhound on Oct 2, 2014 9:17:45 GMT -5
Sounds like not enough water indeed, at least from my experiences with the same tumbler. I've had to monitor my UV10 every few hours at the beginning of a batch (adding water, watching the action), and then every about 8 hours toward the end of the batch. I haven't had anything settle but I made the ultimate newbie mistake recently and tried to burnish with liquid Tide - the rocks just spun around the bowl and didn't tumble up and down at all, haha.
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Post by captbob on Oct 2, 2014 9:31:00 GMT -5
... but I made the ultimate newbie mistake recently and tried to burnish with liquid Tide - the rocks just spun around the bowl and didn't tumble up and down at all. But they smelled Mountain Fresh, so you have that goin' for ya!
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Post by 150FromFundy on Oct 2, 2014 19:44:00 GMT -5
You are using WAY too much grit. A UV-10 requires three (3) level tablespoons of grit only. Too much grit will wear down your bowl, or settle in the bottom forming a sludge.
Don't use anything coarser than 120/220 in your vibe. 60/90 will wear down your bowl.
Pre-wet your rocks before placing them in the bowl. Add the grit. Start the tumbler. Use a spray bottle to mist your rocks. Add only enough water to get things moving. Do not over-wet the bowl. There should be no water settled in the bottom of the bowl.
For Stage 1 (120/220 grit), you will have to check the tumbler 3 to 4 times daily. Chances are, the slurry will have thickened and the action will slow down. Use a spray bottle to mist your rocks. Add only enough water to get things moving. Do not over-wet the bowl. There should be no water settled in the bottom of the bowl.
With 500F, 1000F and polish, you will have to check the bowl less often. I can usually run 1000F and polish for three days checking only once a day.
Good luck.
Darryl.
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kimjesamax
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2014
Posts: 12
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Post by kimjesamax on Oct 2, 2014 20:33:04 GMT -5
Thanks Darryl. I used 6 tablespoons because most websites (including rockshed) say that's the right amount. I know in the vibe instruction post on this site, 3 tablespoons was mentioned.
If 3 is the number, I'll go that route.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 2, 2014 21:09:50 GMT -5
yeah good call, I use 3 as well, missed that.
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