moogie
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since December 2013
Posts: 77
|
Post by moogie on Dec 12, 2014 18:10:26 GMT -5
Just another newbie "ah ha". I originally had the epiphany that I had to fill my 10# vibe almost to the top to get the rolling action correct. I still had issues, though, it just seemed like the roll slowed down so much after only a few hours of tumbling. And the rocks were clearly hitting the top and slowing down as soon as I put the top on. I now have had an epiphany that I was filling it to the correct level, but with waay too many large rocks and too little ceramic. So, filed it half way with rocks (a couple fairly large) and the rest media. Now the roll is going great guns. Of course, this implies that catching up with all the rocks I want to polish is going to take weeks (months??) longer than I thought due to reduced capacity. When you guys say patience is key to successful tumbling you ain't kidding. I'm really surprised at how much media I need to use for a smooth roll. But, at least now I can feel confident that I can tumble largish rocks without slowing down the whole load. That's all, had to blurt it out.
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Dec 12, 2014 20:42:46 GMT -5
I like 30-40% media. But lots of smaller rocks help too. Also, you can restore roll by spritzing a bit with a spray bottle as the barrel dries out.
|
|
|
Post by 150FromFundy on Dec 12, 2014 21:51:28 GMT -5
As deb193redux said, I think your problem is moisture. If your tumbler rolls properly initially, then slows down, it is because the slurry is thickening with rock flour that you are grinding off your rocks. Chances are this problem is greatest with 120/220, less so with 500F, and almost not at all with 1000F and polish.
I run a UV-10 and have to spray every 4 hours to 6 hours to keep things moving. Give it a try.
Darryl.
|
|
moogie
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since December 2013
Posts: 77
|
Post by moogie on Dec 13, 2014 14:11:06 GMT -5
Oh, I do spritz consistently. Then I put the top on. When I take it off again a couple hours later, everything is just jiggling around. Then, without adding water, everything starts rolling! If I put my eyes level with the rim of the bowl I can see lots of rocks popping way up past the rim...they'd be hitting the top, and therefore pretty much stuck, if the top was on. Now that I've cut back on the proportion of rocks nothing is popping up, and the roll rate doesn't change when I take the top off. It looks like what it does when I first start the vibe. So, live and learn.
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Dec 13, 2014 16:50:33 GMT -5
not sure what you are seeing. stones touching the top is not different from touching the sides or bottom. unless it is so full the lid is actually pressing down on the rock.
it is possible that the shift form roll to jiggle occurs why you touch the barrel and it changes the vibration frequency. I used to be able to vary the roll in my Gy-Roc by pressing lightly or firmly on the open lip.
anyway, whatever gets you to a good shine.
|
|