roncheyney
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2016
Posts: 4
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Post by roncheyney on Mar 20, 2016 16:08:41 GMT -5
I'm a newbee. I have tumbled my first batch of rock for 7 days in 80 grit. I looked at it and decided it should go for another 4 days. Should I add more grit?
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Mar 20, 2016 16:25:48 GMT -5
I am far from an experienced tumbler (about 4 months into it), but I would say at least "recharge" your load with some more grit. If the slurry feels very gritty, add a little more fresh grit. If you barely feel any grit at all, add what you originally put in at the beginning. I like to reuse my slurry, but others like to start over with fresh grit and water. Hope this answers your question.
If you haven't already, I would highly recommend reading the tutorial posts at the top of this section.
Good luck with your first tumble! John
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Post by Jugglerguy on Mar 20, 2016 16:27:46 GMT -5
Yes. I wash my rocks after a week, add new grit and water and start all over again. Don't do another cleanout for a week. After four days you will most likely still have unused grit. The first stage never really ends, and the rocks won't all be done at the same time. Many rocks will need at least several weeks and possibly months in the first stage. This is the biggest misconception of new tumblers. Great news, huh? Here's how it works: Once a week you rinse off all of your rocks and inspect them one at a time. If a rock is nicely rounded and has no flaws (cracks, holes, spalls), then you take it out and set it aside. You will probably only remove a few rocks each week, and the first rocks will probably start coming out after the first three weeks. Replace any lost volume with new rough rocks. You should fill the barrel to about 3/4 full. Eventually, you'll have accumulated enough rocks for stage two. If you only have one barrel, remove the rocks you've been running in stage one and start stage two. When that batch of rocks is done, take a bunch of pictures and post them here so we can ooh and aah over them, and put your rough rocks back in until you have enough for a second batch. You don't have to perfect the rocks in stage one, but you'll probably be much happier with the end results if you do. Stage one takes forever and is very important. A lot of us buy 80 grit or 46/70 grit fifty pounds at a time because you'll use way more of it than any other grit. It's also cheaper that way. I order my 46/70 from Kingsley North, and the rest of my grit from The Rock Shed. By the way, welcome to the forum. You should post an introduction so we can get to know you. Ask all the questions you want and someone will answer them. Rob
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napoleonrags
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2015
Posts: 474
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Post by napoleonrags on Mar 20, 2016 20:59:16 GMT -5
Well stated Juggler Dude. I have at least one rock that I've been rollin for a year. The way I imagine it to be might be a few years away still.
Keep on rollin.
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