|
Post by HankRocks on Sept 16, 2016 9:00:45 GMT -5
Any suggestions for tumbling Apache Tears? I collected a small bucket full from the Mule Creek area in New Mexico this past June and would like to try a batch in the Tumbler. I have a 15lb Thumler's Rotary Tumbler. I know they are Obsidian and softer than agate, so I was think about starting them in 220 as they are fairly well rounded and smooth. Planned on using plastic pellets, and maybe some old slurry to thicken and cushion the load.
Remember seeing some pictures out here somewhere of an excellent batch and I will hope to duplicate.
Thanks
H
|
|
|
Post by Jugglerguy on Sept 16, 2016 9:35:09 GMT -5
I have done obsidian and apache tears, but in a vibratory tumbler. I start them out in a rotary though. I have tried plastic pellets a few times in a rotary and I have decided not to do it again. It results in a bunch of grit left over after a week. For obsidian, you could try putting a little more in the barrel so they don't fall as far. I also find that a thicker slurry protects them more, so sometimes I save some slurry and put it back in after clean out, along with some fresh 80 grit. After that, they go in the Lot-O and come out great. captbob did some completely in a rotary a while back and they came out great. Maybe he can give you some tips.
|
|
|
Post by Garage Rocker on Sept 16, 2016 9:38:02 GMT -5
I just finished a batch last month, you may have seen those pics. Haven't seen any others recently. I got rough off the internet, so I don't know what kind of shape they were in compared to yours. They were round of course, but had plenty of chips. I tumbled them in two three pound barrels with lots of plastic pellets and started them in 60/90. I also added a bit of cat litter to thicken the slurry. Even with softer material, a lot of them tumbled for about six or seven weeks in stage one. My small barrels don't grind as fast as the 12 lb. barrel though. I'm sure they can be finished off faster, and with less fuss. I had a few with larger chips that didn't finish with the majority of others, so they got thrown into general population with everything else in the large barrel. They turned out just fine, even with much harder material in there. Granted, they all rotary tumbled for the first stage only, then they went into the Lot O for the rest of the process. Good luck and supply us with photos along the way.
|
|
|
Post by Garage Rocker on Sept 16, 2016 9:41:25 GMT -5
Like Rob said, with plastic pellets the grit doesn't seem to break down very well. I ran my barrels about 10 days before cleaning out and there was still grit in the bottom. I could have probably taken most of that out, in hindsight, since the few I ran unprotected in the big barrel came out fine.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,178
|
Post by jamesp on Sept 16, 2016 10:04:48 GMT -5
Pretty tears Randy.
|
|
|
Post by HankRocks on Sept 16, 2016 11:58:01 GMT -5
wow, those were quick responses. From the reading I will definitely do the polish stage in my UV-18 Vibrating tumbler. I only have one barrel which I reserve for polishing. Tried Cat Liter as a polish thickener on previous batch of Round Mountain Chalcedony from New Mexico(actually just across the border into Arizona). They came out great so will use the same for polish on he Tears. Will try a fuller load for the 1st stage with the used tumbling slurry I have been using successfully. will use 80, and monitor the progress during the re-charges. Then to 220 with used slurry, might go as long as 10 to 12 days with only one re-charge at 2 or 3 days.
I have been skipping the 600 stage as the idea that the 220 breaks down every 2 or 3 days definitely works for me. I keep a good bit of the tumble pour off/rinse off and once it's dried out, I set it aside as thickener for other tumble runs. It seems to work well.
This also tells me that I need to go ahead and take some pics of each stage results and figure out how to post here. Another lesson for another day. The good news is I always learn something new every day, bad news - I forget two things!!
Thanks for all the comments and advice.
H
|
|
|
Post by HankRocks on Sept 16, 2016 12:00:45 GMT -5
Garage Rocker - If my Tears come out as nice as yours I will be thrilled!!
|
|
|
Post by captbob on Sept 16, 2016 12:25:21 GMT -5
I'm a huge fan of ceramic media AND plastic pellets - at different stages, not together.
I rotary tumble. Never tumbled Tears, figure similar to obsidian. I over cushion the heck out of obsidian, but tumble pieces much larger than your Tears. Would still want your 15 lb barrel pretty full to prevent rocks from crashing around in there.
My experience is that Tin Oxide works better than AO for polishing obsidian. Your mileage may vary.
Good luck! Looking forward to pictures.
|
|
|
Post by Jugglerguy on Sept 16, 2016 14:01:29 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by HankRocks on Sept 17, 2016 18:13:01 GMT -5
How do I post a picture?, went to the Help area, but need help to be able to use it.
Thanks
H
|
|
|
Post by orrum on Sept 18, 2016 4:02:05 GMT -5
Lots of ceramics!!! Use borax and no smalls!!!
|
|