hut0401
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2017
Posts: 9
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Greetings!
Sept 15, 2017 11:01:27 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by hut0401 on Sept 15, 2017 11:01:27 GMT -5
Hello from NC. Have been lurking on the forum and appreciate everyone's knowledge and experience! I'm tumbling for the first time since I was a kid and it's great. I'm enjoying the learning process. I'm on my first batch now and have already learned a few lessons. Just finished my second stage and have lost some poorly chosen rocks. Will have to do some better selecting regarding hardness levels in the batch (although some rocks were probably fine but already very small to begin with). My first question is now that my load size is noticeably smaller - what should I add as a filler ? I do have kitty litter on hand - is this acceptable in any and all stages of tumbling ? What is a better filler for me to stock up on in the future? Thanks from the newbie.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Sept 15, 2017 11:22:09 GMT -5
Hello from NC. Have been lurking on the forum and appreciate everyone's knowledge and experience! I'm tumbling for the first time since I was a kid and it's great. I'm enjoying the learning process. I'm on my first batch now and have already learned a few lessons. Just finished my second stage and have lost some poorly chosen rocks. Will have to do some better selecting regarding hardness levels in the batch (although some rocks were probably fine but already very small to begin with). My first question is now that my load size is noticeably smaller - what should I add as a filler ? I do have kitty litter on hand - is this acceptable in any and all stages of tumbling ? What is a better filler for me to stock up on in the future? Thanks from the newbie. The kitty litter isn't used so much as a filler, as it is a thickener. Thickening the slurry helps carry the grit and is most useful in the first stage when larger grit sizes are used. I don't use the rotary tumbler past the first stage, so someone else will have to comment on the usefulness of kitty litter in subsequent stages. For filler, you can use ceramic media, pea gravel, but other rocks that have made it through stage one are ideal to replenish the barrel when some are removed. It takes a while to build a pipeline of ready rocks, though. Anything you add should have already been through the last stage you completed so you don't rough up the ones that are progressing along. In the meantime, maybe you can find something that is already rounded and smoothed out to throw in there to take up a little space? I have heard someone, or maybe more, use marbles as filler. That may be a solution, if they don't break.
And a BIG welcome to the forum!
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Post by Pat on Sept 15, 2017 11:23:44 GMT -5
Don't know about tumbling, but there are several tumbling sections on RTH. Lots of experience here.
Welcome from California.
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hut0401
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2017
Posts: 9
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Greetings!
Sept 15, 2017 11:35:34 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by hut0401 on Sept 15, 2017 11:35:34 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcome and advice ! Love learning as much as I can. I travel often and always bring rocks back - if I make a mistake there are plenty more out there for me to go pick up
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Post by coloradocliff on Sept 15, 2017 11:49:51 GMT -5
Good Morning and a Big Colorado Howdy. Sounds like you have already been learning. What Garage Rockers said is a plus 1. Need to set your tumble aside and start rolling another batch so you can build up sizes for different stages. Make sure you put the stones in different labeled containers under water so the rock mud doesn't harden into cement while your rocks are waiting for enough to do the second stage. If you're impatient like many people are, then just go ahead on the first batches an run through the cycles of grits . You can always rerun the poorly polished, shaped rocks again later in a coarse grit and still get your gratification. The ceramics are always a good idea unless you coarse grind a bunch of driveway gravel and use them later, Avoid crumbly rock as use for a filler because they will break down and add a coarse sand that will scratch your rocks. Kitty litter can be ran all the way to polish and then I have ran it in polish as well to keep from banging my rocks together. I add more polish and run longer to stop stone bruising . I usually run the rocks after the first shaping in the coarse step. The usual mistake is get in a hurry and move the rocks out of coarse too soon and then they aren't well shaped or bad spots worked out. Again Welcome Sis and we're glad to have you !1
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 15, 2017 15:47:16 GMT -5
from your neighbor in Virginia! I don't tumble, so I can't help there. We do have some of the BEST tumblers in the world here, though, who will be glad to help you out.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Sept 15, 2017 18:21:16 GMT -5
Welcome from Wisconsin
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Post by vegasjames on Sept 15, 2017 20:59:09 GMT -5
Welcome from Nevada.
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Post by gmitch067 on Sept 16, 2017 8:42:07 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern California!!!
Make sure the kitty litter is just basic clay without all of the stink-pretty and soak-em-up crystals (not easy to find these days, but still available... try JohnyCat original). The chemical crystals might combine with certain rock grindings to produce gas, heat, or other byproducts. If you notice your tumbler barrel begin to bloat a bit... burp it by opening the lid to relieve pressure.
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Post by TheRock on Sept 16, 2017 13:10:01 GMT -5
hut0401 from MICHIGAN not that long, say a week or so I was were you are at. Like you I was Lurking. Since you have been Lurking you already know that many here are willing to help and since you know that already I am sure that's why you signed on the dotted line! This job doesn't pay a whole lot but it sure is fun! Have fun and happy hunting. ~Bob
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Post by MrMike on Sept 16, 2017 13:36:29 GMT -5
Welcome from Tennessee
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Post by aDave on Sept 16, 2017 23:10:44 GMT -5
Welcome. I use plastic pellets to make up any lost bulk past the first stage. In fact, I use them in all steps past the coarse grind. At one time I considered ceramics, but I didn't think it made sense to have material that would break down grit, when I want the grit to simply be used up by the rocks. The pellets simply add volume, cushion the load, and help to carry grit. While some don't like working with pellets, I like like them because they float and are easy to separate from the rocks.
One note about pellets, however: They can be reused, but only use them in the same stage over and over. Do not move the pellets along with the rocks, as embedded grit can contaminate your the load as it moves along. For instance, if you use pellets with your second stage, only use those pellets in subsequent second stages. Same holds true for all of the other steps.
Oh, as far as kitty litter in subsequent steps, all I can say is with using the pellets, I've never added anything else. Hope this helps.
Dave
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hut0401
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2017
Posts: 9
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Post by hut0401 on Sept 17, 2017 6:43:35 GMT -5
Welcome. I use plastic pellets to make up any lost bulk past the first stage. In fact, I use them in all steps past the coarse grind. At one time I considered ceramics, but I didn't think it made sense to have material that would break down grit, when I want the grit to simply be used up by the rocks. The pellets simply add volume, cushion the load, and help to carry grit. While some don't like working with pellets, I like like them because they float and are easy to separate from the rocks. One note about pellets, however: They can be reused, but only use them in the same stage over and over. Do not move the pellets along with the rocks, as embedded grit can contaminate your the load as it moves along. For instance, if you use pellets with your second stage, only use those pellets in subsequent second stages. Same holds true for all of the other steps. Oh, as far as kitty litter in subsequent steps, all I can say is with using the pellets, I've never added anything else. Hope this helps. Dave thanks Dave - I ordered some plastic pellets from the rock shed a few days ago and will give em a go!
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hut0401
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2017
Posts: 9
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Post by hut0401 on Sept 17, 2017 6:44:49 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern California!!! Make sure the kitty litter is just basic clay without all of the stink-pretty and soak-em-up crystals (not easy to find these days, but still available... try JohnyCat original). The chemical crystals might combine with certain rock grindings to produce gas, heat, or other byproducts. If you notice your tumbler barrel begin to bloat a bit... burp it by opening the lid to relieve pressure. thanks for the tips - i was up in your neck of the woods a few weeks ago - coastal - humboldt and del norte county. Seriously beautiful country!
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hut0401
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2017
Posts: 9
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Post by hut0401 on Sept 17, 2017 6:47:48 GMT -5
hut0401 from MICHIGAN not that long, say a week or so I was were you are at. Like you I was Lurking. Since you have been Lurking you already know that many here are willing to help and since you know that already I am sure that's why you signed on the dotted line! This job doesn't pay a whole lot but it sure is fun! Have fun and happy hunting. ~Bob Its great fun, have always wanted to visit michigan - its near the top of my travel list these days
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 17, 2017 6:59:06 GMT -5
Welcome from SC!!!! In the beginning I tumbled about 3 or 4 batches threw the first and 2nd stages before I ever move on so I have rocks ready at all times for a filler. I use a tumble-vibe for the polishing stages and having extra material has always worked out well for me. Just be sure to know the hardness of what you're working on and you will be fine. Best of luck!!!!
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hut0401
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2017
Posts: 9
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Post by hut0401 on Sept 17, 2017 7:27:53 GMT -5
Welcome from SC!!!! In the beginning I tumbled about 3 or 4 batches threw the first and 2nd stages before I ever move on so I have rocks ready at all times for a filler. I use a tumble-vibe for the polishing stages and having extra material has always worked out well for me. Just be sure to know the hardness of what you're working on and you will be fine. Best of luck!!!! Wonderful! I think I was too eager to get started and obviously started out a little sloppy heh : ) youre in conway? i lived in myrtle for a few years...used to go to conway all the time! mostly to drink beer and eat chicken bog
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 17, 2017 7:34:06 GMT -5
Welcome from SC!!!! In the beginning I tumbled about 3 or 4 batches threw the first and 2nd stages before I ever move on so I have rocks ready at all times for a filler. I use a tumble-vibe for the polishing stages and having extra material has always worked out well for me. Just be sure to know the hardness of what you're working on and you will be fine. Best of luck!!!! Wonderful! I think I was too eager to get started and obviously started out a little sloppy heh : ) youre in conway? i lived in myrtle for a few years...used to go to conway all the time! mostly to drink beer and eat chicken bog Yup that is Conway for you LOL. Myrtle Beach has taken a turn in the wrong direction and it is trickling out to Conway. We bought a few acres in SW Virginia just off the blue ridge parkway and are planning on building something and getting out while property value is still high. We go to NC all during Fall and Spring to look for rocks. Our first trip is in October and cant wait to stock up. Where abouts are you in NC?
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hut0401
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2017
Posts: 9
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Post by hut0401 on Sept 17, 2017 7:45:04 GMT -5
Wonderful! I think I was too eager to get started and obviously started out a little sloppy heh : ) youre in conway? i lived in myrtle for a few years...used to go to conway all the time! mostly to drink beer and eat chicken bog Yup that is Conway for you LOL. Myrtle Beach has taken a turn in the wrong direction and it is trickling out to Conway. We bought a few acres in SW Virginia just off the blue ridge parkway and are planning on building something and getting out while property value is still high. We go to NC all during Fall and Spring to look for rocks. Our first trip is in October and cant wait to stock up. Where abouts are you in NC? oof, tell me about it. I got sick of myrtle after a few months but ended up staying a couple years lol. most of the people i knew ended up moving out to "conway" (not really conway but surrounding residential areas). That is very exciting ! I love the parkway/skyline drive and shenandoah NP. I am just up a little bit from you in wilmington. Im going out to the smokies/Nantahala in a week for general leisure, hiking and fishing, and will of course be looking for rocks. It will be my first time in the Bryson City area of the state.
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mountainmanent
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 71
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Post by mountainmanent on Sept 17, 2017 8:07:23 GMT -5
Yup that is Conway for you LOL. Myrtle Beach has taken a turn in the wrong direction and it is trickling out to Conway. We bought a few acres in SW Virginia just off the blue ridge parkway and are planning on building something and getting out while property value is still high. We go to NC all during Fall and Spring to look for rocks. Our first trip is in October and cant wait to stock up. Where abouts are you in NC? oof, tell me about it. I got sick of myrtle after a few months but ended up staying a couple years lol. most of the people i knew ended up moving out to "conway" (not really conway but surrounding residential areas). That is very exciting ! I love the parkway/skyline drive and shenandoah NP. I am just up a little bit from you in wilmington. Im going out to the smokies/Nantahala in a week for general leisure, hiking and fishing, and will of course be looking for rocks. It will be my first time in the Bryson City area of the state. Awesome!!!! Be prepared to fall in love with the area. I stayed not far from Bryson City in Cullowhee. It was very hard to leave there and go home. We went rafting out at the New river outdoors center and lots of little mines all threw franklin. And more hiking trails then anywhere I've ever been in the world. Appalachian Trail to Charlies Bunion is still on my bucket list. Have fun out that way!!!!
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