rockcat11
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 176
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Post by rockcat11 on Sept 23, 2017 11:55:48 GMT -5
I am confused on how much grit I should be using. I heard 2 tbs, per pound. Is this accurate??? It seems to vary with who you ask...? And does it matter what you are tumbling? Should I use less for softer materials, or for glass?
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Post by aDave on Sept 23, 2017 12:32:50 GMT -5
There may be some minor variations, but that number you quoted is a good guide. I don't know if it makes that much difference or not, but the amount of grit I use is based upon the size of the barrel (4 lb barrel, 6 lb barrel, etc) and not the weight of the material itself. There's no need to weigh your rocks just to determine how much grit to use.
Where you can find yourself scaling back is in the polish stage. Even though the Lortone instructions indicate I should use 8 tbsp in a 4 lb barrel, I'm only using 3 tbsp of polish. I could probably get by with using less, but this amount seems to be working for me.
As far as softer materials, you'll still use the same amounts, but you may be finding yourself monitoring the shaping process in the coarse stage to be sure too much material is not being removed or making your rocks disappear.
Of course all of this relates to rotary tumbling. Use of a vibe demands lesser amounts of grit altogether. Good luck.
Dave
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Sept 24, 2017 8:05:49 GMT -5
I also go by barrel size. 3tbs. for a 3# barrel, 8tbs. for 6# barrel, and 20tbs. for a 12# barrel. These numbers are for coarse grind rotary.
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inbtb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2016
Posts: 351
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Post by inbtb on Sept 24, 2017 9:41:52 GMT -5
3 1/2 to 4 Tbs for 3lb barrel here.
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