|
Post by TheRock on Nov 1, 2018 0:03:35 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Nov 1, 2018 0:28:22 GMT -5
Bob, I'm simply at a loss for why you're having difficulty with the Lortone tumblers. I, as well as many others here, have had no issues whatsoever with leaks or anything similar. I'm trying to figure out what could be going wrong. At first glance, I don't think it's your material, as it shouldn't produce any gas to overpressure the inside of the barrel.
I hate to say it, and I am not trying to be critical at all, but all I'm left with is (potentially) user induced. I don't mean that as anything that you actually did wrong, but the first things I would wonder about is how clean/dry the ledge on the barrel is, how far the lid is being seated down before tightening, and if you might actually be over tightening the knob which might have an effect on the seal.
If you're so inclined for an experiment, and if you're willing to ship your stuff, please send it to me so I can see if the same issues are replicated. If they fail, then that's two of us that have had issues with it. If they don't fail, I'll send them back to you on my dime with any additional advice that I might be able to give to help you get over this hump.
I've been using a QT66 for about 18 months and two 45Cs without issue. Your lid failure problem intrigues me. If I can help, that's great. If you want to try to do this, shoot me a PM. Best regards.
|
|
quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
|
Post by quartz on Nov 1, 2018 0:43:15 GMT -5
It's never fun, but you got off easy. The last blowout I had was with a five gallon barrel on day three of a run of stuff with a lot of metallic content, splattered the 9 foot ceiling of my shed. I took 8 hours to get it all cleaned up.
|
|
mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278
|
Post by mossyrockhound on Nov 1, 2018 2:08:16 GMT -5
You were smart to have the tray under it. Looks like it contained the spill pretty well.
|
|
|
Post by TheRock on Nov 1, 2018 3:07:01 GMT -5
aDave Thanks I appreciate that offer but I will try and work it out myself as me and that QT-66 has had words. And "O" by the way I have plenty of Pride riding on who gives up first. I have made my living with my hands my entire life and knew that I would finally find a career that my hands and back would pay the Bills. My hard work and dedication has paid off as I was able to retire early, but all those 16 hr days at The Jail and for myself in my HVAC trade came at a price. In the HVAC trade we deal in pressures and Vacuum all the time so much in fact that this is really Childs Play. If I would ask the avg Rock tumbler what vacuum does an Air-conditioning System needs to be pulled down to before charging and what is Super Heat, Absolute Zero, And inches of mercury was they would just look at me like a deer would look into the headlights. Same difference in Pressure of a Boiler you better know what you are doing when walking through a Boiler Room and what you are dealing with as a high pressure Steam Leak could cut you in half! A Pipe Fitter deals with fittings gaskets and leaks and pressures his entire career and yet seems no one really can honestly say why a Lortone QT-66 can hold more pressure than a Thumler B. Just by looking at the Thumler B from a 40 Year Pipe Fitter, and 36 Year HVAC Contractors Eyes I can tell you Honestly a Thumler B will take over double the amount of pressure to blow out compared to a lortone QT-66. If anyone wants to put some hard cash money down $$$ down for me to prove it to you I am Game. I will silver Solder The Steel endplate of the Thumler B with a Schrader valve and a Pressure Gauge the same setup on a Lortone QT-66 (Altho it will be harder) cause there is no Steel and I will show you. The Whole Thumler is backed up by Steel. Think About It. The Lortone is like a Ba loon. With a Rubber friction end cap. Now that Lortone 40 looks like a Mean Machine altho it is dealing with 3 wing nuts holding the lid on -VS- 6 of the Thumler B The Diamond Pacific also has (6) which is a good design like the Thumler B is. I have nothing against a Lortone I started out with two 33b's the two QT-66's and then (4) Thumlers B's by my tests the Lortone are under powered because if the power goes off and they have a good load on them they most likely will stall and sit there and cook. You might as well put it in a box and call it an EASY BAKE OVEN! johnw what say you on this subject? I have not spoke to John on this, But he is an HVAC Tradesmen like me, so I value his opinion. Because I know he has walked in my shoes, By the way others have had issues see below. My first barrel blow outIv'e had it with Lortone
|
|
|
Post by TheRock on Nov 1, 2018 4:21:22 GMT -5
You were smart to have the tray under it. Looks like it contained the spill pretty well. Brother of the Rocks, I learned the hard way! Things are going to happen. So until I find out why, so I can prevent it. I'm just doing what I can to minimize the loss by being Pro Active Instead of being Re-Active. I have pans under all my equipment even the LOT-O's. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I mean no disrespect of the Lortone equipment Altho at this point it has made me look like an ass the truth is out there, and I am going to find out what's causing it and how to prevent it. Same as the Power switch thingy. If someone want's to rely on a cheap .50 cent thermal Overload to keep from burning their house down "GO FOR IT". I decided to take the initiative and solve the problem once and for all. Before it is all over I will tell you the following. 1. What pressure will it most likely blow out. What can make it develop internal pressure. What effect does capacity have on expansion. From my Boiler knowledge from the HVAC Industry I think filling to the MFGs Recommendation is incorrect and there needs to be more free area to absorb expansion. In other words I think there needs to be a larger AIR GAP above the Rock and Water to provide a Buffer for expansion. This is my guess. Time will tell If my suspicions are correct.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Nov 1, 2018 11:11:23 GMT -5
aDave Thanks I appreciate that offer but I will try and work it out myself as me and that QT-66 has had words. And "O" by the way I have plenty of Pride riding on who gives up first. I have made my living with my hands my entire life and knew that I would finally find a career that my hands and back would pay the Bills. My hard work and dedication has paid off as I was able to retire early, but all those 16 hr days at The Jail and for myself in my HVAC trade came at a price. In the HVAC trade we deal in pressures and Vacuum all the time so much in fact that this is really Childs Play. If I would ask the avg Rock tumbler what vacuum does an Air-conditioning System needs to be pulled down to before charging and what is Super Heat, Absolute Zero, And inches of mercury was they would just look at me like a deer would look into the headlights. Same difference in Pressure of a Boiler you better know what you are doing when walking through a Boiler Room and what you are dealing with as a high pressure Steam Leak could cut you in half! A Pipe Fitter deals with fittings gaskets and leaks and pressures his entire career and yet seems no one really can honestly say why a Lortone QT-66 can hold more pressure than a Thumler B. Just by looking at the Thumler B from a 40 Year Pipe Fitter, and 36 Year HVAC Contractors Eyes I can tell you Honestly a Thumler B will take over double the amount of pressure to blow out compared to a lortone QT-66. If anyone wants to put some hard cash money down $$$ down for me to prove it to you I am Game. I will silver Solder The Steel endplate of the Thumler B with a Schrader valve and a Pressure Gauge the same setup on a Lortone QT-66 (Altho it will be harder) cause there is no Steel and I will show you. The Whole Thumler is backed up by Steel. Think About It. The Lortone is like a Ba loon. With a Rubber friction end cap. Now that Lortone 40 looks like a Mean Machine altho it is dealing with 3 wing nuts holding the lid on -VS- 6 of the Thumler B The Diamond Pacific also has (6) which is a good design like the Thumler B is. I have nothing against a Lortone I started out with two 33b's the two QT-66's and then (4) Thumlers B's by my tests the Lortone are under powered because if the power goes off and they have a good load on them they most likely will stall and sit there and cook. You might as well put it in a box and call it an EASY BAKE OVEN! johnw what say you on this subject? I have not spoke to John on this, But he is an HVAC Tradesmen like me, so I value his opinion. Because I know he has walked in my shoes, By the way others have had issues see below. My first barrel blow outIv'e had it with Lortone Okay, plenty good - the offer is always open. Just a few things: Based upon what you have been tumbling thus far, I've not seen anything that might cause a red flag for gas buildup. What was in your most recent batch where the lid failed? Have you noted any bulging of the subject barrel? How long after the batch was started did the lid fail? And, was the batch in this particular barrel brand new in the coarse stage, or had it been running before? Lastly, have the failures occurred with the same barrel/lid combination, or has it occurred to both barrels? I ask as I have one barrel that has an issue with the lid boot gasket which makes me wonder if this is what you might be dealing with. I am away from home for today, but I want to test the barrel and lid to see if I can replicate what happens without having the barrel filled and rolling. If I can get it to do what I want it to do, I'll snap some photos.
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Nov 1, 2018 18:04:17 GMT -5
I only have 30 years in HVAC/commercial refrigeration but can tell you under loading a barrel will not give you good tumbling results. The "B" barrel (with maybe a better gasket) s unbeatable. The old tumbling books all called for "burping" barrels every few days. The books combined with my impatience led me to open and check every 3 days. I never measured media so I could add grit as needed or adjust water level that way too. I had only one time a 3 lb. Thumlers lid pop off but those are held on by o-rings and a prayer.
|
|
|
Post by johnw on Nov 1, 2018 18:16:39 GMT -5
aDave Thanks I appreciate that offer but I will try and work it out myself as me and that QT-66 has had words. And "O" by the way I have plenty of Pride riding on who gives up first. I have made my living with my hands my entire life and knew that I would finally find a career that my hands and back would pay the Bills. My hard work and dedication has paid off as I was able to retire early, but all those 16 hr days at The Jail and for myself in my HVAC trade came at a price. In the HVAC trade we deal in pressures and Vacuum all the time so much in fact that this is really Childs Play. If I would ask the avg Rock tumbler what vacuum does an Air-conditioning System needs to be pulled down to before charging and what is Super Heat, Absolute Zero, And inches of mercury was they would just look at me like a deer would look into the headlights. Same difference in Pressure of a Boiler you better know what you are doing when walking through a Boiler Room and what you are dealing with as a high pressure Steam Leak could cut you in half! A Pipe Fitter deals with fittings gaskets and leaks and pressures his entire career and yet seems no one really can honestly say why a Lortone QT-66 can hold more pressure than a Thumler B. Just by looking at the Thumler B from a 40 Year Pipe Fitter, and 36 Year HVAC Contractors Eyes I can tell you Honestly a Thumler B will take over double the amount of pressure to blow out compared to a lortone QT-66. If anyone wants to put some hard cash money down $$$ down for me to prove it to you I am Game. I will silver Solder The Steel endplate of the Thumler B with a Schrader valve and a Pressure Gauge the same setup on a Lortone QT-66 (Altho it will be harder) cause there is no Steel and I will show you. The Whole Thumler is backed up by Steel. Think About It. The Lortone is like a Ba loon. With a Rubber friction end cap. Now that Lortone 40 looks like a Mean Machine altho it is dealing with 3 wing nuts holding the lid on -VS- 6 of the Thumler B The Diamond Pacific also has (6) which is a good design like the Thumler B is. I have nothing against a Lortone I started out with two 33b's the two QT-66's and then (4) Thumlers B's by my tests the Lortone are under powered because if the power goes off and they have a good load on them they most likely will stall and sit there and cook. You might as well put it in a box and call it an EASY BAKE OVEN! johnw what say you on this subject? I have not spoke to John on this, But he is an HVAC Tradesmen like me, so I value his opinion. Because I know he has walked in my shoes, By the way others have had issues see below. My first barrel blow outIv'e had it with Lortone OK here is my two cents worth: back in the day, being early seventies, I was all in on Lortone and do recall I had bulging on the lid, but never a blow out. However after reading this thread I do support the Duke in his avowal that the Thumler Model B is infinitely more robust than the Lortone and will withstand considerably more internal pressure than a Lortone will. Simple stress analysis supports this conclusion. First, the Lortone lid is only secured by one threaded plastic fastener whereas the Thumler Model B is secured by six threaded metal fasteners. If the same amount of internal pressure is applied to both machines the Lortone single thread will fail first. Also the internal design of the Thumler is significantly more stronger than the Lortone given it has an internal barrel that is a snug fit in the metal container that holds it and is in turn sealed by a thick sheet metal lid. The Lortone has a barrel and a thin metal lid. Under the same applied pressure the Lortone barrel and lid would explode first before the Thumler. Simple physics supports this conclusion. I am of the opinion also, duh, that mixing the stones being tumbled will create internal gasses that will build up and eventually "blow the lid" if not checked and relieved. Another observation is that I have some internal gas build up on my twin 6 quart Covington barrels when I run mixed stones. But have never had any issues when just running Bahia's and ceramics. Now as many will know I am running a 65T that comes in at over 110 pounds of Bahia's and Lace. plus some Mookiate and the barrel does not show any bulging after twenty days of continuous tumbling. Not sure of the barrel wall thickness, but I guess it's around 1/4" maybe more. I will check. Now, if ever that gigantic barrel blows, it gonna knock a big gaping hole in the wall adjacent to my kitchen and den and continue thru my house and several of you will hear the blast plus my neighbor will have sludge and stones all over the side of his house. It's also fair to say the chairman of the board will issue a cease and desist order to end my rock tumbling career, forever.. Cheers, johnw
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Nov 1, 2018 22:14:29 GMT -5
OK here is my two cents worth: back in the day, being early seventies, I was all in on Lortone and do recall I had bulging on the lid, but never a blow out. However after reading this thread I do support the Duke in his avowal that the Thumler Model B is infinitely more robust than the Lortone and will withstand considerably more internal pressure than a Lortone will. John, I totally agree with you and Bob TheRock that the Thumler barrel being discussed will withstand internal pressures more than a Lortone barrel will. I don't think there's been anyone in this thread or in any of Bob's prior "failure" threads to try to argue otherwise. However, as it relates to this most recent thread, there is absolutely nothing to indicate that overpressure/gas buildup contributed to the lid coming off Bob's Lortone barrel. All I've seen is speculation and the term "blowout," somehow denoting that pressure caused the lid to come off. Nothing has been presented to say that's so. I asked a bunch of questions in an attempt to help trouble-shoot what is going on. Depending on the answers, over-pressure "could" be a possibility, but without getting answers to a bunch of unknowns, folks are simply left guessing. The mere fact that a mixed batch is being run is really a non-issue (for now). Most of us that use Lortones are only running mixed batches, and we've had no issues. So, that said, I'm hoping Bob will address all of the questions - not because I want to be critical, but because I'm trying to help narrow down his cause(s) for the failure of his barrel. Without knowing alot, I'm not ready to jump on the "overpressure/blowout" bandwagon just yet. At the end of the day, while a solution might help Bob in the end, perhaps someone will come along down the road, dealing with the same circumstances, and this thread might help.
|
|
|
Post by TheRock on Nov 1, 2018 23:26:25 GMT -5
aDave Both Drums are Filled with Petrified Wood I got from Brian beefjello On what happened in the Past if it is the Same Exact drum? I don't know. It ran for about 12hrs or so, my guess because I loaded it around 8:00 pm and the next morn around 10:00 a.m. It was blown out. The manual in the first photo says load the Barrel between 1/2 and 2/3 full. Since The Inside useable Space is height is 3 5/8 deep we take 3 5/8 /divided by 3 = 3.625 / devided by 3 = 1.20982 X 2 = 2.4" deep or 1.22 from rocks to top edge where gasket Sits. That would be for 2/3 rds full. For1/2 full is easy 3.625 / 2 = 1.812 from rocks to top or top of rock to bottom of Barrel. So Between rocks and top of lid by gasket seat is 1.22" or 1.821" Gee didnt think i'd have to be a freaking Mathamagician to work a rock tumbler. On Steve Hart;s website he recommends Buy or Build a Template I plan to do this to have a High & Low mark and will most likely will Error twords a low mark. Having a good Air Gap above the stones, Media, and Water. Will as a buffer. Ever work on a Hot Water Recirculating Boiler? That's exactly what a Expansion tank does. It buffers the Pressure Rise in the system when the water heats up.
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Nov 1, 2018 23:54:51 GMT -5
aDave Both Drums are Filled with Petrified Wood I got from Brian beefjello On what happened in the Past if it is the Same Exact drum? I don't know. It ran for about 12hrs or so, my guess because I loaded it around 8:00 pm and the next morn around 10:00 a.m. It was blown out. Thanks Bob. I'll offer just a couple of points with that amount of information. I'm not expecting pet wood to off-gas enough to over-pressure your Lortone barrel. Of course, I can't account for any organic material that might have been on it, but the material, in and of itself, should not produce any gas...much like obsidian might. IMHO, 12 hours for a barrel overpressure seems very short. Usually folks talk about this circumstance occurring after a couple of days - not within hours. If your lid failed in about 12 hours, I'd again be suspect about gas. I'm not going to say it can't happen, but many of the folks here that mention "burping" their barrels seem to be doing so after a couple/few days. Truly, I'd be looking for some type of mechanical issue related to the initial barrel seal. Again, as I mentioned before, that doesn't mean you are doing anything wrong in your process, you just might have some things going on that you can't control. After reading all of this, I'm left wondering what is happening as you seal your barrel. Is the rim on the barrel clean? Is it dry? They may seem like critical questions, but they are not meant to be. It's all part of the trouble-shooting. Like I mentioned in a previous post, I'm going to experiment with a barrel that I have. And, it relates to how the boot gasket on the lid seats after everything is tightened down. I have one barrel where the gasket, when things are tightened, tends to creep off the lid, and I'm usually very careful about how tight things are. As I mentioned in a previous post, I'll try to replicate the situation. Perhaps that might help to some degree. ETA: If you could narrow down your issue to it involving one barrel/lid combination, that would be helpful as well. If you have a failure with one barrel and lid, mark them. Then perhaps switch them with your other components and see if the same thing happens. That may help to narrow down your issue.
|
|
|
Post by grumpybill on Nov 2, 2018 8:30:35 GMT -5
Purely my experience and yours might vary:
I once had a Lortone 3lb barrel come open a couple hours after starting it. The nut had come off. Apparently I had been distracted and hadn't tightened it.
I've run a lot of obsidian and man made glass (including bubbly glass slag) without ever having a blowout, just "shaving cream" thick foam that needs scooped out every few days.
I quite often set a loaded barrel in my Lortone frames before turning the power on and have never had one not start rolling immediately. Disclaimer: I've never had an extended power outage where the sludge settled, which I guess could make the barrel too bottom-heavy to want to roll.
|
|
|
Post by HankRocks on Nov 2, 2018 9:22:32 GMT -5
TheRock Have only had one Blowout and it was in one of my Thumler B's. My top suspect was the added used slurry. It was a 46/70 run of mixed agate and wood with about 2 cups of dry used slurry added. After about a day I noticed the rooster tail of slurry on my workbench and floor so I placed it in a 5 gallon bucket and began untightening one of the wingnuts and the barrel sprayed for a good 8 to 9 seconds. I suspect the dried slurry as it was some of the dried Vib-Lap washout where I have been working Choyas and Obsidian. I did notice that this particular slurry had lots of foam before it dried. Discarded that particular dried slurry and have not had any other blowouts to date. Been running 2 - 12 pound Lortone barrels for over two years and have never had a problem. What type of slurry thickner did you add to the problem batch? And i assume the rocks were rinsed before tumbling to remove any unwanted organic material.
|
|
unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
|
Post by unclesoska on Nov 2, 2018 10:51:42 GMT -5
While Lortone instructions says to fill to 2/3 capacity, I've read of many folks adjusting that upwards to 3/4 full. Perhaps too much wiggle room?
|
|
|
Post by johnw on Nov 2, 2018 11:51:30 GMT -5
TheRock Have only had one Blowout and it was in one of my Thumler B's. My top suspect was the added used slurry. It was a 46/70 run of mixed agate and wood with about 2 cups of dry used slurry added. After about a day I noticed the rooster tail of slurry on my workbench and floor so I placed it in a 5 gallon bucket and began untightening one of the wingnuts and the barrel sprayed for a good 8 to 9 seconds. I suspect the dried slurry as it was some of the dried Vib-Lap washout where I have been working Choyas and Obsidian. I did notice that this particular slurry had lots of foam before it dried. Discarded that particular dried slurry and have not had any other blowouts to date. Been running 2 - 12 pound Lortone barrels for over two years and have never had a problem. What type of slurry thickner did you add to the problem batch? And i assume the rocks were rinsed before tumbling to remove any unwanted organic material. Hank, very interesting comment about the Thumler B. You did not have a conventional blowout where the lid was blown off, you experienced leakage when you loosened one of the screws and gas pressure spewed a lot of "stuff"through the available opening. So the term "Blowout", in my case was misunderstood. Got it, and so I must retract my statement of yesterday saying the thread on the Lortone would strip before the Thumler. The Lortone thread would never strip due to gas pressure build up because the thread does not extend down into the barrel, as was my original thought. However when Duke showed the schematics, I realized my error. The thread only secures the exterior lid over the barrel by being attached to a secondary lid that is secured in the barrel by press fit. Am I right? Being the case I think, IMHO there are a few contributors that led to the issue Duke experienced. Either pressure built up and exceeded the press fit limitations and dumped stuff, or there was a load imbalance plus pressure that caused the breach of the press fit design and third, and my apologies to Duke for saying this, maybe the lid was not seated correctly and the all the aforementioned reasons came into effect and thus the dump. I welcome any opposing comments on my opinions but what I have said does lend credence to the causal effects of the "incident." Duke, was the lid completely off the barrel and was the lid still secured to the secondary press fit lid along with the gasket? Cheers, johnw
|
|
|
Post by TheRock on Nov 2, 2018 13:10:59 GMT -5
WoW HankRocks I am surprised to hear that, because I have never had so much as drip out of a thumler and you brought up a good point, I have never washed off any rocks so maybe I need to do that from here on out! using the Lortone maybe I need not skip that step being as it uses a weaker compression type lid seal. johnw the lid was not completely blown off but rather pushed out quite a bit. From here on out I will wash the Rocks off before loading and I will pay closer attention to load it between 1/2 to 2/3rds full and will lean twords the 1/2 full to leave room for expansion. I always use 4 table Spoons Bentonite Clay type Kitty Litter as a carrier of the Grit to thicken the slurry and two table spoons in the 6lb Lortone barrels and when I started over I did the same thing. I am leaning twords the washing of the media thing and fullness of loading, Thanks Duke
|
|
|
Post by johnw on Nov 2, 2018 14:54:12 GMT -5
WoW HankRocks I am surprised to hear that, because I have never had so much as drip out of a thumler and you brought up a good point, I have never washed off any rocks so maybe I need to do that from here on out! using the Lortone maybe I need not skip that step being as it uses a weaker compression type lid seal. johnw the lid was not completely blown off but rather pushed out quite a bit. From here on out I will wash the Rocks off before loading and I will pay closer attention to load it between 1/2 to 2/3rds full and will lean twords the 1/2 full to leave room for expansion. I always use 4 table Spoons Bentonite Clay type Kitty Litter as a carrier of the Grit to thicken the slurry and two table spoons in the 6lb Lortone barrels and when I started over I did the same thing. I am leaning twords the washing of the media thing and fullness of loading, Thanks Duke Duke, Just a thought, do you wash the kitty litter before or after the cat takes a dump? now c'mon, that was funny. Cheers, johnw
|
|
|
Post by HankRocks on Nov 2, 2018 18:08:11 GMT -5
WoW HankRocks I am surprised to hear that, because I have never had so much as drip out of a thumler and you brought up a good point, I have never washed off any rocks so maybe I need to do that from here on out! using the Lortone maybe I need not skip that step being as it uses a weaker compression type lid seal. johnw the lid was not completely blown off but rather pushed out quite a bit. From here on out I will wash the Rocks off before loading and I will pay closer attention to load it between 1/2 to 2/3rds full and will lean twords the 1/2 full to leave room for expansion. I always use 4 table Spoons Bentonite Clay type Kitty Litter as a carrier of the Grit to thicken the slurry and two table spoons in the 6lb Lortone barrels and when I started over I did the same thing. I am leaning twords the washing of the media thing and fullness of loading, Thanks Duke Suspect that some type of Rocks give off more gas in the grinding process, or maybe there is a reaction between elements in certain rocks and the broken down SiC. There is probably the presence of a low amount of heat generated by the friction of rock to rock collisions. That would seem pretty small but maybe enough to help gas production. I am way out on a limb with this speculation and the odds of generating enough pressure to create a blowout seems very low otherwise everyone would be talking about it. In my case I cannot remember any other time where there was any pressure build up. That's with hundreds of tumbling runs. I have used Cat Litter before and always used the unscented variety. Not sure that is important, just seems that I read it out here somewhere. The downside to lowering the level of the rocks is it slows the grinding unless I have mis-read jamesp tips. Good luck
|
|
|
Post by greig on Nov 2, 2018 18:30:40 GMT -5
I will throw in my two cents and will afterwards monitor the thread because it is interesting as all get out.
In the past, I have had gas build up on step 1 on some kinds of rocks that ought not to have produced gas. The first sign was a bulge in the bottom of the rubber Lortone barrel after maybe 4-5 hours. The barrel went back to its normal shape after the gas was released. While I have not figured out the cause, I actually suspect the cleaner used on the rocks prior to tumbling. If you are buying rock, you have no idea what product was used to clean them. For example, it might have been TSP which would foam/gas. A simple answer is to tumble the rocks a half hour with clear water to ensure the rocks are clean(er) before reloading the clean barrel with them.
Putting a tray under your tumbler is a good idea if it is somewhere that cannot get wet/dirty. That said, my wife would have taken the new trays and given me her old ones for this purpose. ;-)
|
|