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Post by fernwood on Nov 25, 2018 5:36:51 GMT -5
Wondering if anyone else does this, as it worked great in my latest batch.
When filling the barrel at all stages, I am now doing the following:
Put all rocks in barrel to estimate how much of below will be needed. Remove the rocks. Measuring out the grit/polish and setting it aside. Estimating how much used slurry will be needed and set that aside. Estimating how much filler/media is needed and set that aside. Estimate water and set aside.
Then start by putting some filler/media in barrel. Next come some rocks, then a little filler. Add some grit/polish and slurry. A little water.
Repeat this process until the barrel is about 2/3 - 3/4 full, depending on rocks. For harder ones in early stages, go with 2/3 full to allow for more tumbling action. For softer ones, or in later sages of hard one, do 3/4 or even fuller. This seems to allow everything to mix together quicker and also makes it easier to know how much water to use. Prior, I often had to tap the side of the barrel a lot, to get the water to run through the rocks/media.
Would like others to share if they do it this way, or dump in rocks, then media/filler, then grit/polish, then water.
Thanks.
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Post by toiv0 on Nov 25, 2018 8:02:06 GMT -5
I think that is alot of extra work.
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hnhstngs
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since September 2018
Posts: 93
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Post by hnhstngs on Nov 25, 2018 8:58:38 GMT -5
I dump in rocks, add media if needed, add water (eyeball estimate), add grit, add clay, cap and roll. I do try and record what the condition of the slurry is each time I open a barrel so I can go back and see if I need to adjust the amount of water/clay. I figure it'll all be mixed within an hour or so anyway. Given that it'll be at least 5-7 days before I open again an hour to mix will make no difference.
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Post by fernwood on Nov 25, 2018 9:37:42 GMT -5
Maybe more work, but found that it appeared to increase quality and reduce tumbling time. Thinking that the layering helped in some way, so was curious on what others thought.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Nov 25, 2018 9:52:53 GMT -5
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Post by toiv0 on Nov 25, 2018 10:21:06 GMT -5
Maybe more work, but found that it appeared to increase quality and reduce tumbling time. Thinking that the layering helped in some way, so was curious on what others thought. well if its a rotary when its sitting on your bench and you load it you will be segregating the rocks in layers. When you put it on the base and start it rolling the layers will be the wrong direction, but in a little while won't make any difference. Maybe layer it laying it on its side, kind of hard to keep the water and rocks in but with some ingenuity it can be done. Think its over thinking the process though.
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Post by grumpybill on Nov 25, 2018 10:27:44 GMT -5
I used to fill my barrels by layering large and pea-sized stones to be sure all the nooks and crannies were filled. Lately I've decided that a few good shakes while dribbling in the peas accomplishes the same purpose.
After adding the water, grit and any thickener, I give the barrel another few shakes before putting it on the frame. I doubt this makes any difference, but it lets me know the lid is properly seated/tightened.
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inbtb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2016
Posts: 351
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Post by inbtb on Nov 25, 2018 10:37:42 GMT -5
Wondering if anyone else does this, as it worked great in my latest batch. When filling the barrel at all stages, I am now doing the following: Put all rocks in barrel to estimate how much of below will be needed. Remove the rocks. Measuring out the grit/polish and setting it aside. Estimating how much used slurry will be needed and set that aside. Estimating how much filler/media is needed and set that aside. Estimate water and set aside. Then start by putting some filler/media in barrel. Next come some rocks, then a little filler. Add some grit/polish and slurry. A little water. Repeat this process until the barrel is about 2/3 - 3/4 full, depending on rocks. For harder ones in early stages, go with 2/3 full to allow for more tumbling action. For softer ones, or in later sages of hard one, do 3/4 or even fuller. This seems to allow everything to mix together quicker and also makes it easier to know how much water to use. Prior, I often had to tap the side of the barrel a lot, to get the water to run through the rocks/media. Would like others to share if they do it this way, or dump in rocks, then media/filler, then grit/polish, then water. Thanks. If you like your results there is no reason to change. Les
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Post by greig on Nov 25, 2018 11:39:09 GMT -5
I hate to say it, but I suspect you are taking more time (and effort) to layer your material than what would occur if you just added the material and started the rotary tumble. The good thing about your post is it has probably made many people think. Nothing wrong with trying new methods and sharing the ideas.
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Nov 25, 2018 12:25:33 GMT -5
The end results are what is important. You are in this hobby to entertain and please yourself, no one else. Pride in workmanship is the end result and how you achieve it is entirely up to you ! Working with your equipment gives you an escape from the real world we have to live in and how you go about it , does it really matter ?
About as much as which way your barrel turns, forward or backward !
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Post by aDave on Nov 25, 2018 21:22:31 GMT -5
Wondering if anyone else does this, as it worked great in my latest batch. When filling the barrel at all stages, I am now doing the following: Put all rocks in barrel to estimate how much of below will be needed. Remove the rocks. Measuring out the grit/polish and setting it aside. Estimating how much used slurry will be needed and set that aside. Estimating how much filler/media is needed and set that aside. Estimate water and set aside. Then start by putting some filler/media in barrel. Next come some rocks, then a little filler. Add some grit/polish and slurry. A little water. Repeat this process until the barrel is about 2/3 - 3/4 full, depending on rocks. For harder ones in early stages, go with 2/3 full to allow for more tumbling action. For softer ones, or in later sages of hard one, do 3/4 or even fuller. This seems to allow everything to mix together quicker and also makes it easier to know how much water to use. Prior, I often had to tap the side of the barrel a lot, to get the water to run through the rocks/media. Would like others to share if they do it this way, or dump in rocks, then media/filler, then grit/polish, then water. Thanks. ETA: Misread what you were looking for. I just pretty much add rocks to the level I want, add water, and then grit. Only time I somewhat layer is when I add pellets. Still, nothing is premeasured.
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kskid
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2014
Posts: 98
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Post by kskid on Nov 26, 2018 1:17:07 GMT -5
FWIW, I put in the largest rocks first (otherwise they won't fit), then small rocks, shake to settle, add water (8 oz.), add grit (2/3 cup), shake some more, seal, tumble in my hands on the way to the roller, roll. 6 lb. barrell. Don't use slurry or thickener. Water seems to end up with a consistency I'm happy with. It's nowhere near the, "just below the level of the rocks" rule. If I put that much water in, it seems like grey water (not batter) comes out at the end. I suspect we all have OCD routines of one kind or another. My wife thinks the way I sort, fold, and put away my socks is neurotic. I think the way she wipes the counter ~27 times while she's cooking dinner is neurotic. Thank God for eccentricities; otherwise we'd have nothing to gripe to each other about.
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,630
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Post by NRG on Nov 26, 2018 22:10:40 GMT -5
Within 10 minutes of rolling
EVERYTHING
is distributed evenly. No matter the order it was put in.
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Post by fernwood on Nov 27, 2018 5:20:19 GMT -5
The main reason I tried layering was that the slurry and grit were not sinking down between the rocks. This prevented the addition of enough water. Even a slight shake/tapping the sides was not helping. Layering lets me add everything at once, rather than putting the cover on shaking a lot, taking the cover off and adding more water. The above method actually takes me less time. My physical limitations also came into play.
Agree, that everything is completely mixed after a few rolls on the tumbler.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 27, 2018 10:21:06 GMT -5
Dump the rocks, grit and water... It all gets mixed up during the tumbling anyhow...
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Post by Garage Rocker on Nov 27, 2018 11:07:05 GMT -5
The main reason I tried layering was that the slurry and grit were not sinking down between the rocks. This prevented the addition of enough water. Even a slight shake/tapping the sides was not helping. Layering lets me add everything at once, rather than putting the cover on shaking a lot, taking the cover off and adding more water. The above method actually takes me less time. My physical limitations also came into play. Agree, that everything is completely mixed after a few rolls on the tumbler. Add water first?
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mooresean68
having dreams about rocks
Member since February 2018
Posts: 52
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Post by mooresean68 on Nov 27, 2018 12:21:19 GMT -5
I've been taking the approach of adding rocks/filler to about 1/4th or 1/3rd then covering that with water then dumping in the rest of the rocks, grit on top. It seems to get me a fairly consistent feel to the slurry. My noob 2cents anyway
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Post by fernwood on Nov 27, 2018 19:22:13 GMT -5
The main reason I tried layering was that the slurry and grit were not sinking down between the rocks. This prevented the addition of enough water. Even a slight shake/tapping the sides was not helping. Layering lets me add everything at once, rather than putting the cover on shaking a lot, taking the cover off and adding more water. The above method actually takes me less time. My physical limitations also came into play. Agree, that everything is completely mixed after a few rolls on the tumbler. Add water first? Maybe. Just would need to guess how much water really needed after the slurry and grit are added. So, add the rocks, put in the guessed amount of water. Dump off/add a guess of water, depending on need. Then add the slurry and grit? Check in a few minutes to make sure guesses were correct? I am just trying to figure out how I can keep tumbling rocks. Thinking this info might benefit others who have given up due to neck/back/shoulder injuries. Sometimes I cannot lift a 3 lb. barrel filled with rocks and everything else. Currently using a vice grip for tightening the barrel cover knob. Know my barrels often cannot accommodate my limitations, which vary from hour to hour.
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kskid
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2014
Posts: 98
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Post by kskid on Nov 27, 2018 23:49:36 GMT -5
fernwood, I think maybe we share an above average interest in detail. It appears from your original post that each batch you roll has 5 components (rocks, grit, slurry, filler, and water). Also that you're comfortable selecting rocks, grit, slurry, and filler by "feel", but you specifically tailor the final component, the amount of water, each time in response to the amount of other components used. This works, except that sometimes the water doesn't flow into the barrel over the other stuff, and the system precludes you from being able to add the water first. My previous post explained what I do: Rocks, 2/3 cup grit, 1 cup water (I don't use slurry or filler), but it didn't explain why. What if you standardize the first four components by volume or weight (it shouldn't matter which)? Then with a little trial and error you could also standardize the final component, water. Then you could add the standard amount of any component in any order and achieve the desired result. No guessing, about anything, and it all fits, every time. It works for me; I hope it might help you.
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Post by fernwood on Nov 28, 2018 7:50:50 GMT -5
kskid Thank you. Yes, our processes sound similar. Doing a clean out today and moving on to stage 1 pre-polish. Will experiment a little and reply.
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