babpup
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2019
Posts: 2
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Post by babpup on Feb 14, 2019 18:27:09 GMT -5
So, I am relatively new to rock tumbling. I've had a tumbler for a few years now and have successfully tumbled a half dozen batches of rocks in the past, but just recently became interested again when my grandsons wanted to try it. I have a Thumblers Tumbler rotary tumbler, model AR2. It is literally brand new. The problem is I'm having trouble with the grit gumming up on one side of the tumbler and doing a poor job actually doing what it is supposed to do. I have tumbled tigers eye and banded amethyst (each in it's own barrel) for 21 days. After each 7 day period, I would wash out and put a new batch of Course grit to begin the next 7 day period. I put the recommended amount of rock, grit, and water in each barrel. At the end of each 7 day period, most of the grit is settled to one side of the barrel and formed into something resembling clay. The rough edges are not completely gone from the rocks and will require at least 7 more days. Why is the grit acting this way? ? I called the Rock Shed and the guy could not answer my question, but said he gets the same complaint about half a dozen times a year. Help Please...……..
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Post by manofglass on Feb 14, 2019 18:47:07 GMT -5
My can dose that to I just add pea gravel to It no idea why it does it
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babpup
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2019
Posts: 2
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Post by babpup on Feb 14, 2019 19:06:45 GMT -5
Thanks, I'll try that
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Post by aDave on Feb 14, 2019 19:28:21 GMT -5
I've got no idea why it would do that, so sorry I can't help there.
Couple points and/or questions. Not all pea gravel is created equal. If it's too soft, there is a chance it will just grind away and add to your mess. Some folks use quartz aquarium gravel as filler.
Is this happening to one or both barrels when it occurs? Have you had any power outages or stoppages for any length of time that would allow the grit/sediment to settle on one side? Lastly, does it happen all the time or periodically, and is it only in the coarse stage?
Lastly, how much rock, grit, and water are you adding to your barrel?
With the exception of your barrel(s) stopping for some reason, I can't imagine why this happens, as I've never experienced myself. I only ask the remaining questions in the event they may spur some other ideas.
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,422
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Post by Wooferhound on Feb 14, 2019 20:05:52 GMT -5
When you say that the grit settles to one side, are you talking about the flat side at the bottom of the barrel, or the round side that rides on the rollers ?
To me it sound like you need to add more water.
It takes several weeks and cleanouts to get the rocks properly rounded enough to pass through to the polish stages.
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Post by Rockindad on Feb 14, 2019 20:57:46 GMT -5
Have the same tumbler and had the same problem. Two things I changed that made it go away:
1) LESS water, a full inch lower than what most instructions recommend. This developed a much better slurry in a shorter amount of time.
2) I started flipping the barrels end for end when I checked them each day.
One thing that made ZERO difference is leveling the machine. When I first noticed this problem our machine was dead level. I kept tweaking it to the point of absurdity (a full inch out of level) and the issue persisted, the grit traveling uphill.
One other note, if you are going to bang on the bottom of the barrel to loosen things up do so carefully, it does not take much to knock the lid off- speaking from experience.
Al
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kskid
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2014
Posts: 98
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Post by kskid on Feb 14, 2019 23:31:22 GMT -5
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Post by vegasjames on Feb 15, 2019 0:03:48 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum.
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Post by aDave on Feb 15, 2019 2:31:56 GMT -5
When you say that the grit settles to one side, are you talking about the flat side at the bottom of the barrel, or the round side that rides on the rollers ? Great question. I automatically assumed the OP was referring to a "side" of the barrrel - not the bottom. If, in fact, it's the bottom, the thread that kskid dug up may be of help to some degree.
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Feb 15, 2019 9:14:43 GMT -5
I would add 1 tablespoon of Borax and about 25% mixed ceramic media and follow the tips already given. That should loosen the tumbling load and solve your problem. Hope you get it working properly, it is a great little tumbler. I gave them to my granddaughters and they are having fun using it.
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