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 Aug 4, 2019 21:51:16 GMT -5
GatorFlash1,
I use 2 tablespoons of grit per pound of rocks. Sometimes I use ceramic media, if I don't have enough small stuff to put in. I don't use anything but grit and water except when washing rocks/barrels in preparation for polishing.
9 out of 10 tries, everything turns out just fine, but 1 out of 10 tries, I unexpectedly get this cement-on-the-bottom of the barrel thing.
It must be what CaptBob says. He's right... it never happens at the lid end, so I MUST be standing them up at some point and not realizing it. The only other thing I've found is that it happens if I put grit in first, and wash it down with water. It causes the cement thing every time. It's the times like this when I do all the right things and it happens anyway that I can't figure out!
I would cut back to 1 TBL per pound and make the water level at the bottom of the top level of rocks. I think that this should solve your problem. I would use some mixed size ceramic media with every step 1 load no matter how much small rocks are in the load. The goal is to use all that course grit up shaping up the rocks.
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Post by fernwood on Aug 5, 2019 6:31:46 GMT -5
I have never had any compacted sludge at the bottoms of my 3lb. CE barrels. My loading process is to alternate rocks and media. Media ranges from ceramic triangles 5/8" to 1.25", polished pea gravel or plastic tumbling pellets, depending on the stage and hardness of the rocks/cabs.
After everything is loaded, I put in about 2 TBS grit for initial stages, plus about 1/3-1/2 cup used slurry. Let the slurry settle for about 5 minutes. Then slowly add water to just below the rock line. Put the lid on and it goes on tumbler.
I rarely leave a barrel standing upright and not tumbling after it has been running. It does happen when I am removing/putting on the lid, which takes about a minute. Also, when there is no electricity due to storms. When there is no electric, I usually leave the barrels in the tumbler.
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gnuuser
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2019
Posts: 14
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Post by gnuuser on Aug 5, 2019 14:34:41 GMT -5
Thanks, everyone for your advice.
If I can find the time, I'll try to do some alternate loading procedure testing this weekend, just to see if I can replicate the problem. If I can replicate it, at least I'll know what not to do!
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Post by arghvark on Aug 6, 2019 13:15:35 GMT -5
Only time I've ever had compaction is when running obsidian only. As mentioned by others, it sets up VERY quickly after removing the barrel and standing it up. This is prevented by running some other rocks with the obsidian and using potter's clay as slurry thickener.
Otherwise, never had what you describe, but my habit is to put in rocks first. When I want to break in ceramics, I've never put them in first.
In your situation, since you have majority unground grit, this would seem to support your idea that it is somehow setting up upon loading and the tumbling action is insufficient to break it up.
I happen to have a 3lb barrel that isn't currently running, and some tiny ceramic cylinders that I no longer use (pain in the butt, and seem to be completely unnecessary - the larger ones seem sufficient for what I put in my vibe.) I'm going to try to replicate your experience.
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