Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2022 13:35:13 GMT -5
I’ve noticed that when I put ceramics in the 1st stage 120/220 in the lot o that my batch gets bogged down a bit. It’s not moving as much as it should. Pulled it all out today and found a clump of grit and ceramics that were “glued” together. Knocked them loose, got them wetter and put back it. Seems to slow down again. Do you guys/gals run ceramics in stage 1 or wait and add them to the pre polish and polish stage?
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Post by pauls on Jun 5, 2022 16:56:04 GMT -5
I don't add ceramic to anything, why waste money for grit on grinding away ceramics, if I need smalls I put in small rocks.
As to your Question about the clump of grit, try adding less, when you have a bit of a slurry happening to carry the grit around add a bit more. Or you could opt for a quick slurry by adding a little lump of clay.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2022 22:48:34 GMT -5
paulsThanks for the advice. Cleaned the barrel out today. Took out the ceramics, washed the stones and only did 1 tbsp of 120/220 SC instead of 2 tbsp. Everyone’s rolling good!
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LazerFlash
Cave Dweller
The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 548
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Post by LazerFlash on Jun 7, 2022 23:24:00 GMT -5
The only advantage to using ceramic pellets are that they are of consistent size, and wear at a consistent rate. I use them in my rotaries for stage 2-4. I've started using plastic pellets in stage 5 as a cushion, since I started getting some bruising with nothing. In stage 1, I use some white (marble?) aquarium gravel that I got at either Dollar Tree or Dollar General. (See picture.)
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Post by rmf on Jun 8, 2022 9:41:18 GMT -5
only add fillers after the initial coarse grit is run. Unless you are experimenting, have a special project or have a particular rock that needs extra care. Coarse should be abusive to the rocks so they round down.
Ceramics are for rocks that need coddling in order to polish well
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Post by Starguy on Jun 8, 2022 11:35:24 GMT -5
ashleyStrictly rotary here but I do like pauls mentioned and use small rocks when filler is needed. I’m kind of partial to these small LSAs. A lot of them turn out pretty attractive when they’re polished. The bigger pieces kind of float to the top of the bucket. If I dig down a little, they are much smaller. I would estimate 60 pieces per pound.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2022 11:55:49 GMT -5
StarguyThank you for the advice! After your post of the Botswana agates and the superior agates you have me really curious to see your rock collect! How much stuff do you have?! Seems like enough to open your own rock shop lol!
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CLErocks
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
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Post by CLErocks on Jun 8, 2022 14:32:28 GMT -5
I use ceramics to get the proper fill for the tumbler. I’ve also used landscaping gravel and the dollar store rocks as filler. It’s a preference thing, I think. There was even discussion of using broken ceramic plates and such, which I have considered trying. I personally hate plastic because it floats and micro-plastic waste…
It’s a definite yes, as others stated, for anything “special”. I purchased for quartz and sodalite batches. But use it for everything now. 🤷🏻♀️ In theory you only have to keep buying the larger pieces, because they wear down over time.
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stefan
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Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Jun 10, 2022 7:07:04 GMT -5
I bought a bag of dollar store gravel to use as filler. It still sits in the drawer never to be used. I never had a batch needed to "fill" If I don't have enough rock I wait untilI have more finished up and ready. I do use PolyPellets to cushion all my stages from 500 on up.
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markb
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Member since May 2022
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Post by markb on Jun 10, 2022 8:51:06 GMT -5
So in line with this discussion, I've seen posts from others saying that they add kitty litter to their tumbling mix. Is this just to create a quicker slurry, or a thicker slurry to perhaps help fill the barrel? Inquiring minds want to know!
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