chilerock
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2018
Posts: 19
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Post by chilerock on Jul 13, 2022 10:54:28 GMT -5
Good morning. Bought 5 lbs. of grit saver in our last importacion and trying to learn best way to use it. We have to import most grits (AO and SIC) as they are either cheaper to import than local grits or in some cases, certain grits don't exist here in Chile. In any case, our grit is always more expensive (about double) than in the US after paying all import costs. So, hoping to save with the grit saver and so would greatly appreciate any advise for its use, both in rotary and in vibratory tumbling. Some related questions: Do you use grit saver with all grits and polishes or only certain ones? What is basic % of mix of grit saver with each grit, like 50/50 or other? Any drawbacks to using grit saver instead of full regular grit or polish? One other sort of related question, is that I have seen some recipes from experienced tumblers that recommend to mix borax together with grits for all stages of tumbling grits, not just the more typical use of borax for cleaning or burnishing stones at end of all tumbling stages. In this case of using borax together with grit in all stages of tumbling, is the borax used as material that helps spread out the grit better or does it have another purpose? Thanks in advance!!
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Post by Peruano on Jul 13, 2022 12:21:22 GMT -5
I was unaware of the existence of grit saver, but it sounds like a "option" that might be replaced by liquid or flaked soap. In my eyes, soap helps the grit cling to the stone during the process and in effect cushions the stone's movement as a slurry thickener. I personally avoid using borax except in the burnishing stages of the process. (Why, because it is toxic to plants and if its used, I have to be much more careful as to where I dispose of the liquids I decant off of my stones). I'm not sure how borax works but I suspect that like soap it is a wetting agent, helping to remove films by allowing water to do its job. Maybe I'm all wet, but pienso que no.
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Jul 13, 2022 13:10:42 GMT -5
Grit saver is a slurry thickener The idea is that when the slurry is thicker, it will suspend the grit you are using and coat all the surfaces of the rocks with it Works well in 3 Pound tumblers where the larger grits will just stay in the bottom of the barrel and still be there at the end of the week at cleanout I would only use the Grit Saver and all the methods I mention (Below) in the Course Stage-1 , do Not use it in stage-3 fine or stage-4 polish
Many around here use Plain Clay Kitty Litter to make the slurry thick You can save the Slurry water when you do a cleanout, then dry that out and use it as a thickener Can also use lots of very small pebbles or even just use mud/clay
Here is how to Save and Reuse Slurry forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/99319/grit-slurry-reclaim-use-value
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Jul 14, 2022 0:20:34 GMT -5
I was wondering if Dryer Lint could be used as a Cushion or Thickener ?
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JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 751
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Post by JR8675309 on Jul 14, 2022 7:37:26 GMT -5
I was wondering if Dryer Lint could be used as a Cushion or Thickener ? I e heard of people using shredded news paper to cushion....
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Jul 16, 2022 18:41:48 GMT -5
I just save my slurry and add a little to thicken things up
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