hplcman
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Post by hplcman on Sept 23, 2022 23:55:48 GMT -5
I recently read where someone was adding a tablespoon of borax with the grit in a vibratory tumbler. I imagine that is done to make it easier to burnish that grit out of cracks and whatnot. Has anyone had success doing that in a rotary tumbler? Adding a tablespoon of borax along with stages 1, 2, 3, and 4?
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
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Post by ericabelle on Sept 24, 2022 7:37:59 GMT -5
I used to consistently use it in my rotary tumbler. It seemed that I had less breaking and fracturing when I used it. I think it helped thicken the slurry faster. Somewhere along the way, I stopped using it because the grit suddenly wasn't wearing down. I must have changed something without really thinking about it. But I do think it is a great tool to have - I use it all the time in my vibe. And if I started having problems in my rotary, I would definitely try it again.
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vance71975
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Post by vance71975 on Sept 24, 2022 17:57:43 GMT -5
I recently read where someone was adding a tablespoon of borax with the grit in a vibratory tumbler. I imagine that is done to make it easier to burnish that grit out of cracks and whatnot. Has anyone had success doing that in a rotary tumbler? Adding a tablespoon of borax along with stages 1, 2, 3, and 4? I always use it in My rotary tumbler just because it prevents bacteria growth in the water which can cause the barrel to presurize and blow the lid off.
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nursetumbler
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Post by nursetumbler on Sept 25, 2022 9:48:13 GMT -5
I recently read where someone was adding a tablespoon of borax with the grit in a vibratory tumbler. I imagine that is done to make it easier to burnish that grit out of cracks and whatnot. Has anyone had success doing that in a rotary tumbler? Adding a tablespoon of borax along with stages 1, 2, 3, and 4? I always use it in My rotary tumbler just because it prevents bacteria growth in the water which can cause the barrel to presurize and blow the lid off. You can do the same thing with vinegar
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vance71975
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Post by vance71975 on Sept 25, 2022 13:12:19 GMT -5
I always use it in My rotary tumbler just because it prevents bacteria growth in the water which can cause the barrel to presurize and blow the lid off. You can do the same thing with vinegar True, but there are some bacteria and wild yeast vinegar wont stop, plus the risk of vinegar damaging the rocks depending on what they are.
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Post by As I in does tries! on Sept 25, 2022 14:07:52 GMT -5
Greetings and Welcome from Bonnybridge, Scotland.
A teaspoon of Borax softens hard water too and can be used in all stages!
See Aussie Lapidary Forum: Rock Tumbling Guide web-link in my Signature.
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hplcman
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Post by hplcman on Oct 3, 2022 11:03:59 GMT -5
So an update -
On my 33B I used 1 tbs of borax in with my AO polish (stage 4) and my 120 SO (stage 2) and it went well. The sound of the rocks tumbling was different, like the fluid in there was more viscous. I almost always end up with some AO polish in tiny pits and cracks (no matter how long I burnish) and these rocks came out super clean, no white bits anywhere. I'm going to continue using borax in with the grit for a few more batches and update later.
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jimaz
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Post by jimaz on Oct 3, 2022 11:32:29 GMT -5
A quarter tsp of sugar free psyllium (meta-mucin) in the vibe along with the grit helps pull the grit out of the cracks when you do your clean out.
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hplcman
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Post by hplcman on Oct 3, 2022 15:00:58 GMT -5
A quarter tsp of sugar free psyllium (meta-mucin) in the vibe along with the grit helps pull the grit out of the cracks when you do your clean out. Thanks for that information! Every time I come on here I'm amazed at the bits of wisdom you all have. It's inspiring!
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electrocutus
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Post by electrocutus on Oct 3, 2022 15:44:22 GMT -5
A quarter tsp of sugar free psyllium (meta-mucin) in the vibe along with the grit helps pull the grit out of the cracks when you do your clean out. Great tip. Although I haven't tried it yet I read that you should also add a bit of vinegar to counteract the gas buildup that the metamucil can cause?
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electrocutus
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Post by electrocutus on Oct 3, 2022 15:46:11 GMT -5
I recently read where someone was adding a tablespoon of borax with the grit in a vibratory tumbler. I imagine that is done to make it easier to burnish that grit out of cracks and whatnot. Has anyone had success doing that in a rotary tumbler? Adding a tablespoon of borax along with stages 1, 2, 3, and 4? I always use it in My rotary tumbler just because it prevents bacteria growth in the water which can cause the barrel to presurize and blow the lid off. Cool. I knew to use borax for cleanup between stages, but I didn't know it would also help during the steps. I will definitely give it a try on my next batches.
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vance71975
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Post by vance71975 on Oct 3, 2022 15:55:47 GMT -5
I always use it in My rotary tumbler just because it prevents bacteria growth in the water which can cause the barrel to presurize and blow the lid off. Cool. I knew to use borax for cleanup between stages, but I didn't know it would also help during the steps. I will definitely give it a try on my next batches. I am just looking at it from a Water Chemistry angle, Its an Alkline, which will prevent bacteria and wild yeast growth, Both of which prefer a mildly acidic enviroment. The problem with both is that they can release CO2 durning their natural processes which, in theory could build up enough pressure to blow the lid off. I highly doubt its likely that it will happen, but I still prefer not to risk it lol.
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jimaz
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Post by jimaz on Oct 3, 2022 17:55:42 GMT -5
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nursetumbler
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Post by nursetumbler on Oct 5, 2022 20:21:47 GMT -5
A quarter tsp of sugar free psyllium (meta-mucin) in the vibe along with the grit helps pull the grit out of the cracks when you do your clean out. Thanks for that information! Every time I come on here I'm amazed at the bits of wisdom you all have. It's inspiring! hplcmanYou can use the Metamucil in rotary also just make sure you add some bleach to stop the gas formation or you will have tops popping off (don't ask how I know) When I do use it I make the Metamucil up first in a container when I am cleaning rocks by the time I am done i have some idea of the consistency of the "water" It does keep the polish on the rock surface and for the most part out from under the invisible rock flakes
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hplcman
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Post by hplcman on Oct 6, 2022 13:11:05 GMT -5
Thanks for that information! Every time I come on here I'm amazed at the bits of wisdom you all have. It's inspiring! hplcman You can use the Metamucil in rotary also just make sure you add some bleach to stop the gas formation or you will have tops popping off (don't ask how I know) When I do use it I make the Metamucil up first in a container when I am cleaning rocks by the time I am done i have some idea of the consistency of the "water" It does keep the polish on the rock surface and for the most part out from under the invisible rock flakes Thanks for the information about adding bleach! I wonder if using sugar-free megamucil (as others have suggested) would negate having to do that?
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nursetumbler
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Post by nursetumbler on Oct 6, 2022 19:23:11 GMT -5
hplcman You can use the Metamucil in rotary also just make sure you add some bleach to stop the gas formation or you will have tops popping off (don't ask how I know) When I do use it I make the Metamucil up first in a container when I am cleaning rocks by the time I am done i have some idea of the consistency of the "water" It does keep the polish on the rock surface and for the most part out from under the invisible rock flakes Thanks for the information about adding bleach! I wonder if using sugar-free megamucil (as others have suggested) would negate having to do that? hplcmanOnly difference between sugared and sugarfree is the sugar content and how much you'd have to use. With no sugar in there you'll use a lot less. The bleach just stops the psyllium from making the gas
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ericabelle
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Post by ericabelle on Oct 6, 2022 19:37:44 GMT -5
nursetumblerIsn't the bleach there to kill the bacteria that will grow in the sugared mix? I can't think of how bleach would dissipate gas in general. I have used simethicone in my tumbler on one occasion when I put dirty rocks into the tumbler, causing bacteria to grow. But in the case of putting anything with sugar into a tumbler, bacteria would grow, but the bleach would kill it. I'm no expert with bleach, but I'm a pharmacist, so I guess I'm thinking of the tumbler as the patient. LOL
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vance71975
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Post by vance71975 on Oct 6, 2022 20:00:38 GMT -5
nursetumbler Isn't the bleach there to kill the bacteria that will grow in the sugared mix? I can't think of how bleach would dissipate gas in general. I have used simethicone in my tumbler on one occasion when I put dirty rocks into the tumbler, causing bacteria to grow. But in the case of putting anything with sugar into a tumbler, bacteria would grow, but the bleach would kill it. I'm no expert with bleach, but I'm a pharmacist, so I guess I'm thinking of the tumbler as the patient. LOL Bleach will kill MOST bacteria, Some can survive it. Star San Sanatizer Would work as well tho it could dissolve softer rocks as its a fairly strong acid. Its a Brewing Sanatizer. Borax works as well because most bacteria and wild yeast prefer an mildly acidic enviroment and Borax is alkline. Good old Fasion Baking Soda would also work, Its also Alkline AND includes Salt which inhibits Many bacteria and yeast. I am a brewing nerd, so most of my expirence from water Chemisty comes from that, and working with yeast and bacteria cultures for both Brewing and making fermented foods like Saurkraut. So no degree just a nerd lol
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nursetumbler
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Post by nursetumbler on Oct 6, 2022 20:19:07 GMT -5
nursetumblerIsn't the bleach there to kill the bacteria that will grow in the sugared mix? I can't think of how bleach would dissipate gas in general. I have used simethicone in my tumbler on one occasion when I put dirty rocks into the tumbler, causing bacteria to grow. But in the case of putting anything with sugar into a tumbler, bacteria would grow, but the bleach would kill it. I'm no expert with bleach, but I'm a pharmacist, so I guess I'm thinking of the tumbler as the patient. LOL ericabelleI got the information from ingawh here on the forum. I guess I didn't question it just figured it stopped the psyllium fermentation that causes gas. I deal with Kidneys not the GI system.
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ericabelle
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Post by ericabelle on Oct 6, 2022 20:53:24 GMT -5
nursetumbler oh, I see- I was thinking people were using sugar free to decrease the growth of bacteria; but I hadn’t thought of the psyllium fermenting. It ferments in the GI tract, too, but I guess it would ferment anywhere you put it!
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