vance71975
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 760
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Post by vance71975 on Oct 13, 2022 16:57:11 GMT -5
I see the Standard in tumbling videos, with water half way up the top layer of rocks and it led me to a few questions about water.
1)How much does water level matter as long as there is water in the barrel?
2)What would be the effect good or bad of say filling the barrel with water just below the lip of the seal and well above the level of the rocks?
3)What would be the effect good or bad of say filling the barrel with water Only half full and well below the top layer of rock?
4) Aside from a carrier for the Grit, what actual purpose does the water serve?
5) What would the Effect be if you treated a Rotery Tumbler Like you do a vibe tumbler with just enough water to slightly wet the rocks, Like say 1/2 cup water in a 4lb barrel?
All these are aimed at a rotary tumbler, I do not have a Vibe tumbler yet, not sure if I will ever get one at this point.
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vance71975
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 760
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Post by vance71975 on Oct 13, 2022 20:25:47 GMT -5
Sorry If my questions seem Assine or dumb, this is how I learn best. Sometimes I have to rephase a question 5 or 6 differnt ways before the info sticks.
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brybry
Cave Dweller
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,220
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Post by brybry on Oct 13, 2022 20:36:07 GMT -5
Not stupid at all. I've cut back on my water amount. It's been my experience that half the water gets me better grinding and slurry.
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vance71975
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 760
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Post by vance71975 on Oct 13, 2022 20:51:50 GMT -5
Not stupid at all. I've cut back on my water amount. It's been my experience that half the water gets me better grinding and slurry. I seem to run into a weight issue if I fill my barrel the way everyone suggests. 3/4 and water to the bottom of the barrel with grit usually puts me right about 7lbs 12oz or so, the problem in the company the makes my tumbler says the Max weight on it should be no more than 6lbs 10oz with everything. Which also got me wondering about the above Questions as a way to reduce the weight but still be able to fill the barrel closer to the 2/3 to 3/4 full without risking burning out the motor on my tumbler.
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,071
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Post by dshanpnw on Oct 13, 2022 21:31:06 GMT -5
I have stuck with the general rule of filling the water to just below the top layer of rocks. However, that does change depending on what type of rocks I'm tumbling. I am also thinking that less water might not hurt anything. It's a good question, but I think if you don't have enough water then the grit slurry will be very very thick and won't do anything. Maybe the opposite with too much water, slurry will be too thin and the grit will just roll off the rocks.
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vance71975
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 760
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Post by vance71975 on Oct 13, 2022 21:43:59 GMT -5
I have stuck with the general rule of filling the water to just below the top layer of rocks. However, that does change depending on what type of rocks I'm tumbling. I am also thinking that less water might not hurt anything. It's a good question, but I think if you don't have enough water then the grit slurry will be very very thick and won't do anything. Maybe the opposite with too much water, slurry will be too thin and the grit will just roll off the rocks. I can see the slurry being too thin and not working, totally. As Far as too thick, honestly, I think that would only become a real issue if it was so thick that it was like first grader paste or thicker where the rocks just stick to the side of the barrel and dont move. However, if its Pourable like say Milk Keifer(think thin yogurt really awesome stuff) I do think it might actually help since the grit would be literally be STUCK to the rocks while still being fluid enough to move in the tumbler.
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