ts
starting to shine!
Member since March 2023
Posts: 36
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Post by ts on Jun 17, 2023 23:27:37 GMT -5
Is there a benefit to using coarser than 60/90 grit in first stage?
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Post by Starguy on Jun 18, 2023 1:44:35 GMT -5
In rotaries, it doesn’t make much difference. I don’t think you’re supposed to use coarse in vibes.
I use 46/70 typically but there isn’t much difference in the slurry from one to the other.
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geoff59
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2022
Posts: 280
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Post by geoff59 on Jun 18, 2023 8:15:09 GMT -5
It’s a question I’ve wondered about too. I use 3, 6, and 12 pound drums for rotary-tumbling, I can’t really tell much of a difference with 46/70 overall. I use 46/70 on heavily pitted, very rough-surfaced rocks in the larger drums sometimes, for the first round or 2 of step 1, sometimes adding extra grit and letting it go 14 days. Then I end up ‘finishing’ all of my step 1 with 60/90. I use more 60/90 than any other grit.
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Post by manofglass on Jun 18, 2023 13:33:16 GMT -5
I use 35/70 I do clean out once a month The grit doesn't brake down like other grits
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ts
starting to shine!
Member since March 2023
Posts: 36
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Post by ts on Jun 19, 2023 15:28:28 GMT -5
I've seen grit as low as 20 on ebay. Any reason not to use this coarse a grit?
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Post by jasoninsd on Jun 19, 2023 20:43:40 GMT -5
I've seen grit as low as 20 on ebay. Any reason not to use this coarse a grit? It's a great question! I personally don't see a reason not to use coarser grit...however...that being said, I do believe the MORE coarse grit you use, the faster you're going to wear out your barrel. I use 30 grit in my rotary...but I don't tumble as much as some people do. Make sure you NEVER use anything coarser than 220 (some say 150) in a vibratory tumbler. They're not designed for it.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Jun 19, 2023 22:11:43 GMT -5
I've built a double barrel tumbler set, each barrel 5 gallon capacity, about 60 pounds of rock. I rough with 16 grit in it, then follow with 80 and on down. Also have a pair of 1&1/2 gallon capacity, or about 18 pounds, it won't break down the 16 grit well at all. the 46 and 60 range work well in it. It takes a big barrel with lots of weight rolling in it to break down the larger grits. I got some of that really misc. size grit from jamesp, some of the large pieces still didn't break down in my large barrel set. Some of the pieces of grit in that stuff ran upward of 1/8 inch.
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