rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
Posts: 220
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Post by rockinronda on Nov 9, 2024 13:35:14 GMT -5
Stage 1, barrel is at best half full of rocks w/water but weight is already over 4 lbs! What do I do?
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Mark K
Cave Dweller 
Member since April 2012
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Nov 9, 2024 14:02:16 GMT -5
Post by Mark K on Nov 9, 2024 14:02:16 GMT -5
which tumbler?
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rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
Posts: 220
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Nov 9, 2024 15:09:19 GMT -5
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Post by rockinronda on Nov 9, 2024 15:09:19 GMT -5
Nat Geo 3lb wide with speed adapter.
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mirkee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Started tumbling a couple of months ago but now have four tumblers. Very interested in the hobby.
Member since March 2024
Posts: 125
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Post by mirkee on Nov 9, 2024 17:24:16 GMT -5
I say you need more rocks to bring level to 2/3 to 3/4 full. The three pound denomination for our barrel is just nominal. Weight is pretty much immaterial unless it's creating a strain on your motor. If you like this hobby, you'll want more than one tumbler. Harbor Freight has a 15% off coupon which puts their 2x3 lb. tumbler at $60 this weekend. Good luck. Looking forward to seeing your results.
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,157
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Post by dshanpnw on Nov 9, 2024 18:30:43 GMT -5
I second mirkee, fill to 3/4 full with rocks or media and do not worry about the weight unless it bogs down the motor, but it shouldn't. Good luck
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rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
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Nov 9, 2024 19:29:42 GMT -5
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Post by rockinronda on Nov 9, 2024 19:29:42 GMT -5
I did that and the wheel went a lil wonky
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chaosdsm
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2024
Posts: 162
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Post by chaosdsm on Nov 9, 2024 20:55:24 GMT -5
Stage 1, barrel is at best half full of rocks w/water but weight is already over 4 lbs! What do I do? I run my 3lb Nat Geo 3-speed tumbler at around 4lbs almost every load, but just because I do something, doesn't make it right  If you prefer to play it safe, you can remove a few rocks and add plastic pellets to to bring it up to about 3/4 full without adding too much weight. BTW, the plastic side wheels go wonky on mine no matter how much the loaded barrel weighs... 2lbs, 3lbs, 4.5lbs (my heaviest load to date), but it just keeps truckin along. |
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rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
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Nov 10, 2024 10:07:25 GMT -5
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Post by rockinronda on Nov 10, 2024 10:07:25 GMT -5
For one I’m perplexed as to why these particular rocks (mixed) would be so heavy? Like I said, it might not even be technically half full and it is approaching 4.5 lbs. I thought abt filling it more, but add ceramic/rocks and more water took it closer to 6 lbs. I do have plastic pellets but I am saving them for soft material I am stashing till I have a load and if I use them for course they are then no good for anything but course, which would be a waste cause it’s stage 1. My final polish barrel is 2 lbs but I’m not gonna cross contaminate. I thought abt putting some fluff like stuffed animal/pillow filler but once it’s wet it will become heavy. Same with foam. But are they lighter than rocks when wet? Idk. I may have to legit experiment. And now my wheel is permanently wonky  |
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chaosdsm
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2024
Posts: 162
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Post by chaosdsm on Nov 10, 2024 11:37:26 GMT -5
And now my wheel is permanently wonky That's not really an issue, it's only there to keep the barrel from rolling off of the rollers while tumbling. Now if it were to break, that would be problematic. As to why so heavy, different rocks have different specific gravity (measured in grams per cubic centemeter), rocks with a lot of iron in them are noticeably heavier than rocks with little or no iron in them. Granite's SG ranges from 2.4 to 2.8, pure quartz is 2.65, agate is 2.5 to 2.65 depending on how much pure quartz it has, jasper ranges from 2.5 to 2.9 depending on composition. When you start getting into gem materials, SG typically increases, Garnet 3.1 - 4.3, Sapphire 3.8 - 4.1, Topaz 3.5 - 3.6 Then there are iron bearing rocks, which have a very wide range of SG depending of course on how much iron they contain. Hematite 4.9 - 5.4, Limonite 2.7 - 4.3, Magnetite 5.1 - 5.2, with pure iron being 7.87. Rocks with lead in them can be as high as 7.6. |
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rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
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Nov 10, 2024 12:30:54 GMT -5
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Post by rockinronda on Nov 10, 2024 12:30:54 GMT -5
The drive (?) wheel the belt goes on, not the roller part.
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WWYD?
Nov 10, 2024 16:32:35 GMT -5
Post by Starguy on Nov 10, 2024 16:32:35 GMT -5
Kudos to you for weighing the barrel. I’ve never done that. It’s probably good info if you write it down. I run Lortones so I have no experience with NatGeos.
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rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
Posts: 220
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Post by rockinronda on Nov 10, 2024 16:39:59 GMT -5
I had just brought the kitchen scale down to start measuring more precisely. In baking it matters so much, so I thought maybe I could dial it in that much more and be more consistent.
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mirkee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Started tumbling a couple of months ago but now have four tumblers. Very interested in the hobby.
Member since March 2024
Posts: 125
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Post by mirkee on Nov 10, 2024 21:34:39 GMT -5
How much water are you adding? Water should come to the top of the second to the top rock layer, or the bottom of the top rock layer. Too much water inhibits grinding and also increases weight. Sp much to remember, huh!
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chaosdsm
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2024
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Nov 11, 2024 12:11:52 GMT -5
Post by chaosdsm on Nov 11, 2024 12:11:52 GMT -5
The drive (?) wheel the belt goes on, not the roller part.  Might be a manufacturing defect, can you post pictures of it??? |
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rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
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Nov 11, 2024 19:19:30 GMT -5
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Post by rockinronda on Nov 11, 2024 19:19:30 GMT -5
I decided to keep it where it was at and just turn the speed down a notch, I added a little extra water and borax too - all that to cushion the rocks a bit more as they will toss a bit more violently in the barrel. It will take longer this way so I’ll check in 14 days, instead of 10.🤞🤞🤞 Thanks for all the suggestions, I’m sure they will also be useful to ppl down the road  |
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rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
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Nov 11, 2024 19:22:31 GMT -5
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Post by rockinronda on Nov 11, 2024 19:22:31 GMT -5
Sry Chaos! I been tumbling with it for a year now. It def just happened. I’ll try the spare belt but I think the shaft is just warped somehow 🤷♀️ She’s still rolling tho, so ima let her do her thing!
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Nov 14, 2024 18:17:57 GMT -5
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