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Post by gaetzchamp on Jan 17, 2005 23:32:42 GMT -5
After reading Michigans thread about forgetting to add polish I got to thinking "don't people check their loads"?
I (in my 3 week tumbling career) check mine every night before heading to the wrapper. Isn't it a wise practice to check them daily just to make sure their tumbling OK and not bunched up or dry or whatever? I cant hurt to check them anyway right?
Hope to hear everyone's view on this and I'm sure it varies from stage to stage.
Later, Gaeter
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Jan 17, 2005 23:56:43 GMT -5
I load the barrel, add grit and water, put it on the tumbler and basically forget about it for a week, sometimes more. I never open the barrel until I am ready to recharge. When I first started tumbling, I checked the barrel almost every day, but not now. Don't have the time to check my barrels every day and there's not really any reason to do it.
After you have tumbled for a while, you will be able to tell by the sound if you need to add water or something.
llana
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Post by rockyraccoon on Jan 18, 2005 0:07:34 GMT -5
when i 1st started tumbling i couldn't stay out of them. i let them go now without disturbing them unless i shake the barrel. sometimes i let them go for a long while if things come up that keep me from doing my weekly recharges and with a 6 y/o that happens alot. i left them on from oct until after christmas and the sludge was a nice thick pancake batter - didn't hurt a thing. do doubt it lengthened the process but they didn't complain ;D.
kim
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Jan 18, 2005 0:41:29 GMT -5
i left them on from oct until after christmas
LOL! I haven't let mine go quite that long but have let them go for about three weeks because I was either just too busy or too lazy to check them. Didn't hurt a thing. In fact, didn't someone post something about somebody starting a load in 60/90 and letting it run for 6 months?
llana
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JEFFD
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2004
Posts: 242
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Post by JEFFD on Jan 18, 2005 6:45:39 GMT -5
YOU HAVE A VIBE. YOU HAVE TO CHEKCK IT DAILY. I ADD A LITTLE WATER IN THE MORNINGS... JUST TO MAKE SURE IT WILL RUN 12 OR 14 HOURS. IN THE EVENINGS I RINSE EVERYTHING OFF AND RECHARGE.
I HAVE LET IT RUN WITHOUT RECHARGING FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. JUST ADDING WATER AS NEEDED. DIDN'T SEEM TO HURT ANYTHING. BUT THE ROCKS HAD TO BE SCRUBBED WHEN I DID RECHARGE.
HAVE YOU TURNED OUT A FINISHED BATCH YET?
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Post by Noosh9057 on Jan 18, 2005 9:46:09 GMT -5
Yes I am the same way. I checked mine every day at first. But now I sometimes run for two weaks with out opening the tumbler. You can tell from the sound of the tumbler if all is ok. Roger
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Post by creativeminded on Jan 18, 2005 11:06:20 GMT -5
Because I put plenty of water in my tumbler I just listen to it. I haven't had any problems with it drying out, in fact it is amazing how much water is on top. I also don't have any thick sludge in the bottom of my barrel. I usually don't check my tumbler, I just open it at the end of the cycle. Tami
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Post by gaetzchamp on Jan 18, 2005 11:16:22 GMT -5
I have a vibe and have found it very valuable to check it on a daily basis. Especially when sprinkling the grit into the barell and to see how the rocks react to grit. One day after about 20 hours into my final stage, I could see the stones not churning over like they should and, consequently, now have a bunch of stones w/ flat edges. I'm sure you pros would've been able to "hear" that they weren't tumbling in the correct manner.
As for a "final product" yet, I think I'm finally done after 3 1/2 weeks. If I can, I'll post them tonite.
good day,
Gaetz
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Jan 18, 2005 14:55:14 GMT -5
gaetz, I didn't know you have a vibe. That changes everything! I check my vibe every 12 hrs. or so. I charge it, then about 12 hrs. later I recharge with grit and bit of water. Then the next time, I clean the rocks and bowl, then either recharge with the same grit or move on if the rocks are ready. Yep, you do have to check those vibes EVERY DAY, some times more! You will also develope an "ear" for it after a while and be able to tell just by how it sounds if it needs checking. llana
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Post by cookie3rocks on Jan 18, 2005 18:50:26 GMT -5
"YOU HAVE A VIBE. YOU HAVE TO CHEKCK IT DAILY. I ADD A LITTLE WATER IN THE MORNINGS... JUST TO MAKE SURE IT WILL RUN 12 OR 14 HOURS. IN THE EVENINGS I RINSE EVERYTHING OFF AND RECHARGE"
Yup, that's the ticket. It's something I'm going to miss with my new rotary. I reallt enjoyed my daily rinse and recharge. But I know with the rotary I will get better shaping and I won't HAVE to check or change, just listen.
cookie
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