milfordman
starting to shine!
Member since August 2004
Posts: 32
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Post by milfordman on Feb 23, 2005 9:16:03 GMT -5
Hi All,
I find after 4 or 5 days, that my rotary tumblers seem to have used up the grit, as far as being considered still in rough grind. A milky grey smooth slightly thickened slur is all that is left. I bust everything up with hammer and chisel, no saw here, so it takes months sometimes to grind out all the imperfections. My question is am I wasting time letting the barrels run a full 7 days? or can I clean and recharge more often without worrying about wasting grit.
Thanks,
Scott
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Feb 23, 2005 9:20:05 GMT -5
Up to you- Some recharge with Awesome results and some just let it spin- I've done both and I like to let the hard stuff (mohs 7) spin 2 weeks- then add a bit (about an ounce) more 60/90 to the slurry for another week- Seems to "finish" up the grind nicely- My next batch is gonna just run for 4 weeks straight (ya right like I can wait that long) in course- no recharge- no peeky!
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Post by Cher on Feb 23, 2005 11:24:09 GMT -5
You think? ;D ;D ;D That's what you want to happen Scott ... the grit to disappear and a nice slurry left. Check them at 3 days and see how they look but it sounds like it's working just right for you.
cher
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Feb 23, 2005 12:52:08 GMT -5
Well I'm gonna try! Probably won't happen- but the road to hell was paved with these!
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Post by connrock on Feb 23, 2005 17:51:07 GMT -5
The best way I've found to test for grit is to set the tumbler down and tamp it on a bench bottom side down. I use a very large syringe and suck up the slurry from the bottom.You can also use a gravy ladle to scoop up the slurry.You don't need much. Put the slurry in a white containerwith a little soap and water in it.A 1 gallon milk jug cut in 1/2 is great. Slosh the ladle around until it's clean and fill the container with water to the top.Let it settle for a few minuets and VERY slowly pour off the water.You will have a little slurry left so fill the container again and do the same as before. If you have any grit left it will be at the bottom of the container.It may be very fine or it may still be a little coarse.If it looks like the grit you would use for the next step,or finer,the tumbler has done it's job. I really don't think you're grit is grinding away that fast if you are running your tumbler at it's normal speed.If you run faster (twice the normal speed) you can deplete the grit in 2-3 days. I start with 30/60 grit at double speed with a very small amount of water and have to change grit at about 3 day intervals. Tom ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png)
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Voodoo Rage
starting to spend too much on rocks
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Member since February 2005
Posts: 127
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Post by Voodoo Rage on Feb 23, 2005 23:14:16 GMT -5
I really don't think you're grit is grinding away that fast if you are running your tumbler at it's normal speed.If you run faster (twice the normal speed) you can deplete the grit in 2-3 days. Really? I've noticed my Chicago Electric really cranks along quickly compared to the Lortone. That might explain why it seems like I have used up the grit every few days.
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Post by creativeminded on Feb 24, 2005 9:41:56 GMT -5
With my harder rocks I just let them go two weeks with out checking on the grit or the rocks. Right now I have red and blood jasper going and I wasn't happy with the shapes yet so I recharged the barrel add some filler rock to bring the tumbler up to the right level, and water and I will be letting it go another 2 weeks. Now I will be a little more dillegant when I tumble my apache tear, mahogany obsidian and my purple and green glass flecked with gold flecks (looks just like gold stone only purple and green). Tami
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