ArkieRockhound
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2005
Posts: 870
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Post by ArkieRockhound on Mar 5, 2005 14:31:25 GMT -5
Has anyone used #30 grit? I didn't know what to get so ordered several different. Would it be faster to put really hard stones in #30 grit to begin with? I finally have my first patch in polish. I hope I get a few shiny stones out of the batch. Trish
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Mar 5, 2005 15:16:35 GMT -5
Hey Trish, never tried it, but no reason it can't be used. Undoubtedly would give a more agressive grind in the beginning. Remember though that at the end of a week, the grit will still be faily large. 60/90 grit is normally changed every 7 days because it breaks down so small, but 30 grit will still be large enough that you would probably want to run it a few more days.
Ron
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Post by mrbrett on Mar 5, 2005 16:00:38 GMT -5
Just remember that because you are using 30 grit that you will be adding an extra stage. You will still need to use a 60-90 grit to remove all the 30 grit scratches. Brett
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 5, 2005 20:01:32 GMT -5
Never heard of #30 but it would work real well for roughing- It would probably work well to run 3 to 4 weeks then move to a 120/220. But as stated that is a larger grit that will take longer to break down!
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Post by connrock on Mar 5, 2005 23:11:01 GMT -5
Tris, I was using #30 grit for roughing but I changed to 30/60 because I found a cheaper source for it. I've used the coarser grits for years and they work great.Yes you still haveto go through the whole tumbling cycle but using the coarser grits cuts down the roughing time. With 15lbs of rough rock I add 1.5 lbs of #30/60.I add only 1-1/2 cups of water.I run the roughing tumblers at twice their normal speed and usually have to recharge in about 3-4 days. If you use the normal suggested amount of water all you'll be doing is washing rocks and grit. You DO NOT have to run at twice the normal speed but you DO have to use much less water. Tom
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ArkieRockhound
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2005
Posts: 870
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Post by ArkieRockhound on Mar 5, 2005 23:38:45 GMT -5
Thanks for all the great information! I'm using the #80 now, but the next load will go into #30 with less water. Is the same true with the #80 that I use? How much water do you use? The directions I've been following say to fill it until it comes to the bottom of the top row of rocks. I'm still a beginner. I put my first load in polish three days ago. Checked them tonight and they're starting to shine. Nothing fancy in it but they look great to me. I have about two loads ready for the 220 stage, but no free barrels. Can't wait for my next tumbler to get here. Thank God for Ebay! ;D
Trish
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ArkieRockhound
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2005
Posts: 870
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Post by ArkieRockhound on Mar 5, 2005 23:44:50 GMT -5
Tris, With 15lbs of rough rock I add 1.5 lbs of #30/60.I add only 1-1/2 cups of water.I run the roughing tumblers at twice their normal speed and usually have to recharge in about 3-4 days. If you use the normal suggested amount of water all you'll be doing is washing rocks and grit. Tom Hey Tom How do you speed up the tumbling? I have a home made job with three barrels, 12 lb and 2 6 lb. Works great and I stole it on Ebay. It has a 1/6 HP motor and two pulley belts, a long one and a short one. Do I need to really cut down on water for the #80 grit also and do you think it would hurt to add some $30 to the barrels that are running now with #80? The quicker I learn, the less mistakes I'll make. Thanks for the help. Trish
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birdseed
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2004
Posts: 167
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Post by birdseed on Mar 7, 2005 5:00:36 GMT -5
Speed is a non-issue....Tumblers are pre-set at maximum efficiency speed...Don't be fooled--more is not always better....
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