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Post by Noosh9057 on Dec 16, 2003 22:52:02 GMT -5
Just wanted to know how long you all get out of the coarse grit. Well after about 4 days in the coarse it seems to lose a lot of the Coarse. My question is should you leave it in the same gite for two more days to get some use left in it or is that just a waste of time. Should I recharge it in for days and throw the old grit away?
Thanks
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Post by docone31 on Dec 16, 2003 23:32:49 GMT -5
There are some occasions that I run an extra week with the coarse grit. I do rattle the drum every day to loosen up the dense grit that seems to collect at the end of the drum. I believe, no proof, that the stones wear down the grit during time. With some stones, I go two weeks with the original grit just to wear down the grit and stones. I believe and have had some success with this method. The blue aventurine seems to like this process. Essentially I double the grit times for each charge. Even with a thorough wash between cycles, I still find grit that is of the original charge. I like to run the cycle and as the stones lose size, I flush slightly and add water to the original charge. Some stones like this, some it is just a waste of time. I can hear the change as the stones wear.
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Post by docone31 on Dec 16, 2003 23:33:47 GMT -5
There are some occasions that I run an extra week with the coarse grit. I do rattle the drum every day to loosen up the dense grit that seems to collect at the end of the drum. I believe, no proof, that the stones wear down the grit during time. With some stones, I go two weeks with the original grit just to wear down the grit and stones. I believe and have had some success with this method. The blue aventurine seems to like this process. Essentially I double the grit times for each charge. Even with a thorough wash between cycles, I still find grit that is of the original charge. I like to run the cycle and as the stones lose size, I flush slightly and add water to the original charge. Some stones like this, some it is just a waste of time. I can hear the change as the stones wear.
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Post by docone31 on Dec 16, 2003 23:34:40 GMT -5
Whoops, I guess this is double shot tuesday.
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Dec 17, 2003 0:40:32 GMT -5
Even if the grit looks broken down, you'd be surprised at how effective it still is. I usually wait 7 days to clean and recharge. 4 days at a minimum, and that's when I'm feeling impatient. I'd say just let it go 7 days. Make sure you're using 60-90 grit not 40-70. I find 60-90 to be much more effective dispite popular belief . Bigger isn't always better. The larger (40-70) grit doesn't cover as much suface of the rock and dosen't stick to the rock as well as 60-90.
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Noah
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2003
Posts: 102
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Post by Noah on Dec 17, 2003 12:40:35 GMT -5
There is no perfect time since each type of stone will be worn down differently. You need to test and check...the aventurine i've been doing has been running 7 days in the original charge and theres still good grit in there so I might just let it run to 10 days. (stones were very oddly shaped). But I do agree 60/90 grit is the better way to go...the 40-70 tends to get stuck in the corners of the barrel.
-Noah-
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Post by Noosh9057 on Dec 17, 2003 14:03:14 GMT -5
Thanks all for the good Advice I am going to let it run. It is great to leave a message and in about three hours latter you have great advice. This Board is the best.
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Dec 17, 2003 16:32:39 GMT -5
Another consideration to make is whether there are enough small (pebble size) stones in the mix to allow for proper grinding. If there isn't, friction will be reduced leading to lack of grit break down as a consequece.
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Post by docone31 on Dec 17, 2003 18:57:25 GMT -5
I agree, I leave the smaller stones that I do not want to really polish hard to use as dunnage. I have found that if it is only large stones, I have to tumble longer. If I use small stones in the mix, I get better results. I have also gotten comfortable with letting the grinds go longer than 7 days. Sometimes I go 10 days and get great results.
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