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Post by BuiltonRock on Mar 19, 2008 14:37:11 GMT -5
Good info. here!
I have a couple 3lb Thumblers.
My style is to start a fresh batch with 4 or 5 tbs 60-90 and run it for a week, then week 2: add 2 or 3 tbs 60-90, then week 3: add 2 or 3 tbs 60-90 and so on until the stones are where I want them, usually 4 or 5 weeks. I then add in 120-220 and let her go for 2 weeks or so, since all that 60-90 is now broken down, I may add a dash of water here and there. I never clean them until I get to this point.
I then clean them up completely and go from there, maybe 2 more weeks of 120/220 or maybe on to 600, depends on the look.
But after the coarse stages I always clean them completely and start fresh.
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Mar 20, 2008 13:13:57 GMT -5
I have 5 3lbers I start every batch fresh 3-4 tbs, run for 7-10 days clean and start fresh again . I'v read pros an cons about adding grit without cleaning .. so I guess its alot of personal pref. I like the idea of starting each run fresh .. I do save the used grit ... not sure what I'll end up doing with it lol probibly use it when I build a larger tumbler , just to save money
great thread
Wolf
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Post by akansan on Mar 20, 2008 17:07:40 GMT -5
I've played both ways - starting fresh and just dumping additional grit in. Definitely had better grinding action starting fresh...I just make sure I'm not pitching loads of still good grit...
I'll never forget the time I opened my barrel to a rotten egg smell and yellow slurry. Ugh.
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Mar 20, 2008 19:07:09 GMT -5
I guess I'm too much of a clean freak. I use my rotary with 2-12# and 2-6# barrels for course grind only. I clean them out completely every two weeks. After two weeks they have a nice thick slurry. I would be afraid if I tried to save some of the slurry it would get too thick after two weeks.
I cleaned out my tumblers last night because I'm heading to Montana this weekend. I was very pleased with the results in the rotary barrels. All fresh batches of rocks 10 days ago and they are rounding nicely.
I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm out of tumbling rough. Hopefully I'll find some interesting Agates in Montana.
Rolling, rolling, rolling
Keep them tumblers rolling
Rough rock!
Apologies to those old enough (like me) to remember the theme song to the TV show Rawhide. It was just one of those random thoughts that bounced out of my head and spilled out on my keyboard.
Rick
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geogoddess
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 287
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Post by geogoddess on Mar 20, 2008 19:43:09 GMT -5
lol Rick, I'm much younger, have probably only seen a few episodes in reruns, before it was taken off the air completely. But I routinely have that song going through my head when I play with my tumblers.
After seeing my results and whatnot, I'm thinking about a 2 week cycles as well. My rocks weren't rounding out, but just not enough, and any pits had no hope.
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