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Post by rockrookie on May 20, 2008 13:52:50 GMT -5
i've read about & tried using sugar to thicken the water in polish stage . it helped on 1st batch . i took it a step further and used corn syrup { karo} i used store brand $$ cheaper . it really cushions the rocks very well . naturally the more syrup to water ratio the thicker it gets sometimes looks like Elmer's glue when done . i still use plastic pellets , i haven't tried with out ,yet . i've used it in my 3-lb barrels for several loads . it doesn't take much ,but now i have a 6-lb & 9-lb barrels so i don't know how cost effective that will be . i hope this suggestion will help someone . i've got so much good advice from this board . i hope to help others in return too. paul
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on May 21, 2008 19:06:07 GMT -5
Paul,
I used to add sugar as well as the karo syrup. I don't do it anymore though. I guess I have become a more patient person allowing my stones and different grits and pellets time to do the job.
Steve
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Post by rockrookie on May 23, 2008 8:00:39 GMT -5
i'm learning & i can use good advice .. patience is the tough part ' but i'm getting it . also typing & computer practice i'm also a rookie with that too and a 2 finger typer . paul
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on May 24, 2008 2:39:17 GMT -5
RR, I've never tried the sweet tumbling, but based on what others have reported on this forum over the past several years, be careful and burp the barrel often. The sugar is a tasty treat to wild yeasts and bacteria, so there is a serious risk of fermentation in your barrel if it is sweetened with sugar, i.e., high risk of barrel-blowout unless it is opened frequently to relieve pressure.
-Don
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Post by rockrookie on May 24, 2008 20:53:12 GMT -5
never thought of that . my only worries before were ants . thanks !! paul
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jrtrio
has rocks in the head
With10 tumblers tumbling the sound is so delicious!Send me more of those little red fellas, please?
Member since February 2006
Posts: 535
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Post by jrtrio on Jul 31, 2008 3:06:37 GMT -5
I've always use sugar in the final stages, allowing the sugar granule's dissolve to help thicken the slurry but the granule's are still there and they do help with the polishing process. I try to stay away from the syrups because as in the one case you stated it got too thick almost Elmers glue like.
Time and patience will turn out pieces that people will swear are still wet from the rinse!
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Jul 31, 2008 5:22:58 GMT -5
Corn starch, or add more polish powder. though i run the Viber-sonic VS-45 all most dry.
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