Larry
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 267
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Post by Larry on Jun 16, 2008 14:23:52 GMT -5
I am working on a system of tumbling to get the most out of my two barrels and had a question about plastic pellets...
Are the pellets used only for space and cushioning with less rock volume or should they always be used no matter what?
The way I am running the barrels, I am doing multiple runs in 120/220 then getting a full 2/3 - 3/4 barrel load for prepolish. I always see mentioned about diminishing load size as you go being a reason for pellets but if I combine loads, do I really need them? Is there still a cushion value if volume is not an issue?
Thanks once again for any responses!
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Post by deb193redux on Jun 16, 2008 14:51:18 GMT -5
For some fragile rocks, like apache tears, the cushioning is desirable. But, having a full lood gives some cushioning anyway. IMHO in most cases you can skip them if your polish loads are properly filled.
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Larry
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 267
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Post by Larry on Jun 16, 2008 21:40:02 GMT -5
Thank you for the response. I'll skip them when I can. Those things get annoying quick.
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Post by deb193redux on Jun 17, 2008 0:22:24 GMT -5
try washing in a 5gal bucket. the pellets will float to the top and be more easily skimmed off.
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Post by LCARS on Jun 17, 2008 1:53:35 GMT -5
Yeah, the pellet debate never ends here... ...some people swear BY them and some people swear AT them. You seem to be of the latter type Larry. ;D I'll second what's already been said and add that as long as you have "well balanced loads" from start to finish, pellet fill is not truly necessary for good results... BUT unless you do have a pile of rocks at various stages and sizes and the experience to know how to maintain the perfect balance, it's not always easy to do without them. Pellets are a relatively cheap, easy and effective way of providing small volume filler while cushioning the load and acting as a media carrier for the prepolish and polish stages in rotaries, especialy where impact damage from overspeed and underfill can ruin an otherwise sweet batch in the last two stages depending on the rock types. Ceramic pellets are one alternative designed primarily for vibes but many RTH members have had good results using them in rotaries too. They are not as easy to separate from the rest of the load though, since they can't be floated off like plastic pellets and have to be picked out by hand. I've been using pellets for so long it's just part of tumbling to me so I never really fret about having to deal with them but now that I think about it, they are pretty pesky little buggers aren't they?!
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fanatic
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2007
Posts: 233
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Post by fanatic on Jun 17, 2008 5:09:12 GMT -5
I like using pellets. I think it allows running somewhat different hardness materials in the final two stages. Materials like Banded Amethyst and Smoky Quartz are chip prone. I do what Larry does in the initial two stages - save enough rough stuff for balanced loads.
I float the pellets off in a gold pan and just dump them into a screen. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have those gold pans all over the place. They sure come in handy.
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Larry
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 267
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Post by Larry on Jun 17, 2008 8:39:57 GMT -5
Part of my issue was that I was operating without a strainer to this point so fishing them out with my hands was no fun. I'll keep on using them I suppose since I now have a better means of dealing with them.
Since I have been tumbling beach rocks to this point, I guess it's best to use pellets since I have no idea what each of them are. I wasn't thinking about the different materials part.
Thanks for the advice!
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Post by creativeminded on Jun 17, 2008 9:10:03 GMT -5
I generally only use pellets in my 500, 1000, tripoli, and polish stages. I do have some pellets for my 120/220, however, I usually just add different sizes of filler rock that I have. Since I have only bought two bags of pellets since I started tumbling consistantly for the last 5 years. I even made ceramic jars with holes in the lid to put my pellets and keep them seperated by grit. Tami
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Post by connrock on Jun 19, 2008 6:45:42 GMT -5
Hi Larry, A few years ago there were a LOT of people complaining on how messy plastic pellets are to use and that they stick to everything. I did the following with my Grandson Mike (who was 7 at the time) as proof that "Even a kid can do it". imageevent.com/tcknkk/mikesfirstbatchoftumbledrocks;jsessionid=x2atoft661.buffalo_sAlthough there are many other ways to handle pellets I think this proves that they can be dealt with without any problems. connrock
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Post by LCARS on Jun 19, 2008 14:13:24 GMT -5
Cool slideshow! Here's some old shots of my strainer rig that I posted here some time ago. It handles a 3lb barrel load and it's been working great for me so far. Don't ask me where I bought them though, I liberated these from a kitchen cupbord. ;D
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Post by connrock on Jun 20, 2008 4:31:12 GMT -5
LCARS, Shame on you liberating kitchen "tools"!
I go "shopping" in the kitchen quite often when "she who buys every new kitchen gadget on the market" isn't here!!! LOL
Although it's not rock related my latest "liberation" was a 16 Qt stainless steel pot that I converted into a pond filter!!!
I think I might get caught on this caper but since I retired (and she's still working) there's no holds bared when it comes to "liberations"! LOL
A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do!!! LOL
connrock
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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 25, 2008 14:08:35 GMT -5
Since I do all the cooking around here I'm the one who buys the "gadgets" I use! So, when at any kitchen store I'm always on the lookout for large strainers since the one I have has taken a beating and needs to be replaced. But, using your hands to scoop out the pellets really isn't a good idea when dealing with the smaller abrasives. I've found using the 5 gallon bucket is best with the larger loads from the larger tumblers, but if you are using a smaller tumbler, 1#-3 # then using a large "kool-ade" pitcher works best with a smaller strainer. I then use 3 Tupperware-like tubs to hold the "used" pellets so when I need pellets for a certain load I can use those that have "experience" and a little bit of grit to help out in the tumbling. You can really use them forever. But, like others have told you, having enough mix of stones to run from start to finish is best. I've always tried to buy enough rock to run 2 - 3 loads so when they start losing their bulk you just start adding them together until your final stage of polishing has enough rock to do the job. But, alas that can't always be the case and that's when you will need another media to "fill" your load to at least 2/3 to 3/4. Happy tumbling!
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