fisherman510
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 113
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Post by fisherman510 on Aug 26, 2008 6:22:22 GMT -5
I am tumbling my first batch of rocks in a new tumblers tumbler. They have been going for a week and I can see that they new to go longer. When recharging, do you clean the rocks and start fresh or just add grit?
thanks,
Bob
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Aug 26, 2008 7:06:19 GMT -5
I always rinse the rocks thoroughly with water and then sort through them. There are usually none that are ready after just one week, but that's because I start with very rough material. Smoother starting material could be properly shaped after one week. I check them carefully, running my fingers over the surface, looking for cracks, chips, rough spots, or pits. If there is a deep fissure or pit, I'll usually bash them with a hammer to break them into smaller pieces. If a rock seems properly shaped and is generally smooth over the whole surface, I put it in a jar to wait for the next step. But most of the material goes back in for a repeat of round 1. I then add some more fresh rough to bring the barrel back up to 2/3-3/4 full. Then I add 4 TB of fresh grit (this is a Lortone 3 lb. tumbler) and water to just below the level of the rocks. Then tumble for one week. Then repeat!
There are lots of variations on this theme. I'm sure you'll get lots more good advice in this thread from those more experienced than I am. Be patient, and good luck!
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chassroc
Cave Dweller 
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Aug 26, 2008 8:29:21 GMT -5
I clean them, even if I know they need more time, because I am curious about their progress or the lack thereof. It doesn't hurt to keep some of the sludge to jumpstart the recharged batch, but if you just add grit without washing, you should be careful the grit does not get thick enough to retard the grinding and abnging action.
csroc
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lsmike
spending too much on rocks
Maxwell's demon lowers tumbling entropy
Member since January 2007
Posts: 468
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Post by lsmike on Aug 26, 2008 10:17:04 GMT -5
Another thing you can do is weigh your rocks before and after tumbling then figure a percentage lost.I find 10% pretty good.You can also weigh individual stones;you will generally find less reduction on the larger ones.Mike.
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Post by johnjsgems on Aug 26, 2008 13:48:33 GMT -5
I usually check every 3 days and add a little grit then if it looks like progress is not progressing. After 10 days or so there is usually a thick gooey slurry and the grit is broken down. In a 3 lb. tumbler it is easier to rinse out and start fresh. Rinsing doesn't have to be thourough. In a large tumbler (I had a 40 lb. unit that took 2.5 lbs of grit at a time) you can adjust grit and thin down slurry if too thick.
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