dom92
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2008
Posts: 8
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Post by dom92 on Sept 17, 2008 22:18:39 GMT -5
I'm getting ready to leave for 18 days, and I'd hate to lose all that time with my two-barrel Loretone sitting idle. I was thinking of starting an especially rough batch before I leave, but I've never run the tumbler unchecked for more than 3 or 4 days. I was thinking of adding a bit more course grit than usual, and just letting it chew for the entire 18 days I'm gone.
My main concern is that the course grit is going to be used up after 7 days and the rest of the time I'm just wasting electricity (hence my idea to add a little more grit than usual). It's a brand new tumbler that's only seen two loads, so I don't think I'm too worried about breaking a belt or burning a motor up. Can anyone else think of things I should worry about?
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Post by akansan on Sept 17, 2008 22:26:37 GMT -5
Actually, if you had an almost finished rough stage, one that needed just another week or so, that would be ideal to throw in right now. The rough grit will break down in its normal time period (unless you add extra) and then it would take it through the fine and start the pre-polish by the time you returned.
Other than that, I think you're safe.
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181lizard
Cave Dweller 
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
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Post by 181lizard on Sept 18, 2008 1:03:48 GMT -5
dom...I've left my coarse run FOREVER without opening or anything and I found something amazing...they had gone all the way through all 4 phases and I ended up with a finished batch! If you think about it...the different size of grit break down until they are so fine, they end up polishing to a mirror finish.
The only thing I would be concerned about is the motor going belly up & frying or some horrific thing!! Good luck!
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dom92
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2008
Posts: 8
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Post by dom92 on Sept 18, 2008 1:37:16 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. I've never considered how a course grind could eventually work in to a polish state if given enough time. It certainly makes sense now that I think about it. I think the motor should be okay since it's a fairly new tumbler, and I'll make sure I don't overload it to be safe. I might also throw a new belt on it just to make sure I don't have any problems.
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Sept 18, 2008 6:09:48 GMT -5
Go for it, dom! I've started a new coarse tumble before a 14 day trip and it worked out fine. It's so great to realize that you are "getting things done" even while you are away!
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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 Sept 18, 2008 6:26:13 GMT -5
I do it all the time with coarse tumbles. I even leave polishing tumbles run that long on occassion. I can't sleep when I'm out-of-town if I know my Lortones are sleeping too!
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Sept 18, 2008 10:05:17 GMT -5
But what is the upper limit on how long you'd leave them running? I am leaving for 28 days in November. There will be a house sitter who would notice if there was some horrible problem (fire, smoke, etc.). I figure it's just a waste of electricity to let things run much longer than 15 days or so, so my current plan is to leave them idle (boo!).
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Post by akansan on Sept 18, 2008 10:07:44 GMT -5
ejs - someone let them run for about 3 months and came back to polished rocks. I think 28 days would be fine and not a waste of electricity at all.
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Sept 18, 2008 10:11:33 GMT -5
akansan - did you read a hint of "begging for justification" in my post? Way to enable me! ;D Heh heh.
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Sept 18, 2008 10:39:51 GMT -5
hey ejs , you could always drop them off at my place , I would be more than happy to "barrel sit " LOL
Dennis
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 18, 2008 21:56:16 GMT -5
My standard practice is to start the barrel with an extra dose of 60/90 and let it run for 4 to 5 weeks (hard materials like very rough agate); sometimes a little more if I get distracted (vacations included) and follow this with 4 weeks of polish. Works great for me.
Bobby
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