ace
starting to shine!
Member since August 2008
Posts: 39
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Post by ace on Nov 5, 2008 10:56:34 GMT -5
Started my first tumbles about 2-1/2 weeks ago. I first started with the agate/mix that catmandewe sent to me. Initially I had just sorted thru the box to find smaller pieces that were a good size for the tumbler I have. BTW, I have a Lortone 4-1/2 lb and 3lb model. I then tumbled that batch for a week. When I got that first batch out, I only had 5 or 6 small stones that looked ready for the next stage. I put those aside, reloaded the barrel of the 4.5lb with grit and stone and let it run again. I figured I had too much water and maybe too much stone which may have kept from having more of the stones turn out the way I wanted. So with less water, I ran the batch another week. This time, I ended up with again, 5-6 stones that would be OK to progress. From looking at them, I realized that most of the leftovers were shaped and smoothed OK, it was just they had lots of pits, or other problems. And the real problem was they should have had the problems areas broken off before they were tumbled to begin with. So I bought a masons chisel and began to trim off the problem areas. While I was at it, I went back into the box and broke up a bunch more into tumbling sized pieces. Since it looked that the 2nd week of tumbling was more effective at smoothing the stones, I thought I had it about right on the amount of water and stones to use. However, I thought it could still be better and wondered what I could do differently. After reading some posts here, I figured that I probably did not have enough small pieces to carry the grit into crevices of the bigger stones. So this past Sunday afternoon, I reloaded the barrel with the trimmed up stones, plus some of the new pieces that I had broken up and a lot of small chips from breaking the stones. I couldn't stand it and had to open the barrel and look at the progress yesterday (Tuesday). So it was only a couple of days, I knew not to expect much progress. But was surprised by how much the new pieces had smoothed already. So I will leave them alone and give them a full week in the rough grit. Will let you know how this batch is progressing.
Also, I decided to put some the stuff I got from the gem mine trip into the 3lb to see what happens. I picked thru to find the best pieces of smoky quartz, rose quartz, amethyst and out of curiosity 3 or 4 pieces of aquamarine. I started the rough grind of it also on Sunday afternoon. I looked at them also on Tues. There was a lot of gray water and a lot of ugly gray foam on top. It was not making much noise while tumbling so I poured out some water. I hope this helps, but will give an update on this later when its had a week to grind.
Randy
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1rockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 286
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Post by 1rockhound on Nov 5, 2008 11:45:10 GMT -5
2 weeks is nothing for a rough grind. I currently have a batch that is in week 11 and probably will go at least another 4 weeks in 60/90. Don't try to rush the first stage as it will determine what the final out come of your tumble will be. This is what my rough looked like when I started.  Jason |
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Nov 5, 2008 19:28:17 GMT -5
It sounds like you are on a good track, ace. Keep playing with it, making adjustments, and observing what happens. I suggest you keep a notebook, as your 2 barrels and various schemes will start to get mixed up in your mind!
As Jason said, the rough grind takes a long of time. I find that it takes several rounds before I get any rocks ready to move on, and then (as you observed) I tend to find a small amount ready each subsequent round. You might try rough rounds of 5 or 6 days (instead of 7), as that might save you many days in the long run. I have a batch of quartz/citrine that is currently in round12 of the rough tumble (I keep adding new rough as I pull the done ones out). Patience is the key! Good luck and keep us informed. Photos are always fun and helpful
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1Mark
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2004
Posts: 91
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Post by 1Mark on Nov 6, 2008 0:24:13 GMT -5
As Jason said, the rough grind takes a long of time. I find that it takes several rounds before I get any rocks ready to move on, and then (as you observed) I tend to find a small amount ready each subsequent round. When you speak of "several rounds", are you adding new grit at the start of each round? Mark |
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Post by connrock on Nov 6, 2008 6:26:32 GMT -5
Randy,
I always try to stress the importance of having AT LEAST 1/3 of the load being small pieces down to 1/4" but it seems to go un-noticed at times as we try to get as many "good" rocks in a load and don't want to waste the space for those tiny throw aways.
I save all of my throw aways and put them into bottles of all sizes down to bottles about 1/2" diameter X 1" high.This is an incentive to put them in the load!! LOL
I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy to hear that you are not afraid to experiment and try to theorize what should or should not be done to make a load more or less productive.
I have stumbled on to so many different things doing exactly what you are doing!The problem with most of us is the time involved in doing "experiments" and especially if we only have 1 or 2 tumblers.
Trough the years I managed to "acquire" several tumblers both rotary and vibe.I now have 10 ranging from 15 pounders to 1-1/2 pound units along with 2, 4pound vibe units!I used to run them all but had to cut back due to a lousy retirement fund! LOL
Keep doin what your doin and before ya know it you'll be advising instead of asking!!
BRAVO!!!!
connrock
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Post by connrock on Nov 6, 2008 6:28:14 GMT -5
Jason,
That is some awesome looking Morrisonite!!
How the heck did you come by it?? It must have cost you a small fortune!!
connrock
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Post by connrock on Nov 6, 2008 6:31:58 GMT -5
Mark,
You should start with fresh grit after every roughing just as you did to start the load.
Some folks save a bit of the left over slurry to start the next load but I find that adding new tiny rocks each time will help to not only give you more surface contact between the rocks/grit but will also start a slurry faster.
connrock
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ace
starting to shine!
Member since August 2008
Posts: 39
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Post by ace on Nov 6, 2008 11:22:19 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies! Yes, I added new grit before starting another cycle. After the first round, I left the slurry in the barrel, replaced the stones and started again. But this last recharge, I cleaned the rocks, added some new stones with the small pieces and clean water. Since adding the small pieces and chips, it sounds louder and like there is a lot more grinding going on. I have some pics to include that are when we started the very first batch. I will try to include some pics of the stones that are ready to move on with ASAP. If I can recharge the rough grit after 5 or 6 days, I will change it out on Friday or Saturday. Will also try to take pics of all that also. I have been making notes on a sheet that came with the grit from the Rock Shed. Its just enough to makes some very basic notes with. But I have to get a notebook that I can devote to this, that will have more room to make better notes about what I have done. Randy This is the first batch of rough stones that we started with  Katie and Maya are inspecting everything before we start the batch.  Barrel after it was loaded with stone, grit and water. After a few days I removed some of the water.  This is Katie after she put the barrel on and is plugging in the tumbler to get the first batch started.  |
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ace
starting to shine!
Member since August 2008
Posts: 39
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Post by ace on Nov 7, 2008 19:14:44 GMT -5
Today has been 5 days since I had recharged and reloaded the tumblers. Since I have to work the next couple of days, I thought I would go ahead and check the tumblers and recharge the grit again. Both tumblers had a nice thick slurry and had made good progress. Especially in the 4.5# tumbler with the agate mix. I only pulled a few stones out of each tumbler, but a lot of the agate should be done if this cycle is as effected as the last one. I think putting a lot more smaller stones in the batch made a HUGE difference. I would not have know to do that, if I had not found this site.
I am glad I have taken the time to read a lot of posts here and thankful that so many experienced people have taken the time to post and reply to messages here. I know that I would have been frustrated by now without the advice from here. Its helped me to understand what is going on better and given me information to make necessary changes based on the results I am getting. Also to realize that I am not messing up too much and things are really progressing as they should.
Thanks for looking and replying,
Randy
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