Pitting in prepolish phase

bochley
off to a rocking start

Member since August 2008
Posts: 3

Pitting in prepolish phase Nov 7, 2008 17:31:41 GMT -5

Quote

Post by bochley on Nov 7, 2008 17:31:41 GMT -5

Hello everyone,
New to rock tumbling and I decided to go easy on my first batch so I am tumbling what most of you call "beach stone" I think. I picked up a bunch of different rock out of the San Juan river in Mexican Hat, Utah and it is already fairly smooth. I am using a Thumler AR6 tumbler and everything made it through the first 2 phases without any trouble. I am now to the prepolish phase and they have been going for 3 days. I checked them a while ago and notice that a few have some severe pitting where before they were perfectly smooth. Do I need to put more plastic pellets in with the rock? I have about 6 tablespoons of pellets to about 7lbs of rock. Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks.

rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks

Member since July 2009
Posts: 236

Pitting in prepolish phase Nov 8, 2008 1:19:11 GMT -5

Quote

Post by rollingstone on Nov 8, 2008 1:19:11 GMT -5

I think you need more pellets. I'm guessing that the AR6 uses a 6 lb barrel? I use Lortone 6 lb barrels and I add maybe 1 cup of pellets in pre-polish. That's 16 Tb. If they are fragile stones I'll use even more pellets.
-Don

captbob
no longer being taken for granite

St. Pete FL

Member since December 2007
Posts: 8,186

Pitting in prepolish phase Nov 8, 2008 15:17:45 GMT -5

Quote

Post by captbob on Nov 8, 2008 15:17:45 GMT -5

The AR6 is actually their 9 pound barrel (never figured that one out) and is VERY wide and not very deep. It's wider than the 12 pound barrel. This means rocks have a long way to "fall" when tumbling. 6 tablespoons of plastic pellets isn't anywhere near enough for the final stages.
You need pellets in that barrel to almost cover your rocks BEFORE adding water during the polish stage.

If you buy another tumbler sometime, get the 12 pound model, it's much gentler on the rocks.
I have all the Thumblers sizes, and only use the 9 pound AR6 for the 60/90 cycle, it is a very agressive barrel.

Dogs are unlimited lines of joyful credit with a payment that comes due all at once.

bochley off to a rocking start Member since August 2008 Posts: 3	Pitting in prepolish phase Nov 8, 2008 18:06:13 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by bochley on Nov 8, 2008 18:06:13 GMT -5 Thanks captbob and Don. I have added more pellets and I don't hear the rocks clanking together as before. Maybe I won't have anymore pitting!!

1Mark
noticing nice landscape pebbles

Member since November 2004
Posts: 91

Pitting in prepolish phase Nov 8, 2008 18:44:19 GMT -5

Quote

Post by 1Mark on Nov 8, 2008 18:44:19 GMT -5

Nov 8, 2008 18:06:13 GMT -5 bochley said:

Thanks captbob and Don. I have added more pellets and I don't hear the rocks clanking together as before. Maybe I won't have anymore pitting!!

Depending on how severe the pitting is, you might end up having to take them back a stage or 2 to get rid of the pits.

Mark

Deleted Deleted Member Member since January 1970 Posts: 0	Pitting in prepolish phase Nov 13, 2008 23:30:25 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2008 23:30:25 GMT -5 to those of you who have responded to this post, what do you use as pellets?

« Prev
1
Next »

rocknrob: That was one heck of a windstorm that thankfully missed me. I guess Seatac almost hit 60mph gusts. I bet those were some fun landings Nov 20, 2024 21:55:16 GMT -5

Post by bochley on Nov 7, 2008 17:31:41 GMT -5

Post by rollingstone on Nov 8, 2008 1:19:11 GMT -5

Post by captbob on Nov 8, 2008 15:17:45 GMT -5

Post by bochley on Nov 8, 2008 18:06:13 GMT -5

Post by 1Mark on Nov 8, 2008 18:44:19 GMT -5

Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2008 23:30:25 GMT -5

Chat Box v.2