fredda
starting to shine!
Member since May 2007
Posts: 25
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Post by fredda on Nov 30, 2008 16:58:19 GMT -5
Hello. I recently got a 3/1.5 Loretone tumbler and have some questions re its use. I tried using just 1 barrel and filled as directed. Altho I think I put too much 60/90 grit in it for its size. 4Tbs. After 2 days, I opened it and a lot of the rocks were stuck in a "grit sludge" that was in the bottom. O.k-so I emptied that mess out and tried it again using a lot of the same rocks , but just 2 Tbs. grit. Just let it go for sev hours and checked to see what was going on, inside the barrel. Still a few stuck stones and abit of non-circulating grit. What might be my prob, here? Also, the single barrel wants to "walk" up or back on the rotating rods. Does being absolutely level make a diff? Thanks, fredda  |
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navi
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 229
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Post by navi on Nov 30, 2008 17:19:16 GMT -5
hmmmm as for it being level, shouldn't make a difference.
you didn't mention a few things other than 'filled as directed.' stone should fill the barrel 2/3 to 3/4 of the way. water should be enough to just reach the top layer of stones. what are you tumbling? 4 tbs should be right.
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Nov 30, 2008 19:50:30 GMT -5
For those little 1.5 lb barrels I usually only use 2-3 tbsp, 3-4 is appropriate for the larger 3 lb barrels.
You can look through the post history around here and find all kinds of good tips, navi's suggestion of a proper fill is really important for these smaller barrels, also you want to have a good mix of sizes of stone in each load to help keep things circulating.
Grit in those should run at least a week before needing to change or recharge.
And yes, the lone barrel will tend to wander until it hits the end of the frame, being level helps somewhat, but its no guaranty against wandering barrels- you might just put the other barrels on to take up the space, it usually isn't a problem, unless it gets to rubbing the bottom against the end sheet metal, if it does that- turn it around so the lid is at the end that's riding against the frame.
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Post by connrock on Dec 1, 2008 7:56:30 GMT -5
If you're rocks are getting stuck as you say then the rocks are NOT tumbling.
The smaller barrels are more critical as to what size rocks you put in a load.
If you have mostly larger rocks (about 3/4"-1") and only a few smaller ones,the rocks will NOT tumble as they just don't have the room to do it.
Small barrels = small rocks.
When you have a barrel(of any size) that is loaded properly with the right mixture of different size rocks you should be able to listen to it when you start it tumbling and it should sound somewhat like pouring the rocks from one hand to the other.
A sort of swooshing sound.
If you don't hear much at all then you either have too many rocks in the barrel and or you don't have the right mix of sizes.
Having the right mix of sizes is V E R Y important because all those smaller rocks will give you the proper "surface contact" between each other,the bigger rocks and the grit.
Yes it may seem like a waste of time and effort and even rocks for that matter but it's the nature of the beast and that's that!
Listen to your barrel and it WILL tell you what's going on inside without opening it.
Swoosh is good
Clunkity clunk is bad
No sound is also bad
Good luck.
connrock
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fredda
starting to shine!
Member since May 2007
Posts: 25
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Post by fredda on Dec 1, 2008 8:46:05 GMT -5
Thanks to all for your replies. Lots of helpful info. I esp like "small barrels= small rocks". I think that may have been 1 of my probs. Also learning to "listen" to my barrel(s). fredda |
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