rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Feb 13, 2009 12:06:04 GMT -5
I've found that when rinsing barrels if I let the water run into the barrel and pull the rocks out and rinse them off individually I can save what's left of the grit at the bottom of the barrel. This is opposed to dumping the barrel contents in a colander and rinsing it all out. This will give you an idea how long your grit is lasting and I reuse what there and add more grit when reloading the barrel.
I started to come up with ways of capturing grit for reuse when I saw how much grit I was washing down the drain from my laundry sink in the garage that drains into my back yard.
Other than the above mentioned method I also have a 5 gallon bucket that I drilled one inch holes in near the top. Then I put a colander that fits on top of the bucket and the bucket on an old baking sheet with a 1/2 inch lip around the edge. This design will work with or without a sink to wash out in. After 5-6 12lb tumblers I get about 1 1/2 inches of grit in the bottom of the bucket and a good amount on the baking sheet. I mix half old and half new when recharging the barrels.
HTH
Rick
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prettystone
starting to shine!
Never expect anything and you'll always be surprised!
Member since January 2009
Posts: 25
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Post by prettystone on Feb 13, 2009 21:55:14 GMT -5
Thanks so much Rick, what a great idea. I have a number of 5 gallon buckets that I could put to good use!
Cheryl
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 716
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Post by docharber on Feb 15, 2009 20:04:01 GMT -5
Hi Cheryl-
I'm a newbie too and have been experimenting for about 6 months now. I have learned the following:
1. patiencs pays off. I rum some batches a month and check the barrels weekly.
2. Do rinse thoroughly between stages. i use a vibe for the last two stages, the rotarioes for the first where I want to remove more material. vibratory tumblerts are really fast and use much less pricey grit. They won't change the contours of the stones much though, so have them in final form before they go into the vibratory tumbler. It's a great idea to have 2 bowls for the vibe, dedicated too prepolish and polish stages.
3. Use plastic peellets for the final two stages and when tumbling soft materials in all but the first grind.
4. It pays to use quuality polishes. I use cerium oxide optical grade for everything, especially softer stuff, but aluminum oxide is great for everything especially harder material. Frankly, though, I think technique is more important than the polish itself given that the products you use are of good quality. Patience pays here, too.
5. I do a half-charge weekly. When the slurry is thick and I can't easily eub it off the stones with my finger, it benefits from thinning. I add water up to almost the top of the barrel, stir things around a bit, and let things settle for about 5 minutes- no more. The grit is heavy and settles out fast to the bottom of the barrel. The excess water and suspended rock slurry I pour off into a bucket. I add half a charge of grit and reseal, then go another week or more as needed. I think adding a few drops of dish detergent (lots of opinions there!) helps the slurry from coating the rocks too thickly and impeding the abrasive action as does tThinning the slurry. You will doubtless find your own way eventually, and master the 5 or six tumbklers you'll have going in a year or so.
Mark H.
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prettystone
starting to shine!
Never expect anything and you'll always be surprised!
Member since January 2009
Posts: 25
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Post by prettystone on Feb 15, 2009 21:06:39 GMT -5
HI Mark, Thanks so much for your advise. The patience part is the hardest! I am leaving this second run for 10 days. Some of the stones had a good start on shaping and may be ready after this run, then maybe not! I hope I do have 5 or 6 tumblers by next year! I already have enough jasper to run on its own and enough quartz of many colors to run. This is all for a 15 lb barrel!
Cheryl
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