soccermud
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2008
Posts: 18
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Post by soccermud on May 10, 2009 18:16:32 GMT -5
Hey all, quick question. When I'm tumbling in the coarse grit stage and I go to recharge the grit, should I be taking out certain stones and replacing them with more? If so, which stones should I be taking out? Rounded ones, ones with cracks, ones with pits?? What should I do with the stones with cracks and pits? Thanks for helping.
Chris
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Rogue Trader
freely admits to licking rocks
"Don't cry because you are leaving, smile because you were there."
Member since December 2008
Posts: 839
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Post by Rogue Trader on May 10, 2009 18:27:09 GMT -5
Chris, When checking/recharging, I just check for progress of the rocks. If there are any with natural defects showing, then I'll take them out (basically) bash them with a hammer to reshape, then return to barrel to continue with mother load. Otherwise it is personal choice - remove stones ready for next stage or remove (and replace) defects. Either way your barrel is going to need refilling with newer rocks. Not much help I know, but you did ask  |
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on May 10, 2009 22:04:04 GMT -5
Hi, Chris. When I recharge (which I do every 5-6 days of 60/90 coarse in my Lortone QT66s), I rinse the rocks and give them a look. If any are well rounded and in a shape that pleases me, I set them aside to go on to the next stage. I put all the others back, and then add fresh rough to bring the barrel up to 2/3-3/4 full: Water + grit + start again. If a rock has any kind of groove or pit, I'll keep it for another round. It will typically take at least 3 rounds (for soft stone) and possibly up to 8 rounds (for harder stuff like some agates) before I get any that are ready to move on. And then another bunch of rounds until I have enough ready for the medium stage. So, for a typical tumble, I'll run 10-15 rounds of coarse with a recharge between each. But I like my stones to be quite well rounded, so it takes me a long time:  Many other folks prefer a more "natural" shape and so will run fewer rounds. Find what makes you happy. Good luck and be patient! |
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