sford13
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2009
Posts: 119 
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Post by sford13 on Oct 7, 2009 6:39:59 GMT -5
Yeah I am still working on my first batch. Took 3 weeks in the first stage, and they were pretty smooth river rocks to start with. And I know that the book I got with my Lortone says a week but also mentions repeating the step if the shape you want is not desired. I think that is the hardest thing. Trying to wait and not rush the next step. Now I have some rock that are ready for the next step but have to wait because I don't have enought of them after loss and culling the bad ones. That is why I got another tumbler on the way. Hopefully speed up the process.
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Oct 7, 2009 10:25:28 GMT -5
OK I failed to read all the comments so if this is a repeat- I apologize. Use one Barrel for course- that will probably run ALL the time (it take the longest so should be used the most) Save on barrel for Polish (nothing else- JUST polish) then divide the other 2 barrels between your remaining steps (I use 120/200, 500, and prepolish- I would combine the 120/220 and the 500 steps to one barrel, and save one barrel just for prepolish) THat is how I used to do it when I only had a couple barrels running.
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 7, 2009 10:37:32 GMT -5
Connrock- I thought the villagers would be coming for you (and me for agreeing with you).
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Oct 7, 2009 14:04:22 GMT -5
One thing I will mention with having one barrel and one tumbler one might rush a batch to the next stage before it is completely ready. With having multiple barrels and the devices to roll them (tumblers), rock tumbling becomes a lot more enjoyable and productive. It becomes a sorting exercise when cleaning out barrels from the rough grind. Separate the rocks ready to go on to the next stage, put the ones back in the rough tumbler that are not ready, and add more new rough stone to fill out the barrel for the rough tumble. You can wait until you have enough stone to start the next stage or use filler to fill out the barrel.
When anyone is starting out rock tumbling I always recommend them buying a tumbler with at least two barrel capacity.
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sford13
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2009
Posts: 119
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Post by sford13 on Oct 7, 2009 14:18:38 GMT -5
I have two double barrel capacity tumblers. And my goal is to have two barrels dedicated to the coarse grinding because it takes so long. I was just wondering what other of the remaining stages could be combined in one of the barrels since there would be 3 stages left and only two barrels.
Given the replies on here I think that I will go with two coarse, a combined medium and fine, and a polish only barrel. And I am considering running a couple runs of coarse in the medium/fine barrel to work up some stock so that I don't have barrels sitting and doing nothing. Knowing that once I get ready to switch over I will need to clean them.
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Post by connrock on Oct 8, 2009 5:26:19 GMT -5
Hey John I've had some outright ornery female "villagers" gunnin for me here in the past and it got sooooooooooooooo bad once I just quit the board!!!!
It took me a while to swally it but as you know I came back but with a MUCH thicker hide,,,,,,,specially in my buttox area!!! lol ll lol
I guess you can say I've been called the "Village Idiot",,,like a fool took it to heart but then let the "real' joking around Tom come back full steam ahead!
Heck tonyturner and tony waterer keep tellin me I have a attitude problem but I take that with a grain of salt cuz it's comin from an over educated,skinny tall drink of water and a rebel from Georgia!!! lol
I LOVE IT TOO!!LOL
conn-found guy with an attitude!
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 8, 2009 8:57:28 GMT -5
I never run from ornery women. I generally marry them.
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lablover2484
starting to shine!
Member since September 2008
Posts: 39
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Post by lablover2484 on Oct 8, 2009 22:19:57 GMT -5
I have a probably common question for everyone because well, there is no other way to put it except it confuses me. I have a barrel dedicated to each cycle, with that out of the way. Exactly how many stages is there? From what i gather from various sources is that,
first stage 80 grit- (can take forever)
second stage220 grit-(at this point, move on or bounce back)
third stage pre polish 500 grit- (once rolled)
clean and roll with borax (one roll)
polish(one roll)
OK where i am confused is, is 1000 the final polish? or is it just a very fine grit and the polish is Aluminum Oxide?
Do you use 500 or 1000 for pre-polish?
And finally what is the difference between 500 Aluminum Oxide grit and 500 Silicon Carbide grit?
Please help I have been working a long time on getting a finished product and I don't want to mess it up.
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 8, 2009 22:45:22 GMT -5
A lot of the confusion is the"prepolish" term used sometimes for 500/600. 1000 is a prepolish and usually only needed on softer materials. 500 al ox and SC are used interchangeably. I think since SC breaks down but stays sharp it is a better choice.
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Post by connrock on Oct 9, 2009 6:21:57 GMT -5
OK John ya better call in the villergers again!!1
I dissagree with the "only use 1000 on softer materials" part.
I use 1000 grit or Tripoli on everything I do.
However,,,I use only 1/2 teaspoonful for every 4-1/2 lbs of rocks as I have a vibe unit that I use for everything after te rough stage.
If I used 1 of my rotaries I WOULD NOT use either of these as they would cost me WAYYYYYY too much.
connrock
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 9, 2009 8:46:50 GMT -5
If I remember right the original question was using a rotary. And Tripoli is generally the least costly prepolish.
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Oct 13, 2009 13:57:36 GMT -5
I'm with Tom. I consider 1000 grit pre-polish and 600 grit pre-pre-polish. I haven't used Tripoli yet. Maybe with my next grit order.
Note: I do all my final grinding, pre-polishing and polishing in vibes. 120/220 -> 600 -> 1000 -> Micro Alumina
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