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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Jan 31, 2010 11:56:37 GMT -5
The last batch I tumbled I used an unknown polish that I inherited when I was given my 15# Thumlers. Someone had marked #4 on the container, it was very white and I had no clue as to what it was. I guessed it was polish because it stuck to my finger instead of just brushing off like borax would. I used it in my last batch simply because I wanted to see what it would do. It did a very good job, however there was black stuff floating on the top. You can see it in the pic. The polish has sunk to the bottom, the black stuff in floating on top of the water. Donnie Attachments:
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CUL-Ann
spending too much on rocks
rock lover~
Member since September 2008
Posts: 380
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Post by CUL-Ann on Jan 31, 2010 12:39:07 GMT -5
Did you clean the stones and the tumbler real good between each cycle ??
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Jan 31, 2010 16:23:28 GMT -5
I did & the stones look good that came out of polish. Even the polish at the bottom of the container looks good and I will use that again. It's just the black stuff floating on top of the water is a mystery!
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 31, 2010 18:16:53 GMT -5
Are we talking about a vibe tumbler? The new Thumlers vibe bowls seem to be made of a different material. The black stuff is actually particles of the bowl. This could be a possibility with the barrels as well.
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Jan 31, 2010 22:41:13 GMT -5
No, it's a rotary.
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cornorstone
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2009
Posts: 19 
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Post by cornorstone on Feb 4, 2010 11:07:11 GMT -5
rubber shavings from the inside of the tumbler?
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Feb 4, 2010 13:47:32 GMT -5
I'm betting it's the barrel, too.
Chuck
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Feb 4, 2010 16:05:47 GMT -5
Thank you, that's what I was thinking as well.
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 5, 2010 9:31:21 GMT -5
Unless it is an old drum it is probably the lid gasket. That has always been the weak part of the Thumler's 15 lb drum. The liner and barrel are warrantied for 5 years. The lid gasket has no warranty.
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Feb 5, 2010 9:50:19 GMT -5
Thank you, John, however it was my two 3# Lortone barrels. I have them going with prepolish right now and they will be coming off tonight or tomorrow. I will see what happens then!
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bobh
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2009
Posts: 55
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Post by bobh on Feb 5, 2010 10:42:23 GMT -5
I have Lortone barrels and often get the black flecks at polish stage. I use borax in a pre-polish burnish and suspect that has something to do with it.
Bob
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