chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Mar 3, 2010 12:14:47 GMT -5
have a double barrel tumbler with 2 three pound barrels. Starting with hard rocks, mainly agates and such. How much of the polishing grit do I add for each step??? I'm looking at this wondering how much 60/90 I need for my first tumble...
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revco
starting to spend too much on rocks
Another Victim Of The Rockcycle
Member since February 2010
Posts: 162
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Post by revco on Mar 3, 2010 12:29:52 GMT -5
For my stuff, I generally go with about 1 1/2 tablespoons per pound of rock for 60/90 and 120/220 and 500 grit. This would equal about 3 tablespoons per barrel. For pre-polish and polish, I use about 1 tablespoon per pound of rock. I fill with water to about 1/2 to 1/4 inch below the rock level. You can use more if needed - you want an almost pancake batter consistency.
Please note that I exclusively use tumblers and your vibe may require different amounts.
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Mar 3, 2010 12:50:06 GMT -5
Yes, the vibe is totally different, thanks for the info! Okay, off to a good start, not sure I put enough grit in there, but will see in about an hour. So, got about 5 pounds rolling around, much quieter than I remember as a kid when I got my first tumbler, it was a real racket. Anyway, thanks for the advice, I'm happily started now, have to wait on the Vibe as I don't have 120/220 to start it. Got 60/90, 500 and polish, forgot the important middle step...lol...
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revco
starting to spend too much on rocks
Another Victim Of The Rockcycle
Member since February 2010
Posts: 162
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Post by revco on Mar 3, 2010 13:00:55 GMT -5
After doing a bunch of reading on here, many have concluded the 120/220 step is often not necessary. I still do it, mostly out of habit and to get that extra smoothness that the 60/90 can't provide. Heck, I read a post in the photos section where a guy went straight from 60/90 to polish and got a beautiful shine.
You'll probably want to keep your stones in 60/90 for at least two weeks and possibly longer, depending on the initial condition. I make sure that they are entirely smooth (no cracks, holes or places where grit can get trapped) before moving them to the next step. Shaping is the most important step, in my opinion, as it ultimately determines the quality you will get in the remaining stages.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 3, 2010 15:39:50 GMT -5
You were joking about the "will see in an hour"? Open it up in 3 days and you should see a slurry forming. This reminds me of a guy at a show once. He said he bought a tumbler but it didn't work. I asked him what the problem was and he said he ran the darn thing for two hours and the rocks looked just like when he started them. As far as quantities, 60/90 and 120/220 3 tablespoons would do. A little less for the 500F and prepolish if you use it. Polish depends on what polish you use. It can be 3-4 tablespoons for grit kit cheapo polish to 2 teaspoons for good quality aluminum or cerium oxide.
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