|
|
Post by rockrookie on Apr 16, 2010 18:05:44 GMT -5
well i have posted a few pictures of finished batches , before . so this will be my 1st to show pixs from start to finish . so this will take several months , based on my growth of tumbling patience . this is also my 1st batch in my new (used ) 12lb Thumler . hopefully all will tumble well together . here is the variety : 2-lbs montana agate 3 lbs chevron amethyst 3 lbs plume agate 3 lbs Turritella 8 TBSP 46-70 6 TBSP 60-90 i will probably have to highgrade as is go along , if some smoothes up quicker than others . patience is key !! i plan on NOT opening for 4 - 6 weeks here are the before pixs .      i took the out of barrel to make some more room for rocks to move . i will probably open lid and add as many as i can in 2 weeks .  this is the current fill level before watar and grit . Thanks for looking !! --paul |
|
|
|
Post by frane on Apr 17, 2010 10:18:56 GMT -5
Hey Paul, Sounds like you are experimenting. Are you not going to add any grit in between the 4-6 weeks? Well, it is worth seeing what happens. I will keep watching with interest!
Fran
|
|
|
|
Post by Toad on Apr 17, 2010 10:36:22 GMT -5
Looks like it will be a good batch. But if you don't open for 4-6 weeks, won't it take even longer to get through the first grind - meaning you won't be re-charging every week???
|
|
|
|
Post by rockrookie on Apr 17, 2010 20:12:09 GMT -5
very good ?
i have done this several times in the past .
so it has been trial & error learning .
in my experience so far with this technique ...
by using 46-70 grit as well as the 60-90 . when i rinse out after this ammount of time .
there has always been alot of grit granuals very visable . plus since i do have some more rock to add , once the rocks start to wear down a little . i might add some more .
after 1st long run is done , i will rinse out completly . and then most likely rerun with mostly 60-90 for another long run . then go from there .
thanks !!
--paul
|
|
|
|
Post by susand24224 on Apr 18, 2010 17:21:14 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing the beginning pictures. It will be very interesting to watch the progress all the way through. I'm especially interested in the results of your very looooonng first run. I've noticed lately that sometimes the grit is almost "gone" in 3-4 days and other times it hangs in there for weeks. I'm sure some of the variables are the barrel fullness and hardness of the rocks, but I am really watching to see if I can get a more precise handle on exactly what is happening in there. You sharing your process, complete with photos, will go along way toward helping with this.
Thanks again!
Susan
|
|
|
|
Post by rockrookie on Apr 26, 2010 18:59:27 GMT -5
just a quick note of progress .
after 10 days i was able to fit in the rocks that originally did not fit .
i did not rinse out , at this time . i did decide to add 10 TBSP 46-70 grit .
i would like to leave tumble as it is for 3-4 more weeks , before looking again .
--paul
|
|
|
|
Post by frane on Apr 26, 2010 20:02:30 GMT -5
I am going to look forward to seeing your next step! Looks like a great batch!
Fran
|
|
|
|
Post by rockrookie on May 26, 2010 19:04:46 GMT -5
here are some new progress pictures after about 6 weeks so far . 1st is the Amethyst , it is definitely the smoothest . however i am leaving them in for 1 more cycle of coarse grit , then i will probably put them aside . until otheh types of rocks catch up .  the Montana Agate are the next smoothest . yet , they still need more rolling .  the Plume Agate still needs much more time , we'll see in a few weeks  the Turitella looks like it may be a bigger challenge . but , i have patience & determination  this is how full all of the rocks looks in 15lb Thumler barrel . before adding new filler .  now i added some filler . i chose these slablets , as i figured that they could be easily identified . and , many should turn out to be , finished Cabs .  i will continue in another post in a few minutes --paul |
|
|
|
Post by rockrookie on May 26, 2010 19:13:39 GMT -5
more progressive pixs! this shows my water fill level.  this is after i added 12 TBSP 46-70 grit  the plann is to let tumble for about a month . i will probably add more 46-70 or 60-90 once or twice in this time . but , most likely will not rinse out . just examine a few peices . thanks for looking . as i stated in the beginning . this will be a long process . i will try to do my best , to be thorough in my record keeping & posting pictures . --paul |
|
|
|
Post by frane on May 26, 2010 19:54:25 GMT -5
That sure is a massive tumbler barrel! I can hardly handle the 6 lb ones! The chevron amys look great! Plumes are always so difficult! That turritella should start shaping up soon!
Fran
|
|
|
|
Post by 150FromFundy on May 26, 2010 20:42:39 GMT -5
Try your Turitella on its own with a lot of pellets for cushion. The Amethyst and Citrine beat it up in the mixed load.
I only tried one load, but the black heavily fossilized pieces polished beatifully. The lighter charcoal grey areas on some were softer and prone to pitting.
Darryl.
|
|
|
|
Post by Roller on May 26, 2010 21:03:22 GMT -5
thanks for the pics ...very informative and helpful....
|
|
|
|
Post by tkrueger3 on May 26, 2010 21:09:57 GMT -5
Man, I think you're tumbling more rock in one load than I did in 6 months total! They're looking good, for sure. The amethyst kinda makes me think of purple candy corn, for some reason!
Tom
|
|
|
|
Post by rockrookie on Jun 5, 2010 11:54:02 GMT -5
Man, I think you're tumbling more rock in one load than I did in 6 months total! They're looking good, for sure. The amethyst kinda makes me think of purple candy corn, for some reason! Tom purple candy corn . great desrcription , Tom . --paul |
|
|
|
Post by NatureNut on Jun 5, 2010 12:35:14 GMT -5
How did I miss this? Paul, this is a great thread to follow. Good luck and lookin' good. Agree on lots of cushion once you move on. Jo
|
|
|
|
Post by rockrookie on Jul 11, 2010 7:22:54 GMT -5
BUMP !!
i'm going to post new pictures .. soon .
--paul
|
|
|
|
Post by frane on Jul 12, 2010 7:50:29 GMT -5
I am looking forward to seeing how they are progressing. I may finally have a batch in a week or two if all goes well.
Fran
|
|
|
|
Post by rockrookie on Jul 12, 2010 19:28:47 GMT -5
updated pixs . these have been rolling in 46-70 for over a month since last pictured   Turritella  Montanas  Plume Agate  Chevron Amethyst  Slablets & asst peices of filler that were added at last run thanks for looking ! i'm am going to post some more pictures , next . that shows just before i set for another long run. --paul |
|
|
|
Post by rockrookie on Jul 12, 2010 19:43:56 GMT -5
i decided that these have had enough course grit run time .  i will add these back to reat of batch once they are all ready for 500grit . although i think that these would be smooth enough to take a great polish right now  these few are the only of the Amethyst that i am putting back in coarse grit all but just a few of these will go back into coarse grit all of the Plume Agate , Montanas & Turritella will go on back to coarse grit  these will replace the Amethyst Zebra stone , Boysenberry Quartzite , Chysocolla . --paul |
|
|
|
Post by rockrookie on Jul 12, 2010 19:47:09 GMT -5
2 more pictures of , just before closing lid  full barrel , dry  with water and 15 TBSP 46-70 grit thanks for looking !! --paul |
|
