nickinmass
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2010
Posts: 18
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Post by nickinmass on Sept 7, 2010 9:45:23 GMT -5
So how do I gauge the proper amount of water to add when doing a medium grit step with plastic pellets added?
Newbies here (me and my 7 yr. old daughter) moved to the medium grit stage with our first load in our new Lortone tumbler. I put the rock in, added plastic pellets to between 2/3 and 3/4 full, then added what turned out to be a random amount of water, as (a) the pellets float and (b) I couldn't see really where the water came up to.
Any recommendations on a non-random way to add water?
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 7, 2010 10:01:54 GMT -5
Put water in until it's just below the top of the rocks in your barrel. When I use plastic pellets, I put a layer of rocks in the bottom of my barrel, add the pellets, and then add the rest of my rocks. Plastic pellets are supposed to float. This makes it easier to separate them from the rocks during cleanup. I pour everything in one of those plastic ice cream buckets, add water and stir it to make the pellets rise to the top. Scoop off the pellets, let them dry on an old towel and put them in a container marked with the grit stage they were used in. The next time you tumble a fresh batch, re use the pellets for that grit stage. The pellets can be re used many times, as long as you don't mix the grit stages they were used in.
Don
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Sept 7, 2010 12:32:32 GMT -5
This may seem obvious, but you can put your finger in the barrel to the appropriate depth and stop adding water when the tip gets wet. We had a poll recently on how much water people use and as I recall, slightly more people fill to below the top layer of rocks. The key is to find a level that works for you and use it consistently.
Chuck
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nickinmass
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2010
Posts: 18
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Post by nickinmass on Sept 7, 2010 13:37:54 GMT -5
OK, so I ignore the pellets and add the water based on the rocks?
I had a look in the barrel yesterday (day 2) - watery and not forming the nice slurry like in the coarse grind (although I didn't look at the coarse until day 7). Should I be looking for form a slurry like with the coarse grind?
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 7, 2010 13:50:02 GMT -5
Be patient. It takes a few days for slurry to start forming. In course I just turn it on and let it run for a month. Then after cleanup I do the same in stage 2. But I'm running 15 lbs at a time, and most of my material starts out pretty rough.
Don
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nickinmass
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2010
Posts: 18
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Post by nickinmass on Sept 7, 2010 14:18:39 GMT -5
Thanks - I won't worry about it for now and will reassess this weekend. If nothing else, I will do it right next time around.
My daughter is really the impatient one, although she sort of forgets about things during the week (but she love, love, loves opening the barrel and going through the stones at the end of the week and then wants them done right away - we start the next round and she forgets until I remind her again)
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slabcabber
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 590
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Post by slabcabber on Sept 7, 2010 14:37:19 GMT -5
First of all, welcome aboard... When I get to the plastic pellets stage ( for me it is the third stage, 600 grit that is when I add plastic pellets ) I put my rocks ( little over 5/8 full ) Then add water till it is just below the top of the rocks. Then I add my grit after the water and fill it to 3/4 full with the plastic pellets after the grit. Has worked great for me. I open mine the next day to release the gases and cant see the rocks. But can feel them just bearly below the water (approx 1/4 inch )..... Hope this helps you out..
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