rockhappy
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2010
Posts: 12
|
Post by rockhappy on Sept 13, 2010 20:15:54 GMT -5
Wow, this is really exciting. I just rec'd my QT66 from Shawn at the Rock Shed. Ordered a bunch of large and med mixed rock and some mex lace too. After reading many posts here, I plan to reserve one of the barrels for polish only. Probably should get another barrel for the early stages.
I have a question about loading and the weight. I've read the description of the Tumbling Cycle on this web site and it mentions filling the barrel to 3/4 full but nothing about weighing the rock. Then adding 1 tblsp of grit for every pound of rock. Do I need to weigh the rock or do I estimate it -- 3/4 full in a 6 lb barrel is about 4.5 lbs. -- means I need 4.5 tblsp of grit. Is that reasonable?
Also, do i need to weigh the full barrel so it doesn't exceed 6 lbs? Seems like I could be over after adding water.
I'm sure I'll be back on with more questions. Thanks for any advice you all can offer. Been staying up late reading many posts. A wealth of information and experience here. Thanks.
--Hol
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Sept 13, 2010 20:49:38 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure that if you weigh your barrel empty, and then fill it 3/4 full and weigh it again, you'll find that you've put roughly 6 lbs of rocks in. The barrels need that 1/4 free space so that the rocks can properly tumble in the barrel. Don
|
|
slabcabber
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 590
|
Post by slabcabber on Sept 13, 2010 21:08:53 GMT -5
HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE FORUM...I am kinda new at the tumbling part of the rock world to. I have been cutting and polishing cabs for about 5 years now. This is how I do my grit, I add grit as if the barrel was full, May seem as if your wasting grit but it cuts good this way,( I tried a few different ways before sticking with this way )so if its a 6lb barrel 3/4 full I still add grit for the full barrel so for a 6lb barrel I would put 6 Tbl spoons of 80 grit, then 6Tbl spoons of 220 grit and, then 3Tbl spoons of 600 grit and then 3Tbls of polish run as long as your tumbler directions calls for or until you get the finish you want . Works out good for me. The length of time you let them tumble in 80 grit is up to you . Depending on the shape you want the rock to be. But remember that the 220 will also cut away some of the stone as well. So to answer your question about weighing the rocks I dont ever.. Good luck
|
|
|
Post by 150FromFundy on Sept 14, 2010 6:30:11 GMT -5
A general "rule of thumb" for any rotray barrel is to fill 2/3 full of rock and 1/2 full of water, then add the appropriate amount of grit (1 tbsb per poind of barrel capacity). This work for me regardless of the barrel diameter.
In the early days, I use to load 3/4 full of rock to get as much finished product as possible. However, I found the reduced free space in the tumbler barrel slowed down the process, and it took longer in Stage 1 (60/90).
Darryl.
|
|
revco
starting to spend too much on rocks
Another Victim Of The Rockcycle
Member since February 2010
Posts: 162
|
Post by revco on Sept 17, 2010 20:23:33 GMT -5
Congrats on diving in. Tumbling is some pretty fun stuff, especially if you like rocks! But then, if you didn't, why would you be drawn to tumbling in the first place?!?!
I see that your question hasn't been directly answered. No, I don't ever weigh my barrels and they've been fine. I've found that once the water, grit and any media has been added, it usually exceeds the so-called "limit" of the barrel. From the limited weigh-in's I've done, a 6lb barrel usually ends up around 7lbs or so. I've had a couple tumblers last me for years this way and while there may be slight differences in belt/motor life, I've generally found it to be acceptable. I do keep a fan on my QT66's though because the motor runs hot and high heat can easily reduce motor life.
Generally speaking, the difference between 2/3 and 3/4 is very small, typically less than a 1/4" depending on the barrel...but like Darryl said, a slightly smaller load tends to be more efficient. I usually try to hit 2/3 fairly closely and by the time I add pellets and such, I'm usually very close to 3/4. Obviously with a larger 12lb barrel, the difference becomes more noticeable...so if you decide to go with bigger barrels, more care should be taken to get your loads right.
Hope that helps! Enjoy!
|
|
rockhappy
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2010
Posts: 12
|
Post by rockhappy on Sept 25, 2010 21:44:45 GMT -5
Thank you all for the advice. I've got my first batch running now. I did just post about the motor running hot and I just reread your post, Revco, and I see that you keep a fan on it. Good idea. Thanks again.
--Hol
|
|