rockhappy
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2010
Posts: 12
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Post by rockhappy on Sept 28, 2010 20:17:39 GMT -5
Hi All- I inherited some slabs cut from jasper and agate chunks. They are about 4.5 to 6mm thick. Would these be OK to put into my QT66 with other non-slab material? I've also got some large chunks of rough. Been reading about the Workforce? Tile saw and using that to prep the rough into pieces or slabs. What is the best thickness for slabs to survive the rotary tumbling process? Thanks for any advice you can offer. --Hol PS. Is this how it starts...ohhh what have I gotten myself into??? ;D...
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Sept 28, 2010 20:27:16 GMT -5
I've done jasper and agate slabs in my QT66. Those faceted inside barrels can encourage a lot of drop and knocking together of the rough so when I do slabs, I try to avoid really big hunks of rough but rather run a full ( 2/3 full barrel) load of medium to small rough with only few slabs at a time. This prevents chipping of your slabs from being bashed by large rocks, cushions the load and makes for better surface to surface contact so you're sure the flats get properly smoothed and polished. I actually do some fairly thin slabs with no problems, sometimes as thin as 1/8" but 3/16 is better. Kind of depends on how tough the material is. I use my workforce to cut slabbettes all the time. Works great..Mel
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Post by tanyafrench on Sept 29, 2010 5:00:00 GMT -5
Yes, this is how it starts. You have started with a good size tumbler. I started with a 1.5 E Lortone, yes that is 1 1/2 lbs, real small. Added a 33B with two 3 lb barrels and then added a Thumler's B with a 15 lb barrel. They are all running at this time. It is truly addictive but I would not give it up, it's like Christmas every time I open a tumbler. Enjoy! You can learn all you could ever want to learn from this site. Have a question, just ask. Everyone will try to help. Welcome aboard the RTH!
Tanya
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 29, 2010 8:33:49 GMT -5
The lady that taught wire wrapping where we used to live had a big bag of "free forms" her late husband made. Thy were 1/4" slabs hammer broken into random shapes and tumbled until edges were rounded and faces and edges polished. You could cut shapes with the tile saw as well.
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Sept 29, 2010 10:55:27 GMT -5
ditto on Mel's/tanya's Johns' reply...lots of us tumble shine Cabuchons( small slabs ) with great success (if not as much control as a grinder gives you)
charlie
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