|
Post by gr on Oct 31, 2010 18:05:30 GMT -5
What exactly, is meant by a balanced tumbling load? I did read thru the rock tumbling tutor. but didn't glean the info of what I think it's suppose to be. thanks for any input to help me
Gary
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Oct 31, 2010 18:52:20 GMT -5
I've never heard of a`balanced tumbling load but can tell you most people that play with rocks are a little unbalanced.
|
|
snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
|
Post by snuffy on Oct 31, 2010 19:14:14 GMT -5
I guess you are probably referring to rock sizes. Larger rocks balanced out with smaller rocks in the tumble. I think most tumblers go with maybe a third of the batch smaller.You dont want all the rocks to be the same size.
snuffy
|
|
|
Post by rockrookie on Oct 31, 2010 19:16:19 GMT -5
my guess would be that the " balance " would probably refer to being close on hardness... ex . you would not want something rated as a 4or5 tumbling with an 8 . --paul
|
|
|
Post by tanyafrench on Oct 31, 2010 19:19:21 GMT -5
That is the way I have understood the balanced load. I load my larger stones then I have some pea size lakers I throw in to complete the load. They keep everything turning. Gary it's like you use the small pieces of Petrified Wood as a filler. Keep doing that and you have a balanced load. If you check the pictures (excuse the quality) I posted today of my new tumbled batch you will see the small Lakers. A long time ago a guy sold me a box of lakers but they were all so small I couldn't do anything else with them but they are great for this. I was disappointed at first but they have served a purpose. It was not someone from this site. Tanya
|
|
|
Post by gr on Oct 31, 2010 23:01:06 GMT -5
Snuffy, I wasn't exactly sure of what I was talking about. I had seen something about this in a thread on here somewhere but I couldn't find it. What y'all have answered for me seems to sum up a balanced load. It seems to me that it couldn't be anything else but having to do with the hardness factor and size ratio. I don't see how the additives could have anything to do with balance.
John - I think it's from our addiction to rocks, that causes us to look for them in the hot sun of summer. I know I've done it so I think I fall into your definition.
Gary
|
|
revco
starting to spend too much on rocks
Another Victim Of The Rockcycle
Member since February 2010
Posts: 162
|
Post by revco on Nov 1, 2010 2:00:04 GMT -5
I've generally taken it to mean a good balance of rock sizes. I can also tell you what happens when you don't have a balanced load and your tumbling setup is on a table that isn't 100% locked into place. The tumbler goes a bit crazy, vibrates excessively and then causes the entire table to collapse. The result is a rather chaotic situation, but on the bright side, I found that Lortone tumblers can take this negligent abuse without much complaint. Cheers!
|
|