jmc
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2010
Posts: 5
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Post by jmc on Dec 27, 2010 17:20:17 GMT -5
First post here. I bought a tumbler 30 years ago and used it for polishing ammo brass. I just gave it to my dad who wants to tumble "Apache tears".
The guy at the rock supply place wanted to know how big our barrels were and I did not know what to tell him. They (there is 2) 7.5 in dia and 8 in in length. Are they 6 or 12?
He sold us 4, 1 pound bags of sand (grit?) from coarse to fine. I think we have all we need to get started.
I THINK we should start with 1/3 stones, 2/3 water and 1/2 lb of #16 grit. Sound OK?
I down loaded the instructions posted here (very nice, thank you) but would still love to here from you guys. Thanks. Jean
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jmc
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2010
Posts: 5
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Post by jmc on Dec 27, 2010 17:50:29 GMT -5
Another quick question. The rock supply guy said to start with 16 grit but here it says 80 grit. What should we start with for Apachi tears?
The supply guy sold us (2) 1 pound bags of 16 grit, (1) 1 pound bag of 60 and (1) 1 pound of 80. All were $5.58 a pound.
Thanks
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slabcabber
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 590
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Post by slabcabber on Dec 27, 2010 19:27:40 GMT -5
I dont know who your rock supply guy is but uuuummmmmm.... I dont know what he has tumbled either. Start with 80 grit Silacon cabide grit then go to 220 grit then 600 grit then the polish of your choice. I have never did any Apachi tears but I have never heard of starting with 16 grit on any rock
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on Dec 27, 2010 19:40:33 GMT -5
I'd take the 2 16's back for a refund. I'm assuming rotary tumblers...sounds like 12 lbers. If you read the directions, you should fill the tumblers 2/3 to 3/4 full of rock. You can mix your 60 and 80 grit material. I use about 18 Tbsp in my 12s. Then put in water up to about 1" below the top of the rocks. I'd check the tears in around 4 days because the grit is pretty aggressive.
This is for just the coarse grind. Search Apache tears in the forums to go on to the next steps...or maybe someone will pop in here with their procedure.
>>>use only one barrel for the coarse, medium, and fine grind...use the other barrel for polish only. Mark the barrels so you/he knows which is which. This helps prevent cross-contamination.
Lee
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Post by MyNewHobby on Dec 27, 2010 19:45:40 GMT -5
Hi There! This is just my input and there are others here much more knowledgeable than myself.
LParker's post gave me some new information.
When working with Apache Tears, remember a couple of things.
Apaches are a volcanic glass and therefore are must easier and faster to lose mass and easily fractured or shattered if you do not use a good amount of cushioning.
When I work with any Obsidian(s) (volcanic glass) I use a lot of plastic pellets.
I have a Lortone 33B. This tumbler has 2 - 3 pound barrels. I fill the barrel up (good amount) about halfway with the rock itself (make sure to have various sizes and not just the same sized pieces), then the (almost to the top) remaining space with cushioning (plastic pellets). I only use 2 tablespoons of 60/90. Then I fill with water almost to the top of the barrel but below the area where the gasket/lip needs to be seated.
Hope this helps. I am always learning about this special rock and have grown to love it.
I have been posting my latest obsidian batch and will post it here if you would like to see it.
As always
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Post by MyNewHobby on Dec 27, 2010 19:46:33 GMT -5
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jmc
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2010
Posts: 5
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Post by jmc on Dec 27, 2010 20:57:51 GMT -5
Where are you guys getting the plastic beads?
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,352
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Post by quartz on Dec 27, 2010 22:03:29 GMT -5
We got our plastic beads from a company that makes flower and big nursery pots. Most molded plastic products start out being molded from melted beads. In regard to the 16 grit, we use it to rough tumble very rough "hillside", as opposed to river or beach agate and wood, works great.
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Dec 28, 2010 9:16:52 GMT -5
Airsoft gun plastic pellets & tile spacers (small plastic crosses, come in several sizes) are easy to find, local substitutes.
Dr Joe
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Post by deb193redux on Dec 28, 2010 14:52:00 GMT -5
I want to advise against filling to the top with plastic pellets. You need about 1/3 to 1/4 the barrel to be open space, or you do not get any room for the rocks to slide across the other rocks as the barrel turns. you can leave only 1/5 to be more gently, but you also have to decrease rock size a bit because "too big" is judged relative to the amount of slide space. When the length of the slide gets smller, so should the rock. One that can only slide about a inch will take forever.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Dec 29, 2010 4:05:45 GMT -5
Hi JMC You will get some good advice from the Pinned recepies on this section
As for plastic material some one used the little plastic spacers that you use when tiling a bathroom , otherwise Rockshed has the real beads , others have used beads that are stuffed into toys,
jack Yorkshire uk
Ps As Deb above says make sure there is enough room for the mixture to tumble , this is a brilliant drawing and extreemly important ,
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jmc
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2010
Posts: 5
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Post by jmc on Dec 30, 2010 22:22:27 GMT -5
We just put a load of Apachi tears in the tumbler and it's in the garage tumbling away. Thanks for all the help in getting us started. We'll keep ya updated on the progress.
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