glcarvings
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2011
Posts: 2
|
Post by glcarvings on Jan 23, 2011 15:10:45 GMT -5
I am new to all this so I thought I would seek the advice of people familiar with the process. We have a Raytech Tumble-vibe and are into our first load of polishing a batch of agates found in Oregon. We are into our 4th day and have rinsed the batch every 24 hours and started over with the 120 grit medium. The instructions say to do this between 5 and 10 days. My question is...we have noticed that the stones get coated with the gray mud and they don't rinse off completely. We do the best we can in the rinse but it would take using a tooth brush to every rock to get it all off. Is this normal? We are very excited about starting this new hobby and would appreciate a little advice about this. Thanks for the help. :help:
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Jan 23, 2011 15:36:48 GMT -5
First of all, welcome aboard. It sounds to me like you may not be using enough water. Try adding an extra ounce or two of water, and just a little bit of Borax to the mix. If you still have mud sticking to your tumbles, try running a cleaning stage with just borax and water added to your rocks. This should clean the mud off. Then rinse them real good and go on to your next grit stage. The instructions that come with tumblers are seldom accurate. It takes trial and error, and a notebook. Keep notes of everything you do for the first few tumbles, and you'll be able to go back and see what works, and what doesn't.
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Jan 23, 2011 17:23:00 GMT -5
it might take an extra spritz, likely less than an ounce, about 3/4 into the cycle. it does get a little with thicker mud right before the grit needs changing. when too thick it is not grinding, so watch and spritz.
aa long as the grit does not dry, you do not have to really scrub if recharging with the same grit.
|
|
glcarvings
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2011
Posts: 2
|
Post by glcarvings on Jan 23, 2011 17:31:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the help. The instructions call for 4 tsps of water and check after 8 hours, sounds like it might not be enough water. I will try the borax cleaning and start over again. Thanks for the help all.
|
|
|
Post by tntmom on Jan 23, 2011 22:51:09 GMT -5
If I can add something, tumble in the Raytech 120/220 until no crevices are left. Also I used to have a Raytech and added 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of borax to each stage. It seemed to help as a cushion, grit carrier and aid in cleanup. Some people add a squirt of dishwashing liquid and a bunch of water to the load 15 minutes before rinsing, it is supposed to help with the cleaning. With my Lot-O that cuts down cleaning to just a few minutes, never tried it though in my old Raytech.
|
|
drdrew
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since September 2010
Posts: 85
|
Post by drdrew on Jan 25, 2011 16:59:32 GMT -5
i have the raytech as well. i find that after rinsing the rocks there is usually enough water in there to just add back the grit and let it do its thing for 3-4 hrs bfore giving a couple squirts. beware that too wet doesnt do you any good either, u sort of want to ride the line. dont be overly concerned with rinsing the grit perfectly off as long as you are not changing stages.
|
|