cgodfrey
starting to shine!
Member since March 2011
Posts: 26
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Post by cgodfrey on Mar 20, 2011 18:02:56 GMT -5
Hi All, Well I started my first batch last week and its been a week today. Opened my tumbler and washed the rocks and tumbler all up. That is more difficult than I had anticipated. I am going to need DH to build me a work bench or something. As it is, I used my patio. I have been keeping a log of my checks and how much water or grit I added. I had read that I could save and use my slurry over and just recharge it. Well I was not as prepared as I thought I was so ended up pitching it and starting over. I don't know exactly what I need to do to get more organized but I will be working on that. I took picture of progress so far. Beach stones from Oregon that I am adding to make up the rock lost. How many tumblers do you all have? ? I have already decided I want 2 more or maybe I am just a little nuts LOL!!! Christy
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lloyd1wv
starting to shine!
Member since December 2010
Posts: 47
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Post by lloyd1wv on Mar 20, 2011 20:18:14 GMT -5
Welcome to the "fever"! Looks like you are on your way! In a few months you'll have rocks all over the place! --Are you using a rotary of a vibe tumbler?
Lloyd
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cgodfrey
starting to shine!
Member since March 2011
Posts: 26
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Post by cgodfrey on Mar 20, 2011 20:54:27 GMT -5
Hi Lloyd,
I am using a rotary lortone 45c. And to think I thought I was doing good getting it instead of the 3a. I just told dh that I NEEDED 2 more, another rotary and a vibe (the lot-o). He laughed and said " its a hobby to last a lifetime not a mission to shine 10 tons of rocks this summer!" I guess I will wait a little longer and plead my case again. I am going on the second week of owning my lortone. Maybe it was to soon to ask for more (hehehe).
I just notice my rocks still have some grit on them. I was working hard to get that stuff off and noticed I left some on. The rocks went back in the 60/90 for another week so I assume its ok that some grit was left.
Christy
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Mar 20, 2011 21:14:20 GMT -5
Yeah,that was a little soon.Shoulda waited another week.Start looking for a saw now,and a cabbing machine,get em lined up. ;D
snuffy
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Post by tntmom on Mar 20, 2011 23:40:01 GMT -5
Those are coming along nice! I love that you are two weeks in and already planning for more tumblers! ;D Addicting huh? I have two lortone rotaries and a lot-o vibe. But... once you get a vibe, then you'll want a tile saw to make those fun preforms! It doesn't end there either !!! ~Krystee
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Mar 21, 2011 1:29:35 GMT -5
Hi Cristy, Welcome to RTH from Uk Hope you continue in a fascinating hobby and as Krystee says "It dosent end there either" Dont worry about grit on your rocks UNLESS your changing Grit Grades (Stages ) Give them a few weeks to get to the shape you want them , Remember to fill up the barrell with the same stage as you go through or you could get some scratches and a bad finish I know it takes time to build up a "balast collection" of the stages If you want to wash of your rocks good do it the easy way clean out all the old gook, Then put the dirty rocks back with some soap or a bit of borax run for a few mins to 1/2 hour , wash up Seeding the barrel I used to add a bit of gook to a the batch to help convey the grit around (stick to rocks ) but I now use a bit of wall paper crystals or soap to act the same , and it dosent have rock mud in it so I get the full "Bite " of the grit Washing up, I use a old stainless steel sink, from a scrap yard works well for me Just remember NOT to put any rock gook down the house drains it will block them up even if you have a washing machine before the sink exit , it just dosent wash away Personal experiance Jack Yorkshire uk
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 21, 2011 8:06:27 GMT -5
Starting out nice! As to the # of tumblers, Well I have only 4- but 2 of those are 2 barrel machines, and one is a 12 Lber. All total I can run 27Lbs of rock at one time. Plus I have 2 tile saws, a dual expando drum cabeer, a dremel and diamond bits, and a very understanding wife!
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carneliancanuck
having dreams about rocks
Member since November 2010
Posts: 63
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Post by carneliancanuck on Mar 22, 2011 10:45:25 GMT -5
i use one 3lb thumler. i own a couble barrel lortone 3lbs each barrel, but we do not get along at all and i retired it. i just make sure the barrel is clean before moving from course to fine and so on. i burnish before switching to a different grit. i also make sure i take out any rocks that have small cracks that can carry unwanted grit to the next stage. ultimately it would be nice to have a barrel for each stage but if your careful, one barrel will do. your rocks are looking good though. they did pretty good for 1 week in the coarse, one more week and they should be ready for medium. i wish i cuold get my lortone to work like that.
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rockwizz
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2007
Posts: 971
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Post by rockwizz on Mar 30, 2011 23:03:40 GMT -5
Nice batch...
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