learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Apr 5, 2011 14:40:36 GMT -5
I've got this 3lb Thumbler as my first real rotary tumbler. It runs okay. But, I like to check it every few days and resealing the rubber barrel so it doesn't like seems really tricky.
I wipe the outer 1/2" or so of the lid off with a wet and then dry paper towel. That gets the grit and slurry off the part of the lid that mates with the barrel. That's easy.
But, cleaning that grove in the rubber barrel seems to be a total PITA. It takes me several passes with a wad of wet paper towel and then dry paper towel so that when I put the lid back on and put it on the tumbler, it doesn't leak all over. It often takes me two or three tries before I get it clean enough so that it doesn't leak.
Is there some trick to keeping that grove clean so it's easy to open and close the barrel?
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playin4funami
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since March 2011
Posts: 87
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Post by playin4funami on Apr 5, 2011 20:45:38 GMT -5
I saw someone somewhere using a handheld spray bottle of water to clean the sealing area, best thing would probably be to leave it alone, but it is hard to do.
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Apr 5, 2011 20:53:11 GMT -5
I try to clean mine well,but they leak for a few minutes every time I change them. I just wipe up the water.Then they stop.
snuffy
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Apr 6, 2011 10:08:39 GMT -5
Spray bottle and paper towels. You can also empty the barrel out and do a more complete cleaning. Or just let the barrel run for a week with no peeking- Honestly your not missing much. Or make a clear lid like I did for my avitar (no really DON"T as the plexi leaked real real bad- but it was cool for a few hours)
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Post by 150FromFundy on Apr 6, 2011 11:26:29 GMT -5
Use a spray bottle to clean the rim in the rearly days. Once you get more confident with the tumbling process, you will let the cycle go for 5 to 7 days without the need to peek. Problem solved.
Darryl.
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blessed
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by blessed on Apr 6, 2011 13:26:12 GMT -5
hello leann2turn; I don't have any experance thumbler barrels. Ido have an idea, a spray bottle and a small brush, tooth brush. This should take care of grit, finish up with wet clouth. I looked every few days when I started. I have Lortone tumblers.
Have a blessed day Blessed
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Apr 6, 2011 14:21:51 GMT -5
I'm trying not not to peek frequently (as it is a PITA).
I do want to check every few days to--
1) see if there is any grit left. 2) see if there is progress. 3) check consistency of water.
I know the process is slow but after 1.5 weeks, I'm not seeing much in the way of rounding. Yeah, I know be patient. That's okay.
I'm wonder if I have too much water though. When I check now, all the rocks are completely under water by 1/4-1/2".
Maybe I should drain a little water and add a couple teaspoons of grit on the next check?
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Post by tanyafrench on Apr 6, 2011 16:57:12 GMT -5
I empty my 3 lb tumblers every 5 to 7 days, then recharge with grit and start them again. As they round out the stones get somewhat smaller so you would be elevating the water level. Sounds like you need to empty, rinse the stones and the tumblers, recharge and start it again. This way you get to really see all the stones and you can appreciate what has been happening. Tanya
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charles kuchar
spending too much on rocks
getting ready for the second coming
Member since November 2010
Posts: 300
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Post by charles kuchar on Apr 6, 2011 19:50:18 GMT -5
i have learned to only fill water to a little more than half after the rocks are in. i try to fill to just the bottom of the top layer of stones. use half a teaspoon of soap and teaspoon of borax. too many rocks will slow down the action. put a little gravel or small stones to get a varied mix for the tumbling. gravel of 1/4 to 3/4 inch size is good. i usually empty the tumblers after a week but if i can leave them longer, there is still good grit in there. i use three level tablespoons of 50/90 grit for the coarse tumbling phase. charlie
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Post by rockrookie on Apr 6, 2011 20:02:23 GMT -5
i use an old tooth brush and a single strem water bottle . --paul
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Apr 7, 2011 13:31:16 GMT -5
I gotta laugh! 1.5 weeks! Get ready for the long haul! Most of my rocks run in course grind for at least 6 weeks! Some stuff I have had to run for as long as 16WEEKS!!!!!!!! In all seriousness most people check there rocks after 5 to 7 days. By then the grit should all be used up. I always start my course grind by putting in the rocks and grit. Then filling the water till it touches the bottom of the top layer of stones. By the time I check it again (HA I actually go 2 weeks between recharges!!) there is a nice thick (about the consistency of heavy cream)slurry that completly cover the rocks. I would indeed add some more grit next time you open it up (and I tease you- but we ALL went through this- it's part of the learning curve
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playin4funami
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since March 2011
Posts: 87
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Post by playin4funami on Apr 7, 2011 16:46:34 GMT -5
here's how I start out, rocks I want smoothed into the barrel while sitting on the digital scale, add water till I can see the water level peeking through the rocks, not covering them, I add my 1st stage grit, usually a little more than is called for, then I add a couple tablespoons of powdered wheat paste (wallpaper glue mix) and if I have any weigh room left over still I add gravel till the weight is near max load. seal it up. oil tumbler shaft bearings with a drop of oil each, set barrel in place with it running, watch it for a minute to make sure it's rolling good then walk away for 10 days and forget about it. come back, open it up, pour out some slurry, and add back a little water to thin it up a bit,add more grit, oil shaft bearings, drop it back on and forget it for another 10 days, after 20 days I start checking the rocks during recharge. don't worry, my first tumble I tried opening and checking the rocks every day for the first couple weeks, then every other day, till I realized I just needed to leave it alone.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Apr 11, 2011 5:43:02 GMT -5
Hi
I also had that problem with the Thumbler barrel
So I put a slight grove on the outside then rotated the lid till I found the spot where it didnt leak and put another nick on the lid to line up with the barrell nick
It worked ok after that with the tooth brush cleaning everytime the seals are a problem on that barrel
I bought another tumbler ( Lortone ) with a screw top a much better patent and hex' barrel helps to grind much better
Jack Yorkshire uk
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