sford13
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2009
Posts: 119
|
Post by sford13 on Jan 24, 2012 21:02:11 GMT -5
Ok I have seen some info on here about people doing an initial run with regular sand to see if rock is worthy of more time. After a little time off I am back tumbling once again. Now I also find myself with limited financial resources for obtaining material and grit. So I want to make sure I am not wasting time or grit on something that is not going to work out in the end.
Is there a good way to determine if something will work out. I don't want to give up on rock too soon. I understand that they call it rough for a reason. I am just looking for a way to maybe get off some of the dirt and crust that some rock have. That way I can beter determine if they are worth the time to keep going.
|
|
herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
|
Post by herchenx on Jan 24, 2012 21:10:04 GMT -5
Someone local suggested a day in the tumbler with just rock, no grit. May be worth a consideration.
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Jan 24, 2012 21:31:43 GMT -5
If you have a local industrial supply store near you, get a bag of Black Diamond sand blasting grit. It will clean your rocks, and tho it takes a bit longer, will even do your rough stage tumble.
|
|
Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
|
Post by Sabre52 on Jan 24, 2012 21:35:46 GMT -5
With a little practice, a careful inspection of your rough should give you a good idea if it's worthwhile. Excessively pitted or fractured rough, poorly colored materials ( wetting shows color), or materials too soft or of mixed composition are sometimes just not worth the grit and polish and time it takes. I am also very picky on what I take out of rough grind. Once the coarse cuts away the rock the first week or so, you can have a good idea about what needs to be carried further forward in the process. Since most rough spends three to six weeks in coarse grind with weekly recharges, coarse grind is the most expensive stage in terms of grit used and time spent. Better to sort out the junk and chuck it out rather than spend a bunch of grit trying to make a silk purse out of a pigs ear....Mel
|
|