herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Mar 19, 2012 19:31:18 GMT -5
I picked up a "broken" 3A last weekend for $25 and tightened the belt. I charged it with ~2.5# of rutilated quartz from therockshed.com. I used 1/3C water and 1/3C 60/90 SiC grit. I'll check it in a few days to see how the slurry is coming. UPDATE: OK 2 days in and there is definite volume reduction and the slurry is forming. I went ahead and topped it off with a few more rutilated quartz:
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karock
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2007
Posts: 667
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Post by karock on Mar 20, 2012 1:19:25 GMT -5
That stuff really looks nice wwhe rounded and polished. It will be interesting to see how long it takes. Karock
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Mar 21, 2012 12:54:05 GMT -5
bump
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Post by MyNewHobby on Mar 22, 2012 16:16:23 GMT -5
Hi there!!
I see no cushioning at all. I use plastic in all my rotary batches.
Cushioning prevents pieces from slamming into one another, causing chips, cracks and fractures.
Hope this helps!
That does look like it could be very pretty when done!
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Post by MyNewHobby on Mar 22, 2012 16:25:48 GMT -5
Just out of curiosity ...
Are you using 1/3 cup of grit for a 3 lb barrel? My normal is 1-3 tablesoons for each batch (for each recharge thereafter).
With the harder stones, like river rock, I let run untouched for 5-7 days, then I rinse and recharge with grit. Others do it more frequently.
Then you rinse out, check the stones, and recharge with the same amount of grit. This will also save you money in grit.
I usually, after rock, pellets, and grit, I add water to about 1/4"-1/2" below the level where you seat your lib.
I am really going to love seeing this batch. I have not had good luck with the quartz. You may find you have a golden touch for it.
I just may have to do another batch myself just to see how I do.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Mar 22, 2012 16:52:55 GMT -5
I hate plastic so I never use it.
I am finding with the smaller barrels the "slamming" is less than when in my 6# and 12#, plus most of the stuff in the smaller barrels are smaller and less likely to cause damage (so far!)
I let these run like 10 days.
I am finding that much less water creates a much better slurry for me.
I will post more pics as this continues.
John
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blessed
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by blessed on Mar 22, 2012 18:31:47 GMT -5
John, I don't care for those plastic pellets either. I use those X tile spacers. They work for me. James
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Post by MyNewHobby on Mar 22, 2012 18:42:47 GMT -5
I do like hearing about all of the types of fillers others use. I try to use them several times to see if I like them better that what I have used. I got some of the spacers and keep forgetting to try them out.
I like plastic for my rotary (especially for obsidians and tears) and now am not using plastic in vibe.
I use ceramic pellets (similar to spacers) and glass pieces (different shapes and sizes) from Dollar Tree in my vibe.
Above all else ... I always try to have fun!
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Mar 22, 2012 18:51:49 GMT -5
I use ceramic in the vibe, but as grit carrier. In the rotary I haven't done obsidian, just hard stuff; quartz, agate, jasper. When I have done obsidian in the vibe - several cabs - it does fine up until the polish and just isn't as nice a shine. I am planning on saving a bunch of obsidian cabs for a dedicated obsidian batch in the vibe. At the rate I am going that will take a couple years
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Mar 22, 2012 19:33:20 GMT -5
I save the polished tumbles that failed to meet expectations and use them as filler and they follow the batch all the way through to the polish cycle. I continue to add them, in various sizes, as the material wears to keep the barrel 3/4 full.
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Post by susand24224 on Mar 22, 2012 19:51:04 GMT -5
I never use pellets, only ceramics. But--with quartz and other stones that like to fracture, I also add a bit of Ivory Soap shavings to help cushion. I've not had trouble with obsidian polishing in the vibe, but have found that a burnish stage for obsidian in both the vibe and rotary is essential.
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Post by MyNewHobby on Mar 22, 2012 20:54:32 GMT -5
I have never burnished in the rotary as I have not had the issue of deeply ingrained grit that the vibe does to rocks.
From the rotary, I just make sure to rinse until the water is completely clear, then onto the next stage.
That is one thing I have big problems with with the vibe. Since it is so aggressive and the grit bores itself into the rock, I have been know to burnish more than once between vibe stages. This way after first rinse, I can also see if there are rocks that need to stay in 120/220 another round for smoothing and clearing some pockets before going into pre polish.
Enjoy!
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