electricface
starting to spend too much on rocks
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First fish of the day
Member since August 2012
Posts: 211
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Post by electricface on Sept 25, 2012 22:05:58 GMT -5
After a complete failure with my first batch I started over with amethyst crystals and citrine stones. This is what I got after the 60/90 for 11 days. It leaves me with half a barrel of stones. I would run some more but with my first attempt and this one as well, I have run out of grit for now. I have plastic media to run with them but not enough to run with each stage separately I think. We'll see. I want to go ahead with the run cause I have been at it for around 2 months and only have 1/2 barrel to show for it. lol I am sending the stones through a wash stage between each run. So I guess here is a couple pics. Just 1 question. Do you think my stones will be ok with 1/2 barrel stones and 1/4 barrel plastic? Or should I wait till I get some more grit and grind some more stones. I know either way will work just looking for opinions. ![](http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o636/anthonyhite1975/2nd60-901_zps2f1af20c.jpg) ![](http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o636/anthonyhite1975/2nd60-903_zpsb078c045.jpg)
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Post by Toad on Sept 25, 2012 22:37:26 GMT -5
I would wait until you have more stones. Why waste good grit grinding any more plastic than necessary?
Also, I think those stones can use another run or two in 60/90. Looks like real nice material.
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riverrock
fully equipped rock polisher
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Post by riverrock on Sept 27, 2012 17:45:41 GMT -5
i agree no need to rush.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Sept 27, 2012 19:57:46 GMT -5
With tumbling, you should continue to add stones as the volume lessens or as you remove the stones that are ready to move forward into the next stage. Once you have enough stones for the next stage that will make a full load, time to start the next stage! It should be a continuous cycle. A few members here (like snuffy) run tumblers 24/7 all year long!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 27, 2012 20:11:57 GMT -5
I agree with everything randy said. Each week we inspect our 60/90 barrel and remove any rocks that are good enough for the next stage and set those aside. We then add more rough to bring the barrel back to 75 percent full and repeat this each week till we have pulled out enough to run a full barrel in the next stage.
Keep going, your getting there! Chuck
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electricface
starting to spend too much on rocks
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First fish of the day
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Post by electricface on Sept 27, 2012 22:41:22 GMT -5
All right. I listened to the much appreciated advice and instead of "rushing" the 60/90 I got some more supplies. I went ahead and sent everything back in(still kinda lumpy), topped it off and started it up again. I'll check it in about a week to see what is ready and what isn't and of course repeat the process till I have enough for the next stage. Sigh.......I thought I had learned patients but this is teaching me what I didn't know about patients. lol Thanks for the push. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Post by Toad on Sept 27, 2012 22:44:43 GMT -5
Sometimes it is hard to wait, Tony. I'm constantly disappointed when I open the barrel with the pet wood in it. But I know if I stay the course on the rough grind, everything else will be cake.
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Sept 27, 2012 22:51:46 GMT -5
I have been playing with the same batch of mixed for over a month now and have just moved it to pre-polish with 1000 grit AO.... another week and I will check it again, top it off, add more grit, run it another week and check it again at which point it should be good for polish.... I hope, but I have a saw ...... I HAVE A SAW !!!!!!!! I love being able to say that now!!!! anyways ... I HAVE A SAW !!! .. hehe.... so I have something to keep me occupied while the tumbler is running... that and the 'Honey Doos"
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cardiobill
freely admits to licking rocks
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Member since March 2012
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Post by cardiobill on Sept 27, 2012 23:07:26 GMT -5
Tony Agree with the others. This rough looks way better than what you started with last time. These should come out great. Looking really good already. Bill
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Post by Jugglerguy on Sept 28, 2012 19:16:26 GMT -5
I did a batch just like those. I got the rocks from the Rock Shed. They took a really long time in the rough grind. The citrine was all sort of crushed on one end. When I ran low on stones, I added my own beach collected quartz and the batch turned out really good in the end. Here's a picture of just the Rock Shed rocks: ![](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8167/7578847534_f0912b6b2d_b.jpg)
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