mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Oct 3, 2012 9:51:49 GMT -5
Hi All, Just wanted to share my find! I recently had a tumbler (Lortone 3A) motor crap out, so I posted on Craigslist in the wanted category for a tumbler. I had one reply back and boy did I luck out. He had a Lortone QT12, 33B, several canisters of grit, extra barrel, and lots of rocks that he no longer wanted (he got a new hobby). He was glad to see them go to a new home and to someone who would put them to good use! So, who knows how much git I need to run this big ol tumbler?!? I've only ever run 3lb barrels before. Thanks, Michael
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Post by rockpickerforever on Oct 3, 2012 9:55:04 GMT -5
Wow, nice find! Ask and you shall receive! Jean
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 3, 2012 11:26:03 GMT -5
Here is my 12# Lortone recipe:
Stage 1 - 60/90 SiC
Fill Barrel 3/4 full of rough 1.5 Cups Sic 2 Cups Water Run 10 days
repeat, adding new coarse to keep the barrel 3/4 full, don't move on until you have 3/4 barrel full of smooth, pit and crack-free rocks.
THIS RECIPE works on jaspers and agates that are pretty hard and solid, and depends on having a lot of 2" and smaller diameter stones. If you use only very large or very small stones you will have to adjust the recipe (and it may not tumble well as a variety of sizes is best.
I use a vibratory for the subsequent stages, so others may have to chime in on the other stages in the rotary.
Also, people will push back on my recipe as there is a more technical way of determining how much grit based on mass etc. This is a quick and dirty recipe that I use for almost all my 12# loads and I have good results.
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Oct 3, 2012 17:06:39 GMT -5
Thanks John! I finish with a vibe too so I was just looking for the rough grind measurements.
Time to get tumbling!
Thanks, Michael
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 4, 2012 17:41:09 GMT -5
Hey Michael, if you can, take pics of stuff. If you run into trouble it is often helpful to see what is going on.
I should add that you should check the thickness of your slurry after a couple days. I just grab the barrel and shake it. If it feels really loose, but not total liquid I put it back on. If it feels thick I open it and add a little water. The material you use really has a huge impact on whether you need to deviate from the starting recipe or not.
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Oct 4, 2012 17:59:20 GMT -5
Here is my 12# Lortone recipe: Stage 1 - 60/90 SiC Fill Barrel 3/4 full of rough 1.5 Cups Sic 2 Cups Water Run 10 days repeat, adding new coarse to keep the barrel 3/4 full, don't move on until you have 3/4 barrel full of smooth, pit and crack-free rocks. . I generally agree with this recipe myself although my only caveat is that I go a little lighter on the grit, 1 cup instead of 1.5 so I can easily add more if needed, but can't take it away if it's too much... although I also recycle my grit in a large plastic jar and once the water evaporates I can use the dry powder as a base for tumbling more stones which also means I can use less grit per barrel charge. I do this for course and medium grits only, as the course grit breaks down as it tumbles and you get a med or finer grit from it. This is not a fool proof methid either... just something I tried and have been doing. got a vibe on the way so I'll be rotary tumbling coarse (2x6lb barrels) in 1 tumbler and med (2x3lb barrels) in the other, vibe for everything else....I hope. Good Luck & keep us informed on progress and finished product!!
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
A COUPLE LAKERS
Member since August 2011
Posts: 891
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on Oct 4, 2012 19:01:05 GMT -5
Just wanted to share my find! I recently had a tumbler (Lortone 3A) motor crap out, so I posted on Craigslist in the wanted category for a tumbler. I had one reply back and boy did I luck out... That's not fair.
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Oct 6, 2012 10:44:52 GMT -5
Thank you for the grit measurements. I'll start with a cup of 60/90 and if needed, add more. I still need to get 12 lbs of rough together for my first batch. I'll be sure to let you all know if any problems arise but, I think it'll be fine.
Thank you, Michael
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