gadgetguy
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2012
Posts: 12
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Post by gadgetguy on Oct 17, 2012 12:40:34 GMT -5
Hello all,
a quick poll: how long are you running stage 1?
I am doing my very first tumble.
In the first week nothing too much happened - as the stones were all similar in size, so they did not tumble too much.
Lesson learnt: use different sizes.
Second week: different size load, nice tumbling action (I can hear now the stones tumbling - different sound from before; will remember this sound for the future).
After taking the stones out at the end of the second week, they are very far from taking nice round shapes. They are shaping and I can see some of the colors etc., but they need to go back to round more.
So my question is: if you start with irregular shaped (mixed) rocks - how long do you keep them in stage one?
I would appreciate your comments...
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Post by geoff on Oct 17, 2012 12:49:19 GMT -5
Till its done. There is no magic formula. Just keep recharging until you are happy. Mine go from 2 weeks for river rock yo 2 months+ for hammer broken rocks. And remember. They don't all have to be done at the same time. When you go through it pick out ones that are ready and put the rest back in with some fresh rocks until you have enough ready for stage 2.
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Oct 17, 2012 13:25:37 GMT -5
Minimum: 2 weeks My Maximum so far: 6 months
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Oct 17, 2012 14:48:42 GMT -5
Averaging about 3 months or more for jaspers and agates, 2-4 weeks for labradorite and amazonite (soft).
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Oct 17, 2012 17:15:34 GMT -5
How long also depends on the size of the tumbler.Larger ones take a lot less time than the smaller ones.
snuffy
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jukerocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 154
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Post by jukerocks on Oct 17, 2012 18:11:12 GMT -5
Yep, you will spend a lot more money on coarse grit than any other kind. It takes about 4 weeks for most of mine. It all depends on how smooth you want them and how long it takes for the imperfections to be tumbled away. It is a trade off though - your rocks will get smaller and smaller.
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gadgetguy
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2012
Posts: 12
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Post by gadgetguy on Oct 17, 2012 18:31:05 GMT -5
Thank you all. Very helpful. Do you wash and put new grit in every week? Or do you run it longer?
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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 17, 2012 19:20:32 GMT -5
Thank you all. Very helpful. Do you wash and put new grit in every week? Or do you run it longer? If I am just checking them, pulling out ready stones and adding more I usually just add more grit...if running a full week between checks 2 oz grit in my 6 pounders added to whats in there already and let it go... after the 3 week I will add borax/soap instead of grit, and let it tumble for an additional hour then clean it all an recharge with a fresh load of grit and water and rock, Then let it go another week and start over again...
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 17, 2012 20:45:06 GMT -5
I only add new grit every 10 days, when I wash everything and recharge.
My shortest stage 1 is probably 20 days. My longest is going on 11 months, those pieces should probably have gone into the rock garden to be honest, but I'm never unhappy for leaving them in a long time.
There is no "typical" though, just depends on the material and how things go.
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electricface
starting to spend too much on rocks
First fish of the day
Member since August 2012
Posts: 211
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Post by electricface on Oct 17, 2012 22:13:42 GMT -5
I am new as well. I been at it for almost 2 months and have run into issues so I only have about half a barrel ready for the next round. I run my barrels for 8-10 days now then clean and do it again picking out the ones ready for the next stage. It can be a long process. I'd say the same advice that was given to me, Pick a recipe, see what you get, if the results don't turn out well post some pics and explain your situation. Lots of good advice to be had here. Tweak it a bit if necessary and go again. The most important thing I would have to say is to take lots of notes. Lots of em. Good luck and don't be like me and forget to take pics. lol
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Post by Toad on Oct 17, 2012 22:22:23 GMT -5
Mine go anywhere from a week or two - recharging every week for soft stones. But hard stones can go for longer than two months...
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,175
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Post by jamesp on Oct 18, 2012 21:44:40 GMT -5
After a lot testing and home made tumblers i found the fastest coarse grinding arrangement.It requires a fast tumbling speed.And this speed is not good for finishing So i coarse grind at 80 RPM in a 6 inch barrel.And do step 3 and polish in a different tumbler that runs at 25 rpm in a 6 inch barrel.It still takes 2 weeks for agate.And takes 3 times longer in the slower 25 RPM barrel in coarse grind as compared to the 80 RPM speed.A single speed tumbler is a necessary compromise for the tumbler manufacturers .The 80 RPM is noisy and violent.And the grit is shot in 4 days.The 80 RPM tumbler holds two 15 pound barrels and the 25 RPMer holds one 15 pound barrel and it easily handles the finish job for two coarse barrels.The barrels are 6 inch schedule 40 PVC pipe and are noisy but very easy to access.They have been running non stop for almost 2 years.The limiting speed factor of 80 RPM was Rose Quartz-it would get surface fractures at a higher speed.It is a tricky one to tumble.If i run 8 inch barrels at 80 RPM i get surface fractures on even some agates.And oddly,the 8 inch barrel would only last 2 months wearing the ends out.Have used 8,16,36,45,54,60,90 and 100 silicon carbide grits and found 36,45,54 and 60 seem to be the most efficient.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,175
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Post by jamesp on Oct 18, 2012 21:55:49 GMT -5
I hope this photo of my two tumblers will post
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,175
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Post by jamesp on Oct 18, 2012 22:13:49 GMT -5
Worn out 8 inch thin wall(sch SDR35) tumbling barrels.Lasted 2 months.The heavier 6 inch sch 40 barrels want to last forever. Attachments:
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,175
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Post by jamesp on Oct 18, 2012 22:24:16 GMT -5
The hole in the tire was sealed by blowing up a 24 inch exercise ball where the wheel would go.This tumbler destroyed rocks as it was a constant avalanche:>I was attempting to tumble 3-6 inch rocks in the mix.A failure... Attachments:
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,175
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Post by jamesp on Oct 18, 2012 22:26:53 GMT -5
Monster tumbler-another view. Attachments:
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