hughy257
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2012
Posts: 4
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Post by hughy257 on Nov 5, 2012 20:15:24 GMT -5
I use a mt-14 vibra-sonic tumbler to tumble one large stone and keep each hopper as a dedicated grit size. That way I only need to worry about cleaning the stone and not the media. I get at least 2 sessions per grit charge. I am wondering can I take the ceramic media grit mix and freeze it in tupperware and then re temper at a later date.
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Post by connrock on Nov 6, 2012 8:14:54 GMT -5
I don't see why not but an over sized Zip Lock bag might be better as it will leave room for the water/ice to expand. I have to ask why you want to freeze it/them? connrock
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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 Nov 6, 2012 8:47:08 GMT -5
I really like the idea of dedicated grit barrels and currently keeping an eye out for qt66 barrels on eBay and Craigs list, I have 2 and 2 more would be excellent. I figure 2 per grit for course and medium, pre-polish & polish I'm going to do in a vibe. You shouldn't have to freeze it.. if you are worried about the water evaporating, don't... you just add water when you are ready to use it again and off you go. I am currently taking all my used grit out and placing it n tubs in the carport. once it evaporates I use the powder as a slurry mix for my next tumble in medium or course as most f the grit has already broken down into smaller sizes at this point. This way it is easier to store too... I use an old plastic pretzel jar to hold the powder and I add 2-4 tbls per barrel in addition to the grit.. I have slurry almost instantly and it does a better job of carrying the grit around. just my
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 6, 2012 9:11:31 GMT -5
Since the grit is pretty much broken down after 2 days, what is the point of saving it? Why not just give the ceramics a quick rinse and store?
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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 Nov 6, 2012 11:14:09 GMT -5
Since the grit is pretty much broken down after 2 days, what is the point of saving it? Why not just give the ceramics a quick rinse and store? I use it to form a slurry faster which, to me, helps grits move better between the rocks, I definitely see a difference after 7 days of agate tumbling in course & medium grits...They smooth out much fatser for me in the QT66 if I use the powdered grit. Hughy says he can get 2 uses per charge, so I guess he is looking to save the grit if he doesn't have a 2nd session planned right away.
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 6, 2012 13:24:21 GMT -5
Yes, but he is vibe tumbling. No coarse grit involved. No shape altering either.
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Post by geoff on Nov 6, 2012 13:59:38 GMT -5
If I'm having a problem with slurry production, I put a teaspoon of Borax.
The only time I reuse grit is if one of my rotaries (All rotaries are 46-70 or 60-90) Has a gas problem and won't stop foaming. I dump the barrel into a set of sieves that run from 4 mesh down to 100 mesh. I then reuse that saved grit. I don't bother trying to save grit from a successful tumble though, be it vibe or rotary. If you're having a lot left over after each stage perhaps you're using too much? Or not leaving it run long enough.
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hughy257
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2012
Posts: 4
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Post by hughy257 on Nov 6, 2012 14:04:14 GMT -5
With the mini-sonic I do sometimes use coarse to ease the edges. I think a lot of vibes tell you not too because of the barrel wear. These barrels are a 3/8" to 1/2" thick. The coarse grit is one I would like to freeze to economize for one and to just keep dedicated media. Because I only do one large stone at a time it seems a bit silly to constantly keep cleaning the media. When I can just clean the stone and then put it in the next barrel. The mud from the stone does need to be rinsed off the media eventually. As far as letting it dry on that was the point of the question. I wanted to treat it like a latex paint brush and freeze to paint/clean later. I have also found/been told that a mini sonic takes longer to break down the grit sizes than other vibes. Also it will soon be 30 effing below here and I know that I will eventually have an accidental freeze before or during transportation to my indoor shop. Ty for your input when it happens I will let you know
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Post by geoff on Nov 6, 2012 14:08:12 GMT -5
I feel you on the cold. I work in Deadhorse, AK 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off. Sunday night we lost power for 4 hours, windchill was -40. Within two hours most pipes were frozen, by the time we got power back two bathrooms had ruptured pipes and it was 20 in my room. Not much sleep that night!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2012 19:28:36 GMT -5
curious why frozen matters?
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 6, 2012 19:46:07 GMT -5
I'm guessing he is trying to avoid having the grit turn to concrete.
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