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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 24, 2012 17:39:41 GMT -5
I'm going to order a new Lortone QT66 from the Rock Shed. I get a 20% discount on grit when I order a tumbler, so I'm going to pick up 25 lbs. of course grit too. Should I buy 60/90 or 46/70? I have always used 60/90 in my smaller tumbler, but I've read that 46/70 works well in larger tumblers. Is there any downside to 46/70?
Thanks, Rob
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Post by susand24224 on Nov 24, 2012 17:45:27 GMT -5
I've got some 46/70 around that I use when I get really irritated at months of tumbling the same thing. I really don't think it makes much difference, ( from 60/90) except that it makes me feel better. It doesn't have as much versatility as 60/90--I would never use it for softer rock or even some jaspers with soft spots, so if I had to choose one, it would be 60/90. Still, it does have its occasional purpose, so if you can throw in a pound, you will find times to use it. BTW, I've never had problems with it settling in the bottom of tumblers that others have had, and I've used it in the 3B.
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Post by geoff on Nov 24, 2012 18:17:02 GMT -5
I only use 46/70 in my 12 pounder. IMO it does clean up hammer broken material faster. Plus, it takes a bit longer to break down, so more bang for your buck.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,564
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Post by jamesp on Nov 24, 2012 20:19:29 GMT -5
I like 36,46,54 and 70.They seem to grind about the same.90-100 seems a little slower.And stepping up to 220 seems to easily remove the scratches of any of those grits.220 actually cuts a good bit of material too.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2012 0:25:13 GMT -5
Greetings [jugglerguy] Rob there is a downside to using coarser grit than F80 (60/90), that is extra wear on your barrels & gaskits, first your gaskits will develop holes within 12 - 18 months of use, these can be easily repaired or replaced, then your barrels will develop holes too within 2 - 4 years. -- I hail from (The Barony of Seabegs) Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, U.K, where aliens (15mb) sometimes come for a visit & about 4 miles west from this monstrosity! Sticky's: their contents are resource information 1#: Vendors worldwide (2mb), 2#: How to use the forum, 3#: How to identify rocks & minerals, 4#: Save money on expensive grits & polishes!
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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 25, 2012 10:46:05 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. I've got two votes for and two votes against 46/70. I hadn't thought about barrel wear. I have 20 lbs. of 60/90 in the basement, so I can use that for softer stones or as they get closer to completion. I'm still open to other opinions.
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Post by deb193redux on Nov 25, 2012 17:05:36 GMT -5
there is sometimes a problem with is settling. not always. depends on how quick mud forms.
it does wear barrels faster.
when I got it for free, I used it. I would not actually buy it.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 25, 2012 17:56:14 GMT -5
Ok, I'm stuck on this barrel wear thing. I'm ok with wearing out the barrel faster if the rocks also wear faster at the same increased rate. So here's the question:
Will I get the same number of rocks per barrel with 46/70 as with 60/90? In other words, will I get the same number of rocks before the barrel wears out with either grit?
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