custommike
starting to shine!
Member since November 2012
Posts: 42
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Post by custommike on Jan 28, 2013 13:47:20 GMT -5
When you are doing a long tumble with hard rock, like carnelian or fire agate, do you ever just add more grit to the existing slurry or do you always wash out and start new?
I got some fire agate recently, but they are mostly big pieces (too big for my 3 lb. rotary) What is the best way to break them into smaller pieces? Should I find a local shop to cut them for me or just bash them with a hammer? ;D
Thanks!
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on Jan 28, 2013 16:05:55 GMT -5
Go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy a cheap tile saw...should set you back less than $100 and be way more convenient than getting them cut down somewhere and safer that hammering them to death.
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Post by Toad on Jan 28, 2013 16:25:32 GMT -5
I always wash and start new with grit. If you just keep adding grit the slurry will get too thick.
Some folks like to save a portion of the used grit to 'jump-start' a new tumble because it might help slurry formation - and so grinding action will start sooner. But if we're talking rough grind, I want to get as much 60/90 in there as possible rather than recycling material that is already past the rough grind phase. Rinse your rocks every week and recharge with fresh grit and the rocks will be done as fast as they can be.
Hammering is easy and cheap (and safe with the right precautions). But as Lee noted above, a cheap tile saw is likely a better option if you have somewhere to set it up - plus you don't ruin as much material.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,564
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Post by jamesp on Jan 28, 2013 17:47:55 GMT -5
Yep.When that grit is reduced to fine mud it's best to wash and attack with clean water,washed rocks and fresh grit.
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custommike
starting to shine!
Member since November 2012
Posts: 42
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Post by custommike on Jan 28, 2013 18:25:05 GMT -5
Thanks, for the input. I will look into the tile saw. I washed the current batch on Sunday by pulling out the rocks and rinsing them. This left the slurry. I added a bit of water and a fresh set of grit. So I guess the worst that can happen is that I don't get as much action. I was thinking that because I was using 16 grit and slurry takes some time to build up it may be faster with some established slurry for the grit to work with...
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,547
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Post by tkvancil on Jan 28, 2013 18:40:08 GMT -5
I'll chime in and say I agree with the above comments.
I wash out and add fresh grit weekly.
Due to comments here on the board I got a tile saw to cut larger rough that won't fit in my 3# tumblers. Inexpensive and does a good job. Won't cut your fingers and gives you the ability to make some nice shapes as well.
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custommike
starting to shine!
Member since November 2012
Posts: 42
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Post by custommike on Feb 2, 2013 18:41:18 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice. I actually asked just after I had added more 16 grit to my current tumble so I figured I would just see what happens, and I was pretty surprised. I think that because I was using such a coarse grit (16) that it was taking a long time for slurry to develop, at any rate I checked after 5 days and saw very good progress! Even better in fact than a full week with fresh water. I don't know if it will make as much of a difference with finer grits but it was awesome with the 16 I am using.
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