custommike
starting to shine!
Member since November 2012
Posts: 42
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Post by custommike on Feb 19, 2013 12:16:19 GMT -5
After wondering why I clean out and replace with fresh water and new grit and have to build slurry all over again I decided I would try it a little different.
I took all the rocks out of the barrel and washed them, leaving the slurry mostly in tact. Some were ready and done with the 16 grit I had been using so I removed and replaced them. Then instead of washing the barrel I poured a little of the slurry out, added rocks and a fresh set of grit with a little water to keep it from getting too thick.
I was actually surprised by the results, especially given what some had said about doing this. I got better results in the 4-5 days following than I had been getting in 7-8. The only thing I can think is that the slurry is pretty vital and leaving a healthy amount gave the tumble a jump start.
Anyway I am far from an expert but that is my new procedure. I will still be cleaning thoroughly when switching grits so this really only applies to early stages with grinds that can go on for several weeks.
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 19, 2013 14:54:50 GMT -5
I've tried a lot of variations and all worked. I've left the coarse in and added 220 with only adding water if slurry too thick. I've added 220 and a week later 600 without washing. If the run time is long enough to break down the grit completely you don't really need to go crazy washing between grit steps. I would burnish before polish and afterwards. A friend tumbled only Montana agate and used only 60/90 and a polish. That worked also. He added a little new 60/90 each week without washing. He had giant bags of nicely finished Montana moss. I always recommend people follow an established method and then after success try some variations they hear from successful tumblers. Try the ones that sound reasonable until you have your own method. It isn't rocket science. Any variation will work eventually.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,564
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Post by jamesp on Feb 19, 2013 16:37:42 GMT -5
Sure seems like 60/90 slurry has the consistency and particle size of 600 after about 2 weeks.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,352
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Post by quartz on Feb 20, 2013 0:56:41 GMT -5
I run 16 in our larger tumbler for two weeks, add some more, run it for two weeks, then dump in 80 for another two weeks; all without other than opening the lid to add grit, maintaining a fairly low water level. Then I clean everything for the 220 run, and pad it well. Works for us. I think you are on the right track.
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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 Feb 20, 2013 10:44:27 GMT -5
I clean out my barrel in both my 3 pound & 12 pound tumblers, but for a change I began skimming off the water and pouring the grit remains into a plastic tub which I put out in the sun for a week or so to let it dry.
Once dried I put it into a plastic pretzel jar, without any pretzels in it, and use some of that powder whenever I start a new batch of rocks... makes an instant slurry without having to wait for the material to wear down enough to create its own slurry. Also the slurry is thick enough to help the grit move around the rocks easily and helps it stick to the rocks which is where the grinding really occurs!!... I always have about 2-3 pounds of crud dust handy for my next tumble and when it gets down to half I just start drying out more so I have a ready supply of the stuff!!
I have even used it without add grit to tumble stones and it works great there too!!
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Feb 20, 2013 22:15:31 GMT -5
James not everyone tumbles with a super sized atomic particle seperator like you do! ;D
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,564
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Post by jamesp on Feb 20, 2013 23:49:15 GMT -5
The ground rumbles,the tumblers generate a gravitational field.They are cooled w/liquid nitrogen.They were mounted on a cell tower foundation.Geiger counters check for radiation.The reactors are cheaper than the locomotive diesels.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2013 16:40:32 GMT -5
The roots of his lily pads are connect to batteries to store the energy for winter use.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,564
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Post by jamesp on Feb 21, 2013 18:26:21 GMT -5
Photovoltapads
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