donsimpson
starting to spend too much on rocks
Duncan and Mari's Dad
Member since September 2006
Posts: 176
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Post by donsimpson on Feb 21, 2007 14:15:27 GMT -5
Is there a problem if your tumbler is full of foam? My kids are tumbling some agates and jaspers (one is porcelain stone, pet wood and moss agate, the other carnelian, tree agate and tiger eye), each in their own 3lb lortone barrel. We filled them normally, 3/4 full, 4 tblspoons of 60/90, enough water to almost cover the rocks. After a day, I checked to make sure it looked like slurry was happening, and both barrels were full of foam. And I do mean full. The foam is gritty, and clearly everything is moving around while the barrel is rolling. Is this normal/ok, or has a rock demon cursed my workshop?
Thanx, D
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erbojones
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2006
Posts: 659
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Post by erbojones on Feb 21, 2007 14:23:09 GMT -5
Hi Don - I've had foamy barrels before but its never really been a problem. I did read somewhere on here that it might be to do with some organic material within the stones just reacting with the water and the motion of the barrel. I think someone put Bicarb in the barrel to reduce it but I can't remember who!!
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RockyBlue
fully equipped rock polisher
Go U.K.
Member since June 2006
Posts: 1,719
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Post by RockyBlue on Feb 21, 2007 14:34:02 GMT -5
I don`t know what causes the foaming unless it`s gas in the stones,I read somewhere
on this website that you can put a tum or rolaid in with it and that will eliminate the problem.
I have been running some Botswana Agate,after 7 wks. i moved them into 120/220 and i came up with the same problem they started to foam and they were in for 7 days and when i moved them
into 500 they weren`t foaming any more.I don`t think there`s anything to worry about........Rocky
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Post by akansan on Feb 21, 2007 14:42:18 GMT -5
I've added baking soda to a barrel for this reason. In the end, I had to add alot of baking soda for it to make a difference. The tumble ended just fine, and the foam helped suspend the grit (or so I like to tell myself). But yeah, I've been there early in my tumbling career. Scared me to death! In fact, it was one of the reasons I found this board!
Since then, I've added Borax to every stage and have avoided the foam problem, even when tumbling material from the same "load".
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turnedstone
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 766
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Post by turnedstone on Feb 21, 2007 14:45:09 GMT -5
Foam is OK just make sure pressure is not building within the barrel(IE. sides bulged or deformed barrel in some way). I run borax in each stage seems to have taken care of my foam issue.
George
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Post by snowdog on Feb 21, 2007 23:39:17 GMT -5
I have a question here --- could it be the grit ? the only times I've ever noticed it was when the grit had completely broken down ( like micron size)--- like after a week run in the vib -- but have used a different brand of grit with the same type of rock and never get any foam ------ thought maybe it was something that was added to make the grit ------ any thoughts on this ??
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Post by cpdad on Feb 22, 2007 0:05:08 GMT -5
just keep an eye on the bottom of the barrels...if they protrude out...add a little tums or borax...if this doesnt work you may need to burp the barrels...just like a little baby...just open the top for a little air to escape...and carry on.
as far as diff grit goes....i havent a clue...i have only used stuff from the rockshed....and had only 1 issue of gas buildup...and that was when the son added cornmeal to the barrell...at least i think that is what it was...kev.
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Feb 22, 2007 10:41:40 GMT -5
Could be grit contamination- could be a poor rinse of the barrel, could be organics in the rock- But it happens sometimes- as long as the barrel does not build up too much pressure- you should be ok (I too add a bit of Borax)
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donsimpson
starting to spend too much on rocks
Duncan and Mari's Dad
Member since September 2006
Posts: 176
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Post by donsimpson on Feb 22, 2007 11:03:03 GMT -5
Thanx everyone for the info. I don't think it's the grit because I some other rocks in a third barrel that isn't foaming. It's not causing the barrels to protrude, so I'll just leave well enough alone.  Thanx again, D |
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suerob
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2012
Posts: 8
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Post by suerob on Aug 25, 2012 18:44:54 GMT -5
I too have the problem with foaming. It normally isn't too bad. However, today I started the polish stage, and within a few hours something told me to check it! Good thing I did, it was bulging the bottom of the barrel and was full of thick foam. I took all the foam out, and started it again. A few hours later, I checked it again. This time the foam was thicker and again bulging the bottom of the barrel. It was about ready to explode. What on earth could be causing it? Help please!!
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Post by stoner on Aug 25, 2012 20:29:20 GMT -5
Suerob, go to Walgreens or CVS or something like those stores and get a box of Borax, it's by the Laundry soap. Add about a tablespoon to each load and it should take care of your problem.
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cardiobill
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 881
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Post by cardiobill on Aug 25, 2012 21:35:02 GMT -5
Stoner- do you do that routinely in your rotary tumbles? All stages?
Bill
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Post by johnjsgems on Aug 25, 2012 22:45:38 GMT -5
You most commonly hear of foam from new to tumbling users that just have to open the tumbler after a day. Let it run 3-4 days and you rarely see foam. The old books said to open the barrels after3-4 days to "burp" the barrel. I did this when tumbling and adjusted water or added grit at that time. If you measure grit ( I never did) and start with water right and barrel properly loaded you can run 7-10 days before checking. Hard to be patient.
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Post by stoner on Aug 26, 2012 0:31:17 GMT -5
Hey Bill.
My tumblers haven't run in years, but when they did, Borax went into each tumble stage. Not knowing how to explain it, I'll just say it makes the water wetter, if that makes sense.
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cardiobill
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 881
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Post by cardiobill on Aug 26, 2012 6:52:30 GMT -5
Love the eplanatipn stoner I'll give it a shot. Bill |
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jjacques
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2012
Posts: 1
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Post by jjacques on Nov 11, 2012 12:44:04 GMT -5
I have had a problem with the foaming and was not sure what to do. It dawned on me that there is an anti foaming liquid used for "Rug Doctor" chemicals, so I used it and the next day all foam was gone and the grit was mixed with the stones doing it's job. Problem solved.
PS
I am glad I searched this because I was at a loss for some time before I tried this.
Jim
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