Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Jul 1, 2014 22:55:19 GMT -5
Hello all. I'm seeking some advice from some of the experienced tumblers out there. This is my quandary:I have some hammer broken pieces of flint (Mohs 7?)that I have been tumbling in 60/90 for two weeks. Even after a fresh "charge", stones were still bumpy and not smooth around the angled edges with some minor chips. I basically did everything according to specs. (2/3 full, water just below the first layer of rocks etc.) Now the logical answer would be to continue tumbling in 60/90 until the stones are adequately smoothed. BUT the problems are two fold. 1)I live in an apartment complex and it makes too much noise. 2) The chipping will continue to chip. Is this a fairly logical solution? 1)Utilizing plastic pellets to buffer the noise and soften the "action" (with the understanding it will take twice as long or even longer for it to grind down)? Also, would using a 36 grit be helpful with the pellets for more of an effective cut and smoothing the chipped and "rough" areas? **I don't have a "grinder" or a lap. saw. Thanks! Henry
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Post by nowyo on Jul 1, 2014 23:29:24 GMT -5
That stuff takes a while to smooth down. As it smooths down the chipping should diminish as edges round off. I'd skip the pellets in coarse, but I don't have noise concerns. Not sure how the 36 grit would work with pellets, I'll leave that for someone else. Cutting back on your water will probably help speed things up. I'm running 46/70 for my initial coarse run and rarely use pellets at all.
Russ
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Post by Toad on Jul 2, 2014 2:11:49 GMT -5
I never use plastic pellets in any phase and 60/90 takes as long as it takes. Some rocks go faster than others. Flint usually goes pretty quick for me - some pieces just 3 or 4 cycles in 60/90 with a complete clean out and re-charge each week. Others take longer. depends on hardness of stones, quality of stones to start, good mix of sizes - using large and small stones, ceramic media and etc. Tumbling takes a lot more patience (and a lot less skill) than cabbing.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jul 2, 2014 8:32:39 GMT -5
I've tried plastic pellets in 60/90 a couple of times and found that the grit was almost like new when I opened it after a week. I don't use plastic pellets anymore. My rough grinds usually go for a a couple of months, so I'm not at all surprised by your progress.
I'd say your only problem here is the noise for your neighbors. I was just reading some old threads here about noise reduction and I read something about placing the tumbler on styrofoam or something similar. If I were you, I'd be looking for noise reduction techniques. Just be careful not to cover the motor and burn it out with too much heat. How big is your tumbler? My three pound Lortone is way quieter than my six pounder.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Jul 2, 2014 10:09:05 GMT -5
I agree with the others about the pellets. In my experience they slow the rough grind down to a crawl. Tried it three or four times and won't use them again. Results were always poor.
I would bump the volume up to 75 to 80% full. This should help reduce the impact causing chips and may even make the tumble a little quieter. Less space for the rocks to fall and crash into each other but still enough room to tumble.
I would also cut back on the water. I did so some time back and have gotten better, faster grinds. For a 3# barrel I use 1/2 cup and for a 6# barrel 1 cup of water.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jul 2, 2014 10:10:39 GMT -5
I use the same amount of water Ken does. Sometimes I use and ounce less than that.
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Jul 2, 2014 21:33:39 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! I have a plan...
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Post by nowyo on Jul 2, 2014 23:48:16 GMT -5
Oh great, he has a plan. Every time I say that I wind up in trouble again.
good luck.
russ
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Post by pghram on Jul 3, 2014 19:54:51 GMT -5
I would add to make sure you have an abundance of smalls.
Rich
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