bcrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 418
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Post by bcrockhound on Jul 14, 2014 16:01:42 GMT -5
Hey all, Below are some pictures of the rocks I took out of my Lortone 66 yesterday. I had Dallasite, Flowerstone and then what looked like petrified wood in there. Bubbly water, rock chips seemed to move up to the rim, should I be worried about that? Too much water? My favourite piece of Dallasite, thought this was real great when I saw it. Wood? This piece needs more tumbling but shows how the black balls come out. Flowerstone. I posted these and others on my blog bcrockhound.com/2014/07/14/opening-a-rock-tumbler-is-like-christmas/I think what I've learned is I like smaller rocks. Thought I'd be a big-tumble fan, but when I sort through all my rocks and separate those that are good to go for the next stage and those that need more coarse grind, I find I've always been putting the bigger ones back for more coarse. I need to close the gap in rock size in my tumblers too, I think - some of my loads have had a big stone easily 5x the size of the smallest stones. It's interesting to see how different rocks affect the slurry. Dallasite seems to make it bubble. I think that's because of the oil residue from the beach? Another load I did of all petrified wood-looking pieces left brown/red colouring in the slurry.
Thanks for looking. Advice, anything very appreciated.
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roundrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Holding on to the Stone of Destiny
Member since June 2014
Posts: 91
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Post by roundrock on Jul 14, 2014 16:17:14 GMT -5
BC, I'm a newbie myself so no expert but using the instructions I've found here, it looks like a little much on the water. Some neat rocks!
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,547
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Post by tkvancil on Jul 14, 2014 19:25:16 GMT -5
First off the dallasite and flowerstone are pretty darn cool. Never seen those before. Should look great when they're finished.
The chips around the rim ... I see that a lot, think it's commonplace and normal. Small rocks always seem to finish up faster than larger ones for me. Again I think that's normal. Some of the stuff I tumble will make foam or bubbles too. Seems to get less and less with each recharge as a general rule. At least for the rocks I've done. That a 6# barrel? If so about 1 cup of water should be good.
Looking good ... keep on rollin'.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jul 14, 2014 20:07:47 GMT -5
The small chips in the rim are common in my 6 and 12 pound barrels but not as often in the 3 pounders. Those are some very cool rocks and I sure hope they do well in the next stages.
Chuck
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Post by Starguy on Jul 14, 2014 21:05:31 GMT -5
I don't have a six pound drum, but I never put more than 16 ounces of water in my 12 pound drum. I always remember to put one pound of water and one pound of coarse grit in the 12 pounder. I would think eight ounces of water and a half pound of grit would work well in your barrels. I always shoot for 2/3 full.
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bcrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 418
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Post by bcrockhound on Jul 25, 2014 2:49:21 GMT -5
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Post by snowmom on Jul 25, 2014 4:53:34 GMT -5
those are wonderful! tumbling really brings out the pattern! watching this thread with interest, keep posting!
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