jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 20, 2015 17:30:02 GMT -5
Obsidian on one side, filler on the other. Raises a question, how to do obsidian with out filler. This type vibe was designed for thickeners only. So plan is to double up on the Borax. Agate is no problem as long as a decent balance of sizes are used. An enigma. a video:
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 20, 2015 17:41:15 GMT -5
What grit stage are we looking at here?
Chuck
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 20, 2015 17:57:59 GMT -5
What grit stage are we looking at here? Chuck It is SiC 80. Run 12 hours. Then water added and another shot of 80 grit for 12 more hours. Then cleaned out and recharged at the end of the 24 hours for another two 12 hour runs of 80 grit. Any ideas ? I am at a loss here.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 20, 2015 18:15:23 GMT -5
with that long narrow tub does how level the machine sits effect the balance of the load?
Chuck
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 20, 2015 18:22:05 GMT -5
with that long narrow tub does how level the machine sits effect the balance of the load? Chuck Great question. The vibration dominates. I have tried tilting it. It only makes the batch slope, but the stones still segregate.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 20, 2015 18:27:24 GMT -5
unbalanced vibration then. more vibration at one end of the barrel. That's my last guess, lol take springs and reverse where they are installed and see if the separation reverses too.
Chuck
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Post by orrum on Mar 20, 2015 18:36:36 GMT -5
Good idea Chuck!
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 20, 2015 18:40:38 GMT -5
I have adjusted the counterbalances on each side to offset the difference. I get it real close. But there is no guarantee. And if it decides to segregate at 4AM there is a problem. So basically it is unstable and has to depend on a good mix of sizes and thickeners. Does great with a mix of agates. It never segregates with a broad mix of sizes. Only when a lot of similar sized smalls(fillers) are used. The instructions were clear about thickeners, but no mention of hard fillers.
So it looks like a thickener recipe is in my future if obsidian is going to shine. Thanks for the ideas.
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Post by MrP on Mar 20, 2015 19:04:42 GMT -5
jamesp When I run very large slabs in mine I find that over time the slabs will bunch up on one side also. I have just learned to live with it and separate them a couple times a day. It would be nice if they would not do that but to be able to polish 4-5" X 6-7-8" slabs I will put up with it. If a person wants instant success, tumbling is the wrong hobby...............................MrP
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 20, 2015 19:23:54 GMT -5
jamesp When I run very large slabs in mine I find that over time the slabs will bunch up on one side also. I have just learned to live with it and separate them a couple times a day. It would be nice if they would not do that but to be able to polish 4-5" X 6-7-8" slabs I will put up with it. If a person wants instant success, tumbling is the wrong hobby...............................MrP 39don has the same issues with the Vibrasonic. A few adjustments still a time saver compared to a lap I suppose. So many recipes involve filler that can not be done in this vibe.
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 20, 2015 21:38:32 GMT -5
Remember the Baldwin sisters on the Waltons and their secret recipe? Reminds me of James and his secret recipe!!!! LOL
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 21, 2015 3:43:42 GMT -5
Remember the Baldwin sisters on the Waltons and their secret recipe? Reminds me of James and his secret recipe!!!! LOL I'll try their's Michael, did you happen to write it down ?
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 21, 2015 5:16:50 GMT -5
orrum-I have been tumbling the obsidian knappings. The whole LFRB. I will now be able to use them as a range of smalls to mix with my larger obsidian tumbles to balance the load. Gracias Amigo. I needed those.
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Post by orrum on Mar 21, 2015 8:32:23 GMT -5
That's great James! I was hoping you would get some cab shapes. I have a box with me and am looking forward to tumbling it. Oh well if it is smalls at least I don't need ceramic pellets. I am in New Iberia La. Fixing to go to the Live Oak Festival!!! Gonna try those crawfish or mud bugs as the locals call them. We had shrimp and Goo fish on the grill last nite. No idea what a Goo fish is! LOL I ate good pardner!!!
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 21, 2015 9:16:33 GMT -5
That's great James! I was hoping you would get some cab shapes. I have a box with me and am looking forward to tumbling it. Oh well if it is smalls at least I don't need ceramic pellets. I am in New Iberia La. Fixing to go to the Live Oak Festival!!! Gonna try those crawfish or mud bugs as the locals call them. We had shrimp and Goo fish on the grill last nite. No idea what a Goo fish is! LOL I ate good pardner!!! Dem cajuns eat anything. Just eat, don't ask. Goo probably fish scnitt, who knows. Add enough spice and you'll never know. If you go to N Orleans watch your back side for several reasons LOL. Fun territory. Enjoy and travel safe Bill. ya ole coon ass
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 21, 2015 9:27:57 GMT -5
I was amazed. No bruises and the rocks were running on one side w/out filler. Double dose of Borax protected well(that was the only solution I could think of). BUT, it gets too thick quick, like 8-10 hours water may be needed. Even with double dose of borax the SiC 80 broke down to very smooth in 12 hours. Using glass filler and it still broke the grit down rapidly, check it out: 1 hour: 12 hours:
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39don
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Post by 39don on Mar 23, 2015 8:01:51 GMT -5
jamesp When I run very large slabs in mine I find that over time the slabs will bunch up on one side also. I have just learned to live with it and separate them a couple times a day. It would be nice if they would not do that but to be able to polish 4-5" X 6-7-8" slabs I will put up with it. If a person wants instant success, tumbling is the wrong hobby...............................MrP My larger slabs do the same and I live with it because nothing or any other method compares getting a quicker polish. I tumble agate and jasper only, no fillers but sugar. 39don
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 23, 2015 8:24:29 GMT -5
jamesp When I run very large slabs in mine I find that over time the slabs will bunch up on one side also. I have just learned to live with it and separate them a couple times a day. It would be nice if they would not do that but to be able to polish 4-5" X 6-7-8" slabs I will put up with it. If a person wants instant success, tumbling is the wrong hobby...............................MrP My larger slabs do the same and I live with it because nothing or any other method compares getting a quicker polish. I tumble agate and jasper only, no fillers but sugar. 39don MrP-Don't you have a home made steel hopper. I wonder if you could weld a divider out of drilled steel plate to split the hopper into two sections ? Or perhaps two dividers for 3 separate sections. Maybe just tack weld it for a test, where it could be removed if it did not work. 39don-I am having to run obsidian in 500-1000-14000. If I let the slurry get thick it starts to separate big pieces from small pieces. Which bruises the big pieces a bit. So I can not let the grit break down much. So obsidian is a hassle. No problem with agate and jasper using sugar or borax.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 23, 2015 8:31:35 GMT -5
39don-Did you have tub type vibratory tumblers at the factory ? If so, did you run mixed size pieces that separated ? I am thinking of making a steel hopper like MrP has and putting dividers in the hopper so I can eliminate some of the separation. It may still be a problem within the smaller sections. It should allow tumbling one big rock in each section using filler.
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Post by MrP on Mar 24, 2015 4:53:38 GMT -5
My larger slabs do the same and I live with it because nothing or any other method compares getting a quicker polish. I tumble agate and jasper only, no fillers but sugar. 39don MrP-Don't you have a home made steel hopper. I wonder if you could weld a divider out of drilled steel plate to split the hopper into two sections ? Or perhaps two dividers for 3 separate sections. Maybe just tack weld it for a test, where it could be removed if it did not work. 39don-I am having to run obsidian in 500-1000-14000. If I let the slurry get thick it starts to separate big pieces from small pieces. Which bruises the big pieces a bit. So I can not let the grit break down much. So obsidian is a hassle. No problem with agate and jasper using sugar or borax.
jamesp Even separated I think each slab would to the divider. Am going to try to balance the vibe when I start using it again...........................MrP
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