boyrock
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2014
Posts: 6
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Post by boyrock on Jul 27, 2015 18:18:33 GMT -5
I,m tumbling some Apache Tears and am having a problem. Using 60# in the 1st stage I end up with all the grit stuck on the bottom, its hardly even wet. I usually put in rocks, then plastic beads, fill with h2o, and then add the grit. I'm following the recipe that came with the tumbler, which is a Lortone 33. Sure is odd to see everything stuck on the bottom when its been tumbling on its side.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jul 27, 2015 18:56:09 GMT -5
My first guess would be the plastic pellets. I would never use those in my 60 grit for any rocks. My first choice would be small ceramic media filler or even dollar store glass marbles when tumbling tears. Filler is only needed if you do not have enough tears to fill to 2/3 full. My Second guess would be the amount of water used. 60 grit also eats through the soft obsidian tears very fast so you may need to do your clean outs sooner than usual. I tumbled 40 pounds of those this year in 46/70 and had to do my clean outs every 5 days. They can be a pain on the first go around but they are worth the effort Tumbled apache tearsChuck
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,563
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Post by jamesp on Jul 28, 2015 8:03:51 GMT -5
If you ever stop the tumbler and set the barrel standing the ground particles from the obsidian will set up like concrete on the bottom of the barrel. Slurry from glass and obsidian sets up quickly when rotation stops. Like Chuck mentioned, plastic pellets in 60 grit not needed.
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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 28, 2015 8:34:54 GMT -5
The 33b formula (from Lortone's manual) calls for 4 tbs. grit and water to bottom of top layer. I ran two 33b's for years. Found that 2 or 3 tbs. grit is enough. Always had unused grit when adding 4 tbs. Additionally I arrived at 1/2 cup of water as enough. Some people use less. In a 2/3 to 3/4 full barrel a half cup H2O won't be seen.
And yes, lose the plastic pellets. Rough grind my obsidian without them and it does fine.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jul 28, 2015 11:11:54 GMT -5
Yep, I agree with everything above. I've tried plastic pellets in the rough stage several times an always had a bunch of unused grit left at the end. I stopped doing that.
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boyrock
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2014
Posts: 6
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Post by boyrock on Jul 28, 2015 14:50:51 GMT -5
All right I'll nix the plastic pellets and give it another try. This has happened 4-5 times in a row, so I'm careful not to let barrel sit. Thanks for the advice. John
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lhr
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2015
Posts: 15
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Post by lhr on Aug 28, 2015 19:13:39 GMT -5
Well, I just had the same thing happen with a barrel of onyx on it's 2nd week of stage 1. The first week was fine, and the other barrels of different rocks in the second week were fine, too. I assume I either forgot to put water in or put in too little. I couldn't get all the dried on stuff out of the barrel, and it was even stuck on the rocks, too. I didn't know what to do, so I just recharged it, made sure to put WATER in it, and put it back to tumble another week. Maybe the tumbling will dissolve this stuff. Does anyone know?
I don't mind throwing out the rocks, but I would like to save the barrel.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,563
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Post by jamesp on Aug 29, 2015 2:41:20 GMT -5
Well, I just had the same thing happen with a barrel of onyx on it's 2nd week of stage 1. The first week was fine, and the other barrels of different rocks in the second week were fine, too. I assume I either forgot to put water in or put in too little. I couldn't get all the dried on stuff out of the barrel, and it was even stuck on the rocks, too. I didn't know what to do, so I just recharged it, made sure to put WATER in it, and put it back to tumble another week. Maybe the tumbling will dissolve this stuff. Does anyone know? I don't mind throwing out the rocks, but I would like to save the barrel. Welcome to the forum lhr. Always tumble with water, filled just below the rocks. Unless you are doing a dry process. If you have rocks caked with a dry coating, add water and it should tumble it away. Onyx is very soft and will make a lot of mud in coarse stage. Could make the slurry very thick. It sure should round and shape quickly. Onyx is also difficult to polish in a tumbler. Please post photos if you have any luck.
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lhr
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2015
Posts: 15
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Post by lhr on Aug 29, 2015 11:19:00 GMT -5
Thanks. I'm just learning this, and I love this forum.
I'll see what happens with the onyx this week. I didn't know onyx was hard to tumble. I'll let you know what happens.
I guess I'm really hooked on this. I have 4 stage 1's going now. One of them is ruby, which I know will probably take a year, at least, but it's improving.
I also have a barrel of Tiger eye, just started this week and one of beautiful pet wood in the 2nd week of stage 1. I was hoping to put the onyx in stage 2 this week, but we'll see.
I can't resist buying rock, and I already have bags lined up, waiting their turn.
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boutoo
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2015
Posts: 62
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Post by boutoo on Aug 29, 2015 12:37:45 GMT -5
Hey boyrock & lhr
Wow!! What machines do you have & how many lhr?
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boyrock
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2014
Posts: 6
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Post by boyrock on Aug 29, 2015 13:48:50 GMT -5
I am using 2 Lortone 33 tumblers. Still having the goop problem, tho I tried all the suggestions. No plastic beads, less grit, plenty of h20 and never let it sit. Still got the goop, just as you describe. Finally have gotten 5 lbs thru the 1st stage and am moving on.
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boutoo
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2015
Posts: 62
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Post by boutoo on Aug 29, 2015 15:21:03 GMT -5
Cool I'm thinking I must be doing something wrong as my slurry doesn't get thick Sigh
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lhr
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2015
Posts: 15
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Post by lhr on Aug 29, 2015 18:30:45 GMT -5
Well, I hate to admit it, but I just keep buying tumbling machines. I started with a single Lortone 33, but now I've added 3 more double Lortone 33 B's. I also added a lot of barrels, so I have several for each stage.
Do you think I'm hooked, or what?
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boutoo
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2015
Posts: 62
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Post by boutoo on Aug 30, 2015 3:47:47 GMT -5
I think it's safe to say you're both well & truly caught by the Spelunking bug, yes Show us pics of your work. The experts can tell you how to improve & the rest of us will coo over your pretties
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Post by captbob on Aug 30, 2015 9:29:20 GMT -5
Well, I hate to admit it, but I just keep buying tumbling machines. I started with a single Lortone 33, but now I've added 3 more double Lortone 33 B's. I also added a lot of barrels, so I have several for each stage. Do you think I'm hooked, or what? Hooked.... yes. Not like that is a bad thing! or what.... I think you are wasting money on "a lot of barrels, so I have several for each stage". Having separate barrels for the polish stage is nice, although not entirely necessary. Having separate barrels for the different grit stages is kinda over kill. You must REALLY not like to clean out the barrels.
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Post by captbob on Aug 30, 2015 9:32:43 GMT -5
I think it's safe to say you're both well & truly caught by the Spelunking bug, yes Spelunking bug? Did I miss something? This is spelunking...
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boutoo
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2015
Posts: 62
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Post by boutoo on Aug 30, 2015 9:58:58 GMT -5
Spelunking = rock hounding, no? I see the pair of boots is hounding in a cave....does that make a difference? I ish teh iggerant n00b
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Post by captbob on Aug 30, 2015 11:27:58 GMT -5
Look it up.
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boutoo
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2015
Posts: 62
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Post by boutoo on Aug 30, 2015 12:26:30 GMT -5
Done Spelunking = Potholing I stand corrected & have learned. Thank you Gentlemen you have caught the rock hounding bug
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
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Post by Fossilman on Aug 30, 2015 17:13:31 GMT -5
Also,some grits are different-I don't care what anyone says! I find some grits are better than others,that are from different Companies... Trial and time....LOL You will figure it out!!!!!!!!
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