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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 10, 2015 17:46:19 GMT -5
If you have large vugs, you might consider inserting a chisel and breaking the rock at vug. Then you can tumble the two smaller stones.
Undercutting doesn't usually occur in the first stage in my experience. It would be interesting to see the rocks that are undercutting.
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br347213
starting to spend too much on rocks
Henderson, NV
Member since October 2015
Posts: 106
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Post by br347213 on Nov 12, 2015 11:32:24 GMT -5
If you have large vugs, you might consider inserting a chisel and breaking the rock at vug. Then you can tumble the two smaller stones. Undercutting doesn't usually occur in the first stage in my experience. It would be interesting to see the rocks that are undercutting. Can't do a pic right now unfortunately i'll have to get back to you on that. but from what i'm seeing the softer material on the stone is getting cut lower than the harder material so the harder is always protruding and the rock does't get much smoother and rounded, just smaller with each cycle. one in particular was a great piece to start out with, one of those one's you could reverse tumble haha. i believe pink common opal partly surrounded by some very hard volcanic rock. could be something else though. I'll send the one's with vugs through one more cycle to make it an even month and see where things are at. I'll just put them in a box for later if it doesn't seem like they'll work out.
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br347213
starting to spend too much on rocks
Henderson, NV
Member since October 2015
Posts: 106
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Post by br347213 on Nov 19, 2015 16:20:16 GMT -5
Hi again. a few things to talk about today and some questions.
So that rock that i thought was undercutting was just a crappy rock. way too rough with many vugs and gashes to be tumbled well. which got me thinking that i need to be more careful about the rocks i choose to tumble. i went through my current stash and got rid of some that would have heen hopeless. i laughed at myself lookig as some of the old stones i first put in there. i don't know how i thought that would tumble. silly me. still figuring ot what kinds of stones tumble better than others but overall i am getting more efficient. i went through my current load and just said adios to a bunch that were hopeless. it was sad to see them go because it felt like wasted time and money but in the end that's part of the learning process and i now know what to look out for. it also gave me a chance to put in a bunch of new stuff that i am confident will tumble nicely.
I used even less water again, just under half a cup. I think this is a good amount. Still frustrated with the lack of a slurry, grr. wondering if i should try to use some clay to encourage it. i also reloaded today with a fresh, full 5 tbsp of 60/90 because i figured if i have no slurry i'm not putting any old grit back in so why am i only using 3 per reload right now. hopefully i get the slurry down soon so i don't have to do 5 every time.
another issue i ran into today is leaking. i was able to stop it on one barrel after cleaning the rim but with the other barrel i can't seem to get it to stop. i can't get all the grit off the rim, i need a toothpick or something. it's still really difficult even usig a small utencil to scrape it off. i think i'll have to do a full clean out every time and fully wash each barrel to stop this. it's also tempting me to buy a 15lb so i don't have to deal wih this crap haha. plus i'd be able to process rocks more than twice as many at a time. but that's a 250 investment at least with the extra barrel i'd want for polish. bleh. anyway i have the leaky tumbler going right now. it's only small nickel size drips every half hour or so. i guess that adds up though. hmmm, what should i do? any tips or tricks or do i have to just take it off, clean the rim again and hope for the best?
Thanks guys.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 19, 2015 17:10:18 GMT -5
I use Lortone tumblers and don't have leaking issues. I clean the rim with a toothbrush. The dollar store has multipacks of toothbrushes for, you guessed it, a buck.
Personally, I think you're too worried about your slurry. If the grit is used up (no longer gritty) then it did its job. I use a half cup of water in a three pound barrel.
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br347213
starting to spend too much on rocks
Henderson, NV
Member since October 2015
Posts: 106
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Post by br347213 on Nov 19, 2015 17:16:54 GMT -5
I use Lortone tumblers and don't have leaking issues. I clean the rim with a toothbrush. The dollar store has multipacks of toothbrushes for, you guessed it, a buck. Personally, I think you're too worried about your slurry. If the grit is used up (no longer gritty) then it did its job. I use a half cup of water in a three pound barrel. Ok, cool. yeah the grit has been used up. I have been thinkin about the Lortones. maybe an idea for a christmas gift to myself Toothbrush is a great thought, thanks!
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