chetrulz
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2015
Posts: 2
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Post by chetrulz on Nov 5, 2015 23:18:17 GMT -5
Ive been having the same problem with every batch of rocks, the coarse and find polish steps seem to come through just fine. But every time I run the prepolish step my rocks just get beat up! First I was just tumbling assorted rough bought online, next I had a batch of citrine that looked great after the fine grit but nicked to heck on the prepolish stage. I tried ceramic tumbling media but it didnt really help any, then I tried a batch of smoky quartz (with 4-5 garnets tossed in and a healthy heaping of plastic tumbling media and still its getting beat up. the garnets especially.
I feel Im cleaning my barrel well and Im inspecting everything for rough or sharp edges, why is that prepolish chewing everything up so bad?!
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Post by captbob on Nov 5, 2015 23:48:24 GMT -5
Well first off, welcome to the forum. I'm sure we, as a group, can get ya through this.
Gonna need some more information on your process and set up if you could.
What type and size tumbler are you using? How full is your load including filler media. Water level?
You say things are okay through coarse and fine grit. What is your "fine" grit and what are you calling pre-polish? Was this a grit kit that you are using - from where? If so, do you know what the grits are for each stage other than by coarse, fine and pre-polish?
Hopefully, once we know a few details some answers or suggestions can be offered to help.
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chetrulz
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2015
Posts: 2
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Post by chetrulz on Nov 6, 2015 1:00:18 GMT -5
Thanks for the response Captbob.
Im using the basic Thumler model 100, and Ive been using a "grit kit" from amazon, the Tru-SQuare Rock Tumbling Grit, No 304, but it doesnt specify in the product description specific coarseness numbers. I try to aim for 3/4 full and I try to follow instructions by adding water "just below the top layer of stones" as per most instructions.
If I had to hazard a guess,knowing nothing and having no experience, I would think maybe I just need to go heavy on the plastic tumbling media, even if it slows the process to a crawl, at least my stones will be safe.
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Post by captbob on Nov 6, 2015 1:48:51 GMT -5
Okay, you are using a 3 pound tumbler and I'm going assume that your grit kit is probably 60/90 for coarse, 120/220 for fine and 500 for your pre-polish.
I think a 3/4 full barrel is fine for your first 2 steps. And, you saved me a bunch of typing by figuring that maybe you should add more plastic media to the pre-polish step. If your stones are shaped and smooth going into the 500 pre-polish, I'd go as full as 7/8 or around a half inch from the top of the barrel for the pre-polish and polish steps. Lots of plastic pellets will help cushion the load and hopefully stop the problem that you have been having.
With your filler media, you really shouldn't need any in coarse, and use your ceramic media in the "fine". Switch to the plastic media for the pre-polish and polish. I would not use the same plastic pellets for those two steps. They will carry the 500 grit into the polish stage. Just keep all your filler media in marked tupperware type containers for future use in the same step.
When you get around to needing more grit, many of us here use The Rock Shed. My suggestion would be that when you do place a grit order that you also order a spare belt for the drive pulley and a back up O ring for the lid of your barrel. They both stretch out and you'll need them eventually if you stick with this. It's better to have them on hand than to have to wait for them if don't order until you must.
So, try filling your barrel fuller for the last two steps and see if that helps. Also know that this rock tumbling is a slow process. The "how to" guides say a week in this and a week in that... pfft... it actually takes quite a bit longer if you want quality tumbled rocks. We're always here if you have questions. Good luck and enjoy your rocks.
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Post by Starguy on Nov 29, 2015 14:27:47 GMT -5
chetrulzAre you tumbling a good mix of sizes? You don't want all the stones in the tumbler to be the same size, especially if they are large. They kind of beat each other up by rolling down the face of the tumbling mass instead of sliding. I shoot for 1/3 small, about 1/2 medium and the rest larger sizes. Very round stones will roll too.
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indiana
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
Posts: 285
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Post by indiana on Nov 29, 2015 15:35:56 GMT -5
chetrulz Are you tumbling a good mix of sizes? You don't want all the stones in the tumbler to be the same size, especially if they are large. They kind of beat each other up by rolling down the face of the tumbling mass instead of sliding. I shoot for 1/3 small, about 1/2 medium and the rest larger sizes. Very round stones will roll too. That may explain the load of quartz I beat to hades.
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Shelbeeray
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2006
Posts: 688
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Post by Shelbeeray on Nov 29, 2015 15:38:44 GMT -5
To add to captbob's comments, personally, I wouldn't mix garnet and quartz. Garnet is tough stuff. Off the top of my head, I believe garnet is around a 9 on the MOH and quartz usually around 7. The grit is probably an issue as Captbob pointed out. Adding plastic beads may slow things down, but you can do things fast or you can do things right. Rarely do you get both. Garnets will take longer to get right, simply because they are a harder stone. Starguy makes a good point as well. Good luck!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 30, 2015 10:13:08 GMT -5
I also use different sizes of rock in the tumbler, from pea gravel to silver dollar size pieces..It's helps out from the rocks getting beat up.. Hope you figure it out and get results....
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Post by Starguy on Dec 2, 2015 0:44:40 GMT -5
chetrulz Are you tumbling a good mix of sizes? You don't want all the stones in the tumbler to be the same size, especially if they are large. They kind of beat each other up by rolling down the face of the tumbling mass instead of sliding. I shoot for 1/3 small, about 1/2 medium and the rest larger sizes. Very round stones will roll too. That may explain the load of quartz I beat to hades. indianaI'm sure you didn't ruin the Quartz. You might need to back up a step or two. Quartz is tough to tumble. I start using plastic pellets when I go to 220 grit. The pellets seem to minimize the impact chips. A good mix of sizes is really important too.
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indiana
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
Posts: 285
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Post by indiana on Dec 2, 2015 7:03:36 GMT -5
Thank you Starguy. The batch was pretty uniform in size. I now have some ceramic beads and plastic pellets, I think I'll go back to 220 and try again.
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Post by Starguy on Dec 2, 2015 19:33:29 GMT -5
Thank you Starguy. The batch was pretty uniform in size. I now have some ceramic beads and plastic pellets, I think I'll go back to 220 and try again. indiana I've never used ceramic beads but you need to use different plastic pellets in each stage. You don't want to use the beads from your 220 tumble in the pre-polish stage. They can carry grit from one stage to the next. I usually clean them up after the stage and keep them in a ziplock for the next time I do that stage. good luck. I can't wait to start seeing some photos. Later Brent P.S. Get some good solid agate. It's more forgiving than Quartz. Once you get a recipe and method down, try some of the more difficult tumbles like Quartz or obsidian.
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