sschus87
starting to shine!
Member since November 2015
Posts: 49
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Post by sschus87 on Feb 24, 2016 11:10:54 GMT -5
Right now I am running a cheap Harbor Freight double barrel tumbler (It's been running nonstop for over 6 months) that I have been using exclusively for stage one. Then I cull and do the second stage and prepolish in my 5# vibe. From there I have a smaller 3# vibe that I use exclusively for polish and burnish.
All works fine. The only problem I have is that when I cull rocks from one stage to another I don't have enough at some times to proceed so I have to store them until I have a large enough batch. How should I store these? My current method is keeping them in a Tupperware style container filled with water so the rocks don't dry out.
Also, I think I could solve this problem with a larger tumbler or a second one. Isn't that always the case? More means better?
Thanks---Steve
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Post by captbob on Feb 24, 2016 11:15:42 GMT -5
Your water in Tupperware storage is fine. I do the same if need be.
You are actually keeping the grit from drying and turning into a hard to remove cement, rather than keeping the rocks from "drying out".
More tumblers is always the correct answer!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 24, 2016 11:26:19 GMT -5
If you have any grit still on your rocks or in crevices then they are not being cleaned properly between stages. I store mine dry while they wait for stage 2 but I generally do not have any pits or imperfections that could trap grit anyway if they have been pulled to move on. Storing them wet will not hurt anything so if your comfortable doing that then go for it.
Chuck
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Post by 150FromFundy on Feb 24, 2016 16:27:57 GMT -5
I simply use empty peanut butter jars in the 4 lb to 5 lb size. They are almost clear, shatterproof plastic and stack well. The lids are watertight if you want to store rocks wet. It takes 2 to 3 full jars to fill my UV-10 for finishing the tumble. I also store all my grit and polish in these jars. The only down side is you have to eat a lot of peanut butter.
The Boss can get grumpy when I use her Tupperware for anything to do with rocks, grit, Iron Out, etc. Happy Boss, re-used product (less landfill), and lots of peanut butter. It's all good.
Darryl.
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Feb 24, 2016 19:21:15 GMT -5
I dry the rocks between stages and store them in labeled plastic bags. The only time I keep the rocks wet is when taking them out of the polish stage and putting them back in for a soap wash to remove any remaining polish... if the polish in any hairline cracks dries out at this stage it will harden and you'll never get it out, no matter how long you burnish, and since polish is white it will be very noticeable. For earlier stages, I store dry. Storing them wet won't hurt anything, but it isn't necessary. -Don
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 24, 2016 22:27:03 GMT -5
I just wash mine in Dawn dish soap,dry them out,than store them in clean containers,till I'm ready for them to continue..
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2016 6:59:02 GMT -5
It's not like they are perishable. No need to freeze them, they won't melt. In your home while waiting between stages they won't grow mold or mildew.
The only really important point is to make 1000% sure that there is absolutely zero carryover of grit between stages.
Other than that, they are rocks. Store them any way you desire.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Feb 25, 2016 14:10:19 GMT -5
I have never stored rocks wet. The only storage I do is after the first stage. I mix my rocks during the coarse stage, but I prefer to finish them in more homogeneous batches. It takes a while to get a full batch for the Lot-O, so I have a bunch of boxes to store my rocks in. I prefer these cheap Rubbermaid boxes that only cost about a buck apiece. They're also about the same volume as my Lot-O so I know when I have enough to fill the barrel. I have some stored in pickled bologna jars too.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 25, 2016 14:58:28 GMT -5
I have never stored rocks wet. The only storage I do is after the first stage. I mix my rocks during the coarse stage, but I prefer to finish them in more homogeneous batches. It takes a while to get a full batch for the Lot-O, so I have a bunch of boxes to store my rocks in. I prefer these cheap Rubbermaid boxes that only cost about a buck apiece. They're also about the same volume as my Lot-O so I know when I have enough to fill the barrel. I have some stored in pickled bologna jars too. Nice setup Rob. That adds another level of patience to the mix. Chuck
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