es355lucille
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2016
Posts: 194
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Post by es355lucille on Mar 4, 2016 3:01:57 GMT -5
Hi everyone! I have been reading quite a bit off the forum lately and wanting to get started. I purchased a Lortone B33 dual barrel tumbler. I have a batch of Tiger eye and Sodalite to start with. I have some more native rock from our adventures into the rocky mountains, but its no nearly as colorful as these two batches. For now I am going to do the two separate batches.
So my first questions are related to the tiger eye. I was reading the hardness is 6.5-7.0. Have a look below, I have quite a few larger chunks at around ~1.5". I am thinking I may not have enough small rough in the mix. Thoughts? Can I back off on the rough and add some ceramic pellets since this stuff is harder or will that cause other issues? Thanks in advance for your help.
Here is tumbler filled with the whole batch.
Here is my new tumbler.
Here is the Sodalite for the second batch. Hardness 5.5-6.0.
So from everything that I have read so far the first tumble (coarse grit) should be done until the shape of the stone you want is accomplished? Thanks again! Brad
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Post by Toad on Mar 4, 2016 5:09:32 GMT -5
Yes, you definitely want some smalls - whether it be busted up rocks, or ceramic media.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 4, 2016 7:29:37 GMT -5
Smalls will help the rough grind a little and even more so in the smaller 3 pound barrels. Ceramic media can be used as smalls but most prefer not to use those in stage one because you will be grinding them down. There is no issue mixing rocks of different hardness in stage on so you can use any small rocks for filler in stage one then when you move to stage two you can start using ceramics. That sodalite looks like great rough. I think that one is a difficult one to get a good shine on but hope it comes out good. You will really like the tiger eye and that one is usually an easy tumble. I have been running about 10 pounds of tiger eye extremely varied hardness batches with no issues but I use a vibe for everything but stage one so I am not sure if you can get away with it. recent examples of tiger in mixed batches. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/73980/batch-goodies-2-23forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/73835/ya-me-last-weekChuck
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on Mar 4, 2016 8:54:44 GMT -5
In the rough grind stage some smaller rocks from the side of the road, aquarium gravel, $4 bag of small rocks from Lowes or Home Depot, etc., will work for filler. I've started trying to remember when I'm out rock hunting (mostly gravel bars on creeks) to grab some smaller rocks just for this purpose. My standard "store bought" fodder for smalls/filler are small white quartzite-looking rocks...25-30 pounds for $4-$5....HD or Lowes had the better deal...pet shop aquarium gravel was to rich$ for my blood. If I lived in a rocky area (people have begun telling me that mud and muck are not rocks!) I wouldn't worry about buying anything...just self-collect the smalls. If you have some rocks you figure you'll never do anything with (leaverites...rocks you realize you should have left where you found them) then take a big hammer and bust them into smalls (wear eye protection, gloves, etc.,). Be sure and put the rocks on a piece of iron and not directly on your patio cement being as you will crack/chip your patio cement. As mentioned, save the ceramic media for stages beyond coarse/rough grinding. Nice tumbler, Lortone equipment is good. And, you're at the right place for rock tumbling information...these guys here are amazing with the collective knowledge that they have!!! Welcome to RTH!!!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 4, 2016 9:23:26 GMT -5
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arkietumbler
starting to shine!
Member since February 2016
Posts: 28
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Post by arkietumbler on Mar 4, 2016 10:10:02 GMT -5
Congrats on the your setup! Love the Tiger Eye! There's a TON of information on the forums and it's populated by the best people for knowledge about the hobby. Welcome and HAVE FUN!
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es355lucille
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2016
Posts: 194
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Post by es355lucille on Mar 4, 2016 12:13:54 GMT -5
Yes, you definitely want some smalls - whether it be busted up rocks, or ceramic media. Thanks! I will definitely split up the load and add some smalls. Smalls will help the rough grind a little and even more so in the smaller 3 pound barrels. Ceramic media can be used as smalls but most prefer not to use those in stage one because you will be grinding them down. There is no issue mixing rocks of different hardness in stage one so you can use any small rocks for filler in stage one then when you move to stage two you can start using ceramics. That sodalite looks like great rough. I think that one is a difficult one to get a good shine on but hope it comes out good. You will really like the tiger eye and that one is usually an easy tumble. I have been running about 10 pounds of tiger eye extremely varied hardness batches with no issues but I use a vibe for everything but stage one so I am not sure if you can get away with it. recent examples of tiger in mixed batches. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/73980/batch-goodies-2-23forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/73835/ya-me-last-weekChuck You know Chuck I went into the lapidary shop the other day to purchase a larger tumbler......being new at this as soon as I seen the larger barrels and thinking about how much rough I would need I backed off. I can see maybe having a larger single for the first batch may be the thing to have in the future. Thanks also as I was not sure about mixing different rough for the first batch.
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es355lucille
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2016
Posts: 194
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Post by es355lucille on Mar 4, 2016 12:40:45 GMT -5
In the rough grind stage some smaller rocks from the side of the road, aquarium gravel, $4 bag of small rocks from Lowes or Home Depot, etc., will work for filler. I've started trying to remember when I'm out rock hunting (mostly gravel bars on creeks) to grab some smaller rocks just for this purpose. My standard "store bought" fodder for smalls/filler are small white quartzite-looking rocks...25-30 pounds for $4-$5....HD or Lowes had the better deal...pet shop aquarium gravel was to rich$ for my blood. If I lived in a rocky area (people have begun telling me that mud and muck are not rocks!) I wouldn't worry about buying anything...just self-collect the smalls. If you have some rocks you figure you'll never do anything with (leverites...rocks you realize you should have left where you found them) then take a big hammer and bust them into smalls (wear eye protection, gloves, etc.,). Be sure and put the rocks on a piece of iron and not directly on your patio cement being as you will crack/chip your patio cement. As mentioned, save the ceramic media for stages beyond coarse/rough grinding. Nice tumbler, Lortone equipment is good. And, you're at the right place for rock tumbling information...these guys here are amazing with the collective knowledge that they have!!! Welcome to RTH!!!
Thanks Ed, I was standing in a mountain stream last weekend, I could have picked up lots of smaller rocks, the gravel bars were all small material.......you are correct I have a lifetime of material right here! LOL! I also have a few rocks that I should have left on the mountain, seemed like I found gold at the time.... I do however have a few that I should post on here and identification at this time is not my stong suit. I will take your advice for breaking rock.
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es355lucille
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2016
Posts: 194
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Post by es355lucille on Mar 4, 2016 12:46:45 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck, they look pretty good. Is there a place on the forums that specifies the batch instructions of what worked well for everyone for a specific type of rock? I am going to create this for myself so that I can compare "cake mixes" so to say to see what work better than others. Do we have a forum area for that? I have kind of searched but it seems to be specific to folks threads and what they are doing at the time. Thanks again! Brad
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es355lucille
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2016
Posts: 194
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Post by es355lucille on Mar 4, 2016 12:51:47 GMT -5
Congrats on the your setup! Love the Tiger Eye! There's a TON of information on the forums and it's populated by the best people for knowledge about the hobby. Welcome and HAVE FUN!
Thanks! I was reading a thread of yours last night and seen the batch of rock you had started, looking good! I agree there are a lot of knowledge on this site. I have been taking my time and reading as much as I can.
The first batch of stones is a little daunting to get started......
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 4, 2016 19:25:58 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. I have the same rotary tumbler as you, along with a Lot O tumbler. I love my Lortone, but after two months at this, I have reached the same conclusion you...must have larger tumbler for course grind!
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es355lucille
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2016
Posts: 194
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Post by es355lucille on Mar 5, 2016 1:30:08 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. I have the same rotary tumbler as you, along with a Lot O tumbler. I love my Lortone, but after two months at this, I have reached the same conclusion you...must have larger tumbler for course grind!
Yes, I am seriously thinking about a QT-12 just to do the first pass course grind! I thought I was reading a lot of information about tumbling.......but I somehow missed that portion. Oh well, its all fun and very enjoying.
My wife and I hike in the mountains and carry backpacks with 25lbs of rock........I am farther from an Olympian than you can get!! LOL! but let me tell you after a few times out its amazing how I feel........and who doesn't like to hike and explore for rocks!
How do you like the Lot-O? I have been looking in Canada and the last lapidary place I visited in the city said they have never heard of it. I may have to purchase from the Rock Shed and pay the exchange and shipping.
Thanks for the comments!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 5, 2016 9:45:41 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum................I too,am a newbie at tumbling,but getting better with each batch that tumbles away... I just use common gravel from the gravel bars on the rivers(for fill).....Works great...
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es355lucille
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2016
Posts: 194
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Post by es355lucille on Mar 5, 2016 15:28:22 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum................I too,am a newbie at tumbling,but getting better with each batch that tumbles away... I just use common gravel from the gravel bars on the rivers(for fill).....Works great...
Thanks, I have been reading some of your threads! I will be collecting some gravel today and splitting up my tiger eye batches.
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