Trouthunter
having dreams about rocks
Member since May 2004
Posts: 63
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Post by Trouthunter on Jun 5, 2004 0:21:21 GMT -5
Well, it's about Gawdanged time! Got back in from a short trip (was supposed to be a vacation, but turned into a "working" vacation halfway through when the phone started to ring) and started my first 4 pound barrel last night. Cracked it open tonight to make sure it wasn't foaming up or anything, and it looks just fine.
It's just a bunch of driveway rock. I picked a bunch of rocks that looked interesting, but it's really low qual I'm sure. How am I gong to wait for this to be done! My son wanted to open it up this morning - figured it would be done after spending the night tumbling, lol.
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Jun 5, 2004 14:46:45 GMT -5
This hobby/obsession will teach you patience. I picked up my first agate from landscape rock, you never know what you will find
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donwrob
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 509
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Post by donwrob on Jun 5, 2004 16:39:30 GMT -5
That it will Warren ;D . Trouthhunter, man it's tough to wait on that first load buddy. I think most all of us went bezerk just trying to keep them in for a week. Hang in there, it pays off to get a good first grind. You'll be a lot happier with the results, trust me. Good luck, Don
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Post by krazydiamond on Jun 5, 2004 19:27:55 GMT -5
i'm fairly new at this tumbling thing and very new to this website and very glad to find like minded rock hounds. i am interested in everyones different equipment, i have a three pound rotary tumbler that goes through belts like toilet paper....they aren't expensive, mind you, but i do have to order them in advance. i have marveled at the vibratory units out there...any comments, pro or con?
KD
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Post by cookie3rocks on Jun 5, 2004 20:01:35 GMT -5
Hi KD I'm new myself and my first tumbler is a vibe. I'm still just learning but most people say you can pick up yhe pace a little with a vibe. Can't prove it by me, but I'm just too impatient Trout hunter, I've got agates going right now, they've bin in coarse 9 days with very little change. But, by God, I' gonna stay the coase. This stuff is so pretty rough that I'm determained to get a good result no matter how long it takes. I'm there for ya, buddy. cookie
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Post by rockyraccoon on Jun 5, 2004 23:21:08 GMT -5
good luck on your 1st load trouthunter! i've done several batches of driveway gravel and have been pleased with them.
kim
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Post by creativeminded on Jun 6, 2004 11:01:36 GMT -5
Krazydiamond, are you running a Lortone tumbler? If you are, you might need to take the housing off of the tumbler, because it get too hot. That is what I found out with my 3# tumbler.
Tami
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Trouthunter
having dreams about rocks
Member since May 2004
Posts: 63
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Post by Trouthunter on Jun 6, 2004 11:26:08 GMT -5
"stay the coarse" Good line, Cookie. I'll hang in there. I was doing some work on the computer here last night, which I normally find to be frustrating and stressful, but I think the sound of the rocks tumbling across the room had a calming effect on me. Maybe I'l have to set up a tumbler in my office at work!
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Post by sandsman1 on Jun 6, 2004 11:55:56 GMT -5
hi all ---hey KD you might wanna look when you change the next belt and make sure the pulleys are lined up,,if there not lined up there is a small allen screw on each pulley just loosen one of them and put them in a strait line see if that helps ,cause if there not lined up right it can make them wear out faster by rubbing on the lip of the pulleys, also check for any burs on the pulleys
somethings not right,, normal wear on a belt can be one to two yrs
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Trouthunter
having dreams about rocks
Member since May 2004
Posts: 63
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Post by Trouthunter on Jun 9, 2004 13:42:03 GMT -5
Well, I couldn't resist, so I took a look last night. The difference is tremendous, and they are really looking nice, but they aren't all quite there yet. The grit was MIA. Nothing even remotely grit like in the tumbler, so I tossed in a couple more tablespoons (3 to be exact) and tossed it back on the rollers for a couple more days. I'll really take a good look at them tomorrow night and see if I can move on. Most of these were already pretty well rounded, but many were crushed, so I might be able to move most of them on to the next stage and just hold back the ones that were really jagged. I can't believe how well the color in some of them is starting to come out! Maybe I'll have some driveway treasures of my own in a couple weeks.
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RiverOtter
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2004
Posts: 339
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Post by RiverOtter on Jun 10, 2004 0:40:24 GMT -5
Talk about driveway treasures, I just checked on my second load I'm currently running of driveway rock and wow. It's turning out really well. I was quite surprised by the color and pattern in it. After 8 days in course it was ready to move into 120/220 already. My first batch really surprised me as well. It's 4 days into polish now. I think it will be ready by Saturday and I can't wait to see how it comes out.
Otter
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Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Banjocreek on Jun 10, 2004 1:01:33 GMT -5
Hey Cookie- I have heard tell that the vibes do not work as well in the early stage as a rotary. But on the other hand do a fantastic polish. The lack of material removal may just be the 'nature of the beast' in the "Vibe" in the early stages. Others with way more experience may have a word to add, to confirm or deny what I have mentioned. I run 9 rotarys and no vibes, as of yet, but I'm looking.
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Mazanec
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2004
Posts: 355
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Post by Mazanec on Jun 10, 2004 11:15:44 GMT -5
Yeah, patterns can be a surprise. The patterns I got on my plain looking flint just amaze me...
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