jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 9, 2016 18:42:38 GMT -5
Note to self,writing this info down!!!! Well, tumbling is monotonously slow due to shaping. Spent most of the time trying to speed up coarse grind. Looks like adding coarse grit more often was the trick starring at me the whole time.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2016 19:00:02 GMT -5
jamespBall valve may suffer from grit same as threads on my clean out. Easy change being npt and all
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Intheswamp
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Post by Intheswamp on May 9, 2016 19:41:33 GMT -5
Another observation, do not put sharp agates on a Corelle plate lest you like exploding plates.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 9, 2016 20:05:02 GMT -5
jamespBall valve may suffer from grit same as threads on my clean out. Easy change being npt and all Rocks will jam in the hole too.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2016 21:10:54 GMT -5
jamespBall valve may suffer from grit same as threads on my clean out. Easy change being npt and all Rocks will jam in the hole too. So a dowel pushes rocks back add grit.
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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 May 9, 2016 22:06:22 GMT -5
Ok that is a beast of a machine!
Would be an interesting test to run one batch to 48 hrs and check grit breakdown and try adding more grit in the beginning and check it to see if more would take you out to 72-96 hrs......it would be worth it in the end if you could have a longer aggressive grind without the maintenance of opening to add. It still works out to be a pretty short time period.
Really like the ellipsoidal rotary tumbler! That would eat large material! How much grit do you add to "the beast"!
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 9, 2016 23:12:16 GMT -5
It holds 50 #, so 3-4 cups. it beats rocks up bad. Will experiment with it soon es. Will not do a cleanout, just ad grit and when slurry is too thick pour some off and add water to thin. Over fill with water when grit is worn down, run for a couple of minutes to thin slurry, then pour off to proper level. It is outside where it can make a big mess. Freezes in winter which also presented problems.
My other barrels are 6 inches, this one 20. Guessing taller rock(pressure) column will greatly increase grind rate.
It really does tear up rocks with water slurry. And due to it shape the grit did not circulate at all. Gave up on it, but it will probably do fine with the slurry trick.
I found a couple of 100 pounds of SiC 40 grinding wheels at a junk yard. I break them into one ~inch chunks and tumble with them. In that case I use 4-5 times more weight because the chunks serve as time release SiC.
It may even shape smalls(without larges). May try it with pea sized glass chips.
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rastageezer
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 169
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Post by rastageezer on May 9, 2016 23:16:27 GMT -5
Great thread. Me, I'm lazy, usually running my first tumbles until there is some room in the Lot-O, taking out any finished stones, adding more grit and stones, and running some more in the never ending process. Old fashioned but it works.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 10, 2016 7:46:07 GMT -5
Great thread. Me, I'm lazy, usually running my first tumbles until there is some room in the Lot-O, taking out any finished stones, adding more grit and stones, and running some more in the never ending process. Old fashioned but it works. Tried all kinds of methods rasta. Adding grit on the fly is totally effective and saves labor.
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rastageezer
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 169
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Post by rastageezer on May 10, 2016 17:33:31 GMT -5
well I idid clean out some 40/70 today and recharged with fresh......the slurry was smooth...........
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 17:35:09 GMT -5
Today after 24 hrs, my tumbler is quieter than before, but I can hear the SiC cutting/shattering over the motor and stones. I will bet tomorrow I wont be able to hear this. Source of quiet is correct kitty litter addition? maybe... My first batch on the jamesp method...
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rastageezer
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 169
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Post by rastageezer on May 10, 2016 17:47:23 GMT -5
when you start hearing the tumbling you have to start wondering about the hobby
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 18:02:46 GMT -5
when you start hearing the tumbling you have to start wondering about the hobby Not sure I follow. Perhaps you can add more to help us understand your angle here. I admit it may be snark. I like snark. Just dont get it here!!
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 10, 2016 19:21:55 GMT -5
This tumbler is way louder than PVC tumblers. Running with water slurry chaffed and bruised the agates badly. Gave up on it. And the grit was washing off guessing due to the tall lift. Little grinding. Since experimenting with slurry thickener I thought I would give it another go. Water slurry: Clay slurry: Thick slurry sticking the SiC 30 rocks very well. Bruising sounds gone. Fell certain that tall design is going to have much more grinding pressure on rocks and a longer avalanche where a lot of the grinding occurs. I have seen commercial operations use tall narrow barrels for more weight on the rocks for coarse grind verses a longer lower cylinder barrel. so doing some calculations Lortone 12 pound barrel, guessing 7 inche diameter, 11 inches long. Bear with, may be off, no matter. So volume is 7X7X11X3.14= 1690 cubic inches Solving length for 12 inch diameter for volume = 1690 cubic inches: 1690=12X12Xlengthx3.14= 452 X length. so length= 1690 divided by 452 = say 4 inches long SO, would a 7 inch diameter barrel 11 inches long grind rocks slower than a 12 inch diameter barrel 4 inches long, both having the same volume. My guess would be that the tall barrel would coarse grind faster because there is more rock weight and the avalanche is longer. Am estimating SiC 30 will be ground to nothing in 24 hours in the above steel 20 inch tumbler. Intend on adding SiC 30 everyday, 3 cups for the about 45 pounds of rocks. Just started today will check grit tomorrow. Rocks and 3 bowls of glass: Clay from absolute greasiest slimy hill top spot Close up of beat up rocks from last try, wet
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 10, 2016 19:41:34 GMT -5
@shotgunner, I added clay three times till the slurry got thick enough. Let it run 3 or so hours each time till the clay got broken down for sure. Am at 16 cups of clay for guessing 45 pounds rock. Will check tomorrow to see if too much/too little. Must dial her in. Note 1/2" NPT brass plug for removing water to establish correct level. By stopping it at 2 o'clock/2:30 Can also funnel in fresh grit. Can also drain via that hole into tub for reuse if needed.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 10, 2016 19:46:13 GMT -5
Craftool tall narrow tumbler, half gallon
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,547
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Post by tkvancil on May 10, 2016 20:50:51 GMT -5
I have to say thank you for this thread jamesp . I had started a new batch of agate on Sunday. It's some material I'm excited to finish. I had planned to open it up Thursday to ensure the volume hadn't decreased enough to cause problems. However I couldn't get your assertion that grit is used up after 48 hours out of my head. So !! ....... I had to check for myself. Sure glad I did. No grit and good but not overly thick slurry. Hmmmm. Now what? Top 'er off, recharge and go! Guess I'll still be opening Thursday, likely for another recharge. Looking forward to see how this works out. Something new to try as well.
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Post by spiceman on May 10, 2016 21:07:24 GMT -5
Nice job The slurry looks real nice, Did you add anything to make the slurry good? What type of rocks are you tumbling?
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Post by spiceman on May 10, 2016 21:56:45 GMT -5
The pages didn't show up until After sent the message. Please forget the thread. Still nice job.
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quartz
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breakin' rocks in the hot sun
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Post by quartz on May 11, 2016 0:12:29 GMT -5
Interesting thread, thanks. Hope that big disc barrel works out well. Did notice you used pi D [diameter] squared x H for volume, should be pi R [radius] squared x H.
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