bunnybunnybun
starting to shine!
Discovering my cooking is like tumbling. Both result in inedible rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 42
|
Post by bunnybunnybun on Sept 26, 2016 16:08:07 GMT -5
Wow! Okay, I'm green. I didn't even know about this hardness scale! This will very much aid in my decision making. Some of these I had no idea. Like, Topaz being a 8? I assumed it would be super fragile.
So then, using this, better mixes would be things such as: Topaz (8) with Emerald (7.5-8) Amethyst (7) with Quartz (7) and Jasper (6.5-7) Apatite (5) with Lapis Lazuli (5-6)?
The peacock ore is weaker than I thought. 3-3.25. I'll definitely have to be gentle with that. Alone, with cushioning, and a day at most.
|
|
bunnybunnybun
starting to shine!
Discovering my cooking is like tumbling. Both result in inedible rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 42
|
Post by bunnybunnybun on Sept 30, 2016 17:49:16 GMT -5
---UPDATE--- I took your advice and scrapped that set for now. I'll eventually do the ruby set, but I'll do a 7 set to start out. A set of (left to right) Amethyst, Green & Blue Quartz, Agate, and Rose Amethyst. All 7s. Combined these fill about 3/4th of the barrel. I've added a bit of Small Ceramic as well since a few of them do have semi-pointy sides. And followed the instructions that came with the Thumbler MP-1 and used 2 1/4th grit, added enough water to just touch the top of the rocks. Would the suggested time for this be a standard 7 days? Check them about day 5? My last batch may have gone well but I let it run too long by mistake. Just making sure this time in advance.
|
|
|
Post by orrum on Sept 30, 2016 18:33:13 GMT -5
Doing quartz I use half ceramics to avoid bruising. I also use a couple tablespoons of Borax and some leftover slurry from previous batches to thicken to avoid bruising my luck with the plastic pellets is the quartz still bruises.
|
|
|
Post by orrum on Sept 30, 2016 18:33:54 GMT -5
Oh I don't know about putting agates in.
|
|
bunnybunnybun
starting to shine!
Discovering my cooking is like tumbling. Both result in inedible rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 42
|
Post by bunnybunnybun on Sept 30, 2016 19:14:20 GMT -5
Too late. I'll check after 1 day. if I see any indications it's damaging them I'll pull the agates out
|
|
bunnybunnybun
starting to shine!
Discovering my cooking is like tumbling. Both result in inedible rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 42
|
Post by bunnybunnybun on Oct 2, 2016 7:34:50 GMT -5
Removed them just in case. Replaced them with more medium ceramic. So now the mix is purely Quartz and Amethyst.
How long would you expect it to take in a rotary? (estimated, as I know each load is different depending on how much smoothing is needed)
|
|
dottyt
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 305
|
Post by dottyt on Oct 2, 2016 13:07:43 GMT -5
Removed them just in case. Replaced them with more medium ceramic. So now the mix is purely Quartz and Amethyst. How long would you expect it to take in a rotary? (estimated, as I know each load is different depending on how much smoothing is needed) I think you are in Stage 1, coarse? Then you just have to check about once a week to see if the rocks are shaped enough. It depends totally on the rocks. If they have a lot of sharp edges and points (like someone broke them with a hammer) they will take longer than if they are river rock shaped (from a river, or being ground down or whatever). Yours look fairly unpointy, and mine are generally very pointy and take weeks and weeks. I have just been tracking how long my Stage 1 takes, instead of documenting the rocks at each week, so maybe someone else here with rounder rocks or more documentation can help? Since you figured out the photo thing right away (I still haven't), you could just post photos and ask if they are done yet too. Good luck with them!
|
|
richardh
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 391
|
Post by richardh on Oct 2, 2016 19:37:22 GMT -5
Removed them just in case. Replaced them with more medium ceramic. So now the mix is purely Quartz and Amethyst. How long would you expect it to take in a rotary? (estimated, as I know each load is different depending on how much smoothing is needed) I think you are in Stage 1, coarse? Then you just have to check about once a week to see if the rocks are shaped enough. It depends totally on the rocks. If they have a lot of sharp edges and points (like someone broke them with a hammer) they will take longer than if they are river rock shaped (from a river, or being ground down or whatever). Yours look fairly unpointy, and mine are generally very pointy and take weeks and weeks. I have just been tracking how long my Stage 1 takes, instead of documenting the rocks at each week, so maybe someone else here with rounder rocks or more documentation can help? Since you figured out the photo thing right away (I still haven't), you could just post photos and ask if they are done yet too. Good luck with them! That is exactly what I've been doing (after reading that recommendations here). I just check every week and remove any material that looks "properly" shaped and replace it with fresh rough and just keep it going. So far I haven't been super careful about separating materials by hardnesses at this stage. In the following stages I am careful to have material of uniform hardness in the barrel. When I do have material that I know is soft like Septarian in with Jaspers and agates I check every day.
|
|
bunnybunnybun
starting to shine!
Discovering my cooking is like tumbling. Both result in inedible rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 42
|
Post by bunnybunnybun on Oct 4, 2016 4:55:25 GMT -5
I've paused for a moment just after Day 3, because it was making more noise than normal. I think I may have overloaded it in weight. I forgot to take into account the weight of the ceramics, I think. Will be more careful with weight after reloading this afternoon. Also glad I stopped for another reason. Currently this is how they look at present It looks like they're going the same route as the flourite, somehow. Lots of cracks and discolourations on the amethyst and green quartz. Though I'm unsure if that's what it's supposed to look like when still shaping. Also no matter how much rinsing, I couldn't clean this one out. You can see a bunch of grit still clinging to it inside the tiny divots/fractures. I know it won't matter if I just send it back into Stage 1, but would be bad if it went to stage 2. Any suggestions/tips for cleaning the hard to reach spots?
|
|
stonedape
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 116
|
Post by stonedape on Oct 4, 2016 10:21:07 GMT -5
I think if you keep them in the coarse stage you will grind down a lot of the cracks and flakes. When it gets shaped more I think a lot of those parts holding grit won't be there anymore. I'm sure others will chime in on this matter also. Keep the coarse stage going until your rocks are in the shape you want them polished in. Once they go into stage 2 they won't change shape much at all. I'm not sure if everyone recharges during their Coarse Stage but every few days I add a table spoon of coarse grit. As the grit does its job it gets broken down and isn't as effective. I think the rocks are coming along pretty good!
|
|
richardh
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 391
|
Post by richardh on Oct 4, 2016 12:03:06 GMT -5
I've paused for a moment just after Day 3, because it was making more noise than normal. I think I may have overloaded it in weight. I forgot to take into account the weight of the ceramics, I think. Will be more careful with weight after reloading this afternoon. Also glad I stopped for another reason. Currently this is how they look at present It looks like they're going the same route as the flourite, somehow. Lots of cracks and discolourations on the amethyst and green quartz. Though I'm unsure if that's what it's supposed to look like when still shaping. Also no matter how much rinsing, I couldn't clean this one out. You can see a bunch of grit still clinging to it inside the tiny divots/fractures. I know it won't matter if I just send it back into Stage 1, but would be bad if it went to stage 2. Any suggestions/tips for cleaning the hard to reach spots? I have only done a few pieces of this sort of material but what I experienced was rocks that look similar to your photos. I ended up running them until they were pretty much rounded though I never could get them perfectly rounded as there were some deep pits and cracks. They looked pretty bad at the end of stage one and I had actually set them aside for a while. Later I came back and ran them in the next stage 120-220 and after a week they were looking a lot better so I ran them for another week and they looked pretty good. They are in the polish stage now but I think they will end up looking good. It looks like the 120-220 stage can get rid of a lot of that frosting.
|
|
bunnybunnybun
starting to shine!
Discovering my cooking is like tumbling. Both result in inedible rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 42
|
Post by bunnybunnybun on Oct 4, 2016 12:11:49 GMT -5
Thank you for the advice. Was worried I broke another set. Still worried I may have shortened the life of the barrel by overfilling it, but it's still water tight. bottom side of the barrel seems so thin though. hopefully just me worrying. I doubt two loads is enough to destroy it.
I'll run it another 4 days and check again, then do what richardh mentione earlier and take out anything completed and replace it with more. I have enough quartz and amethyst for about 4 or 5 more batches. Hopefully when I'm done with these I'll be ready for the more difficult stuff I've collected.
|
|
stonedape
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 116
|
Post by stonedape on Oct 4, 2016 13:11:58 GMT -5
Another thing you could do if there are cracks and pits is fill them with superglue (or another type of hard glue)before prepolish and polish. Then when they are polished you can put them in acetone and it will eat the glue and you will taken out the possibility of contaminating the polish stages with trapped grit.
|
|
huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
|
Post by huskeric on Oct 5, 2016 11:26:26 GMT -5
I think they look good, so far, but IMHO, they still need at least 3-4 more days in stage 1. That will take off the irregular surfaces and round them off more. If memory serves, you have said you like them to keep some of their unique form, and you don't want to let them go as long. I understand that, but would tell you that if that's how you like your rocks, you will be MUCH better off with a Lot-O than you will with a rotary. I am far from an expert, but if you were to take those through to polish stage, you would be disappointed with the finish you were able to get on them. If you are looking for the learning experience, as opposed to leaving them more "au naturale" Just let them run for a week or so and see how they come out. I think you'll be surprised at how much they do keep their character, even smoothed down.
I am UBER ADHD, so it takes a force of will for me to not dump them out and look at them twice a day. The best ingredient for any rock tumbling is patience, and it's also one of the hardest to come by for me. If you're using SiC grit, it will continue to break down with the material, and you could probably let the thing run on stage 1 for 2 months, and the difference in rock size would be negligible at best because they grit will break down and become more of a polish than anything else.
That is one of my long-term goals, to put a load of rocks in my 12# barrel with some 36 grit SiC and just leave it the heck alone for a six weeks, except to check the slurry thickness occasionally. I'm sure there are many variables in terms of rock size, mohs hardness, etc., but in general, I don't think I would be unhappy with the results.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Oct 5, 2016 11:34:19 GMT -5
You didn't ruin your barrel or your tumbler. Throw the rocks in, add your grit and water. Don't open the lid for at least 7 days. Rinse everything. Was there still grit left in the slurry? You can run longer next time. Pull all the nicely rounded rocks. Add new rough to make up the difference. Repeat.
|
|
bunnybunnybun
starting to shine!
Discovering my cooking is like tumbling. Both result in inedible rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 42
|
Post by bunnybunnybun on Oct 5, 2016 14:51:45 GMT -5
I think they look good, so far, but IMHO, they still need at least 3-4 more days in stage 1. That will take off the irregular surfaces and round them off more. If memory serves, you have said you like them to keep some of their unique form, and you don't want to let them go as long. I understand that, but would tell you that if that's how you like your rocks, you will be MUCH better off with a Lot-O than you will with a rotary. I am far from an expert, but if you were to take those through to polish stage, you would be disappointed with the finish you were able to get on them. If you are looking for the learning experience, as opposed to leaving them more "au naturale" Just let them run for a week or so and see how they come out. I think you'll be surprised at how much they do keep their character, even smoothed down. I am UBER ADHD, so it takes a force of will for me to not dump them out and look at them twice a day. The best ingredient for any rock tumbling is patience, and it's also one of the hardest to come by for me. If you're using SiC grit, it will continue to break down with the material, and you could probably let the thing run on stage 1 for 2 months, and the difference in rock size would be negligible at best because they grit will break down and become more of a polish than anything else. That is one of my long-term goals, to put a load of rocks in my 12# barrel with some 36 grit SiC and just leave it the heck alone for a six weeks, except to check the slurry thickness occasionally. I'm sure there are many variables in terms of rock size, mohs hardness, etc., but in general, I don't think I would be unhappy with the results. Already running them another 4. will check them then, as it will have been a full week since roughs. And actually, I've gotten my hands on a Lot-O vibratory! So I'll be using the rotary purely for stage 1, and move them to 2 once I've collected enough to fill it (will need several loads, as it is much larger than my MP-1 Thumbler) I'm using the grit sold at rocktumbler.com, 60/90 Mesh Silicon Carbide. And I know the feeling. I'm a tad impatient too. I also have about 5 or so more loads of quartz/amethyst, and 2 of agates, not to mention quite a few more of non-7s. It'll be a year to do them all if I leave them for 2 months each
|
|
bunnybunnybun
starting to shine!
Discovering my cooking is like tumbling. Both result in inedible rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 42
|
Post by bunnybunnybun on Oct 5, 2016 15:05:15 GMT -5
I am also now testing out my theory on how to get rid of excess slurry from cleaning.
As some know from my last topic, I'm in an apartment with no yard to dig a hole in or place to dispose of it. and for obvious reasons the sink is out of the question. So... I'm boiling it! I got a large pot from a thrift store specifically for catching slurry and rinsing water. I now have it on the stove cooking at a low-mid temperature to evaporate the water out, then dump the contents that remains.
I checked in advance. The volatile temperature for Silicon Carbide is around 8000 degrees, so unless I have a REALLY good stove, it shouldn't run the risk of catching fire or exploding. Now the only question is whether or not the evaporated water will retain any residue of it in the air, and make my ceilings grey or something.
|
|
huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
|
Post by huskeric on Oct 5, 2016 15:35:58 GMT -5
I am also now testing out my theory on how to get rid of excess slurry from cleaning. As some know from my last topic, I'm in an apartment with no yard to dig a hole in or place to dispose of it. and for obvious reasons the sink is out of the question. So... I'm boiling it! I got a large pot from a thrift store specifically for catching slurry and rinsing water. I now have it on the stove cooking at a low-mid temperature to evaporate the water out, then dump the contents that remains. I checked in advance. The volatile temperature for Silicon Carbide is around 8000 degrees, so unless I have a REALLY good stove, it shouldn't run the risk of catching fire or exploding. Now the only question is whether or not the evaporated water will retain any residue of it in the air, and make my ceilings grey or something. I am doing something similar, I am putting it into a bucket, letting it evaporate, and then putting into the trash. I keep a dehumidifier running in my back room during the summer and this place is drier than heck during the winter, so it takes a little while. I have also put it in with used kitty litter (with three cats, I have more than my fair share) and done the same.
|
|
bunnybunnybun
starting to shine!
Discovering my cooking is like tumbling. Both result in inedible rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 42
|
Post by bunnybunnybun on Oct 5, 2016 20:52:00 GMT -5
Seems to be working. drained about 3 inches in 2 hours at medium temp. will do the rest tomorrow. Don't want to overtask the stove
|
|
bunnybunnybun
starting to shine!
Discovering my cooking is like tumbling. Both result in inedible rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 42
|
Post by bunnybunnybun on Oct 7, 2016 16:02:06 GMT -5
Worked flawlessly with the removal of slurry. I just have about 2mm of grey gunk on the bottom of the pot now. Only hard part is as I kept it on medium to avoid too much bubbling or risk, it took about 6 hours of cooking to evaporate it all. but it's a 5 gallon pot, and was over 3/4th full. The only hard part is to remember that I'm cooking it, so to check regularly. may have overcooked the pot a bit, oops. but no harm done.
|
|