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Post by captbob on Oct 1, 2016 13:36:53 GMT -5
Can you hammer a chunk off or is it too round ? It's pretty well rounded, hate to take any off this shape. May save it for down the road. May just try it with pea gravel. Nothing to lose.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 1, 2016 14:03:25 GMT -5
Barrel turning 19 RPM large rock in pic is the 2 3/4 lb Have taken a bunch of pics, will post more later. 19 RPM is plenty. I suppose I am getting 12 hour grit breakdown due to 55 RPM. So what, assume 30 rpm will give a user friendly 24 hour breakdown. 24 hours is more on schedule . I like 2 3/4 pounds. More in line with 6.5 inch barrel. But who knows, the 5 pounder has double the weight. Could grind double fast. Worth a try.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 1, 2016 14:11:29 GMT -5
Bloodstone, dry. Just got put in the vibe with AO 80. Should be done in 3 days. Not a single fracture, pit, defect. Should be a real shiner.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 1, 2016 15:48:27 GMT -5
Zebra lace, only 12 hours
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 1, 2016 15:50:23 GMT -5
Wood after 12 hours. Too big to roll well but still wearing. Most of the pre grind marks are gone.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 1, 2016 15:53:43 GMT -5
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 1, 2016 15:58:47 GMT -5
Started rolling this kap conglomerate pre-ground. Before pre-grind other side after grinding
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Post by captbob on Oct 3, 2016 15:27:35 GMT -5
Two days on 30 grit Rio agate tumble and the grit was not nearly as used up as it was after 4 days. Added more 30 grit anyway as I was already there. Will go 3 or 4 days now before checking again. Slurry still not well developed. Progress on Rios not as noticeable this time, but the Botswana agates are coming along, so I know grinding is happening.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 3, 2016 15:54:46 GMT -5
Two days on 30 grit Rio agate tumble and the grit was not nearly as used up as it was after 4 days. Added more 30 grit anyway as I was already there. Will go 3 or 4 days now before checking again. Slurry still not well developed. Progress on Rios not as noticeable this time, but the Botswana agates are coming along, so I know grinding is happening. Sounds about right for 19 RPM. 3 days may be your grit cycle. I don't have the clay proportion figured on these small barrels yet. Either it bites in and breaks the grit in 12 at 55 rpm or it is too wet and grit still remains after a day. Learning. Running too wet yesterday. And not used to where the rock fill line works best for these shorties. On the learning curve. 19 is no problem. You can get good grinds with slow speeds.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 5, 2016 7:59:06 GMT -5
Checked big Zebra Lace after 2 days in vibe doing the AO80 w/sugar. Nice shine. No bruises. Will go to polish late today. It was in rotary exactly 3 days after pre-grind. Liking the big rock thing.
Unfortunately the conglomerate above under cut terribly. No surprise. Removed it from process. Going to need good hard rock with out soft spots for best results.
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Post by orrum on Oct 5, 2016 17:57:34 GMT -5
Hey Jim you need to check your mail!!! I have some great undercut tumbles where the undercut polishes too!
Repeat....The big web toed swamp loving rat named Jim needs to check his mail dag gum it!!!
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 6, 2016 4:23:15 GMT -5
Hey Jim you need to check your mail!!! I have some great undercut tumbles where the undercut polishes too! Repeat....The big web toed swamp loving rat named Jim needs to check his mail dag gum it!!! I found a SFRB in the mail yesterday eve. From a town named Orrum. Got to be only one Orrum in this big world. Where that nomad lives. Have yet to open. what could it be...it is not heavy, does not rattle, hmmm. What could it be Bill ? I left early yesterday to pick up 5000 pounds of steel in Alabama, got back late and had to unload trailer to get 4000 pounds from a freight dock in Austell GA today. So I am savoring this surprise for a reward when this nasty work is finished. Again, what could it be Bill ?
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 6, 2016 4:39:30 GMT -5
I do not like my small barrels for doing a big rock dang it. They hold about 6 pounds. Don't like the sound. Not a steady smooth rumble. The barrel that did the big crazy lace did a better grind. Same diameter, but twice as long. Looks like the smaller barrels are going to require smaller media. Guessing. The ends are closer together on the small barrels. Tumbling action at the ends is different than towards the center. No big deal. Just was looking forward to 1-2 inch tumbles as a by-product in the mix with a big rock. However, the small barrels flat out ground the heck out of tumbles 1 to 3 inches at 55 RPM. Mostly 2-3 inch stones. Perfect for a batch of larger tumbles. Running 2 of the 5 small barrels with said larger 2-3 inch tumbles. Both eating 30 grit every 12 hours. Rocks clearly show great wear. Barrels sound fine, good steady smooth rumble. Working me fast. Actually doing a clean out every 12 or 24 hours and adding grit AND fresh clay every time. Went to the clay pit and restocked about 50 pounds of clay. Adding 1 to 2 cups of clay every 12 or 24 hours each clean out. Slurry has been foaming after 24 hours, so the fresh clay. Not sure why the foam. Emphasis-'good steady smooth rumble'. When that sound occurs, it is guaranteed a good grind is on. Nothing magic. Been listening to these 6 inch PVC's for 4 years. With 5 barrels rolling I have to put my ear like 6" from each barrel to discriminate sound from adjacent barrels. Larger tumbles being these, the stainless pan is 12" X 22 " for reference:
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Post by orrum on Oct 6, 2016 6:20:20 GMT -5
No hints on the box. Not muchange in it except lots of packing material. LOL.
Steel is gonna go up so stock piling is good. How much does a big fire bowl with all the bells n whistles wiegh? I saw one at Sam's yesterday thst has a grill top and a swing around hook to hang a kettle and s swing around thing to set pots on to cook. It was pretty cool but I lifted one side easily. I wonder how long it will be before the heat warps everything and it rusts and burns thru?
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Post by orrum on Oct 6, 2016 6:37:04 GMT -5
Hey Jim my first batch of corals comes out of the Loto finished tomoro!!! I have two boytroidal pieces in it and they look like top grade fire agate with just a intense brown extremely attractive color that you can look deep down into!!! Has a little vuggy thing down one side, I hope I can get the thing cleaned with a toothbrush. If not I am gonna grind that side off and put it back in the Loto for another go round. I have had these corals in the 12 pound tumblers since I got back here in May, they are still not all ready. They r some hard stuff! Remember those white pieces with the deep black and white spotted streaked matrix or cortex I liked and you dug around to get me several tumbled and raw pieces? The lovely Susan has claimed them all for herself and family. She is watching this load getting rinsed out and reloaded every time so she can check her future pendants. They had a thing on TV about the huge popularity of black and white gemstone jewelry fo Xmas this year!
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Post by captbob on Oct 6, 2016 8:38:27 GMT -5
Hey Jim my first batch of corals comes out of the Loto finished tomoro!!! I have two boytroidal pieces in it and they look like top grade fire agate with ju... Hope you figure out how to post pictures by then!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just sayin'
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 6, 2016 9:08:05 GMT -5
Hey Jim my first batch of corals comes out of the Loto finished tomoro!!! I have two boytroidal pieces in it and they look like top grade fire agate with just a intense brown extremely attractive color that you can look deep down into!!! Has a little vuggy thing down one side, I hope I can get the thing cleaned with a toothbrush. If not I am gonna grind that side off and put it back in the Loto for another go round. I have had these corals in the 12 pound tumblers since I got back here in May, they are still not all ready. They r some hard stuff! Remember those white pieces with the deep black and white spotted streaked matrix or cortex I liked and you dug around to get me several tumbled and raw pieces? The lovely Susan has claimed them all for herself and family. She is watching this load getting rinsed out and reloaded every time so she can check her future pendants. They had a thing on TV about the huge popularity of black and white gemstone jewelry fo Xmas this year! This fast flowing creek has a lot of white and black coral Bill. Concentrated on the yellow and black. Was tossing the black and white. www.flickr.com/photos/67205364@N06/albums/72157653449343179
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 6, 2016 9:09:15 GMT -5
yes, especially at times like this PHOTOS please
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on Oct 6, 2016 9:41:18 GMT -5
Nice rolling James!!!!! I guess its about time to pull my tumblers out and get going on some goodies too..........
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Oct 6, 2016 10:10:46 GMT -5
Nice rolling James!!!!! I guess its about time to pull my tumblers out and get going on some goodies too.......... I knew you shut em down. I can hear them. Get those tumblers rollin ! Just because you have a big saw now does not mean it is time to stop tumbling.
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