naps
off to a rocking start
Newbie hobbyist tumbler
Member since December 2016
Posts: 3
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Post by naps on Dec 10, 2016 21:34:50 GMT -5
Hi, Not sure if anyone is around tonight, but I am doing my first rock tumble on a 3lb rotary tumbler. Now at the prepolish 500 grit stage. One set of directions says to add the polish, load it with plastic beads, and run dry. The other directions I have says to load up as stated, after you add water up to the bottom of the top layer. Can anyone advise me? Thanks, I also wanted to say that I've been looking for the answer here on the threads, but this is such a great sources of information that I keep getting distracted! Naps
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dottyt
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 305
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Post by dottyt on Dec 10, 2016 21:46:03 GMT -5
I think your basic rotary rock tumble is done with water (generally to the bottom of the top layer of rocks). I know there are dry tumbles, but this is for something more specialized like metal or maybe some very soft stone.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Dec 10, 2016 23:15:33 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum . I'm not sure if you are asking if you add water or when to add water . I'm not a rotary expert , just use rotary for stage 1 and the give the rocks a ride in the vibe for the rest of the stages . I would add the rocks , water to bottom of top layer of rock , add grit , and then add plastic pellets to bring the barrel up to 2/3 or slightly more full . Remember to use dedicated pellets for each stage . Also remember , I already warned you I'm not a rotary expert , this is just my opinion . I'm sure someone who uses rotarys through all the stages will be here to coach you sooner or later .
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Post by spiceman on Dec 10, 2016 23:30:21 GMT -5
Well, I am a tumbler with a 3lb barrel and I tumble mostly 7to8 MOH hardness rocks and I always use water for every stage. I never tried tumbling softer rocks yet but I read about doing it differently. Water helps.
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naps
off to a rocking start
Newbie hobbyist tumbler
Member since December 2016
Posts: 3
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Post by naps on Dec 11, 2016 15:41:47 GMT -5
Hi, Yes, I think I will stay with the harder rocks. The fluorite was looking good, and I made the beginner mistake of mixing stones, and scratched them up. I just put them into the second stage again, to see what happens. Have to find some corn cob media for the final stage for the fluorite. Then I'm going back to harder stones!! Thanks for responding, Naps
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