|
Post by beefjello on Mar 7, 2017 22:03:37 GMT -5
LOL Life is toxic. Gotta die of sumtin'! If it is borax that takes me out I must be living a boring life in a bubble. I put borax on my sammiches... kills the glutens - whatever those are - my wife won't eat 'em, so they must be bad! Tell you what Bob, if borax takes you out I'll personally arrange a 20 mule team funeral procession
|
|
|
Post by spiceman on Mar 7, 2017 22:28:14 GMT -5
The box says it toxic. Is that good or bad...let me know if it is. Until than I wear gloves maybe $.08 per par.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,275
|
Post by jamesp on Mar 8, 2017 6:19:26 GMT -5
I don't suggest it. It may foam and cause gas. Leading to higher pressure and make your lid blow or leak. That's just me. And I do not like foam in my rotary. In any form. I have slightly different viewpoints on borax usage. I don't use it anymore in a vibe or rotary. Not because it doesn't work, but because I prefer soap now. In a rotary, it made a noticeable difference as a post-polish burnishing agent, helping to remove residue. In a vibe, borax or soap make clean-outs easier, preventing some of the mud/slurry from adhering to the tumbles. And like Jim mentioned, it helps retard slurry viscosity which can slow or halt movement entirely. Good point. Borax can mess up some rocks if allowed to get too dry in the vibe. Not sure about a rotary, never done that. Used to use sugar(w/abrasives) in the vibe since it will dissolve and not leave white spots in cavities of rocks. However, since running Borax(w/abrasives) much wetter in the vibe it never gets caught in the voids. And I do burnish with Dawn. To remove the 'dishwasher spots' that Borax leaves on my rocks. Said spots may be my hard water mixed w/Borax, not sure. Anxious to replace Borax with soap as an abrasive carrier. Borax and polish has put some fine final polishes down. Stubborn to change. The AO 80 run in the video was a bit pastier than normal at the end. No water was added for the 2 day run. So the run started quite wet, but usually wetter.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,275
|
Post by jamesp on Mar 8, 2017 6:27:01 GMT -5
This one after two days in the vibe, AO 80 and Borax. Running with media smalls only. Moved to polish today. ![](https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2891/33178632641_a545b6d0f0.jpg) You're a lucky man,or a ninja, Jam Español. In this picture we clearly see a man attacking you with a swashbuckler. Prey tell how you persevered. A ghost from a past life Colin. So far nothing but threats. Always hangs out when taking pictures, only visible in reflections.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,275
|
Post by jamesp on Mar 8, 2017 6:39:51 GMT -5
spiceman captbobPerhaps our loved ones are washing our clothes in said poisonous Borax with evil intentions. Eating it Bob ? To each his own, judging from the effect it has on plants I would think twice. Bowel syndrome ? Rheumatism ? Hostility ? Green eyes ?
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,275
|
Post by jamesp on Mar 8, 2017 7:05:25 GMT -5
That 1.5 lb rock is very nice. There is certainly a lot going on, jasper, moss, swirls, maybe a few tiny plumes. Love to see that when you're finished and zoom in to see the detail. That river rock does make for great tumbles, as you say most of the soft spots have worn away over the ages. Just cut a couple of Big Bend Vein Agates and they do contain zones of softer, more porous material which need to be cut away for any good solid material. H The Rio material is hard no doubt. Still hard to find stone that size that has no voids or fractures. The other larger half of that one was hammered on the sawn face into smaller tumbles. Chipped off like glass, smooth and conchoidal. Stomped around Big Bend park, only to be teased by all the agates the govt' would not allow you to pick up. Even got stopped by a Brewster County sheriff only to be warned NOT to pick up any rocks. All those agate rich peaks similar to the Woodward ranch and no collecting allowed, sinister and hurtful. Drove into Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area, passing a ranger station full of rangers. Across from Woodward Ranch. Got out and hiked past a dozen fine arrowheads made of finest of agates. NO NO, do not collect. Torture ![](http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/wma/images/elephant_mountain_wma_road_map.gif)
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,275
|
Post by jamesp on Mar 8, 2017 7:44:54 GMT -5
I have 3 more big rocks ready for the vibe captbob. Rolling one per 7 pound barrel in coarse runs. I have a 30 RPM shaft that holds 3 barrels, and a 55 RPM shaft that holds 4 barrels(all 7 pound capacity). I am considering changing the 55 RPM shafts to 20 RPM for rolling the big rocks. Way to fast and abusive at 55 RPM for 1-2 pound rocks. Grind and grit breakdown using 1-2 pound rock with 1-2 inch rocks at slow RPM faster than a barrel full of only 1-2 inch rocks at 55 RPM. As far as finishing, I could run all three together in the Vibrasonic if I had a piece of real stiff rubber wedged it the hopper. Hopper width is 6 inches at widest point. So the rubber has to be darn stiff to wedge in the hopper at 6 inches long. I might be able to cut a polyethylene Walmart butcher block really close to fit the inside contour of the hopper and wedge it in there. The polyurethane hopper liner is so tough it allows running the coarsest of grit without wear. It is also soft, and gives in about like tire rubber. May allow a wedged in piece of stiff plastic like butcher block or hard nylon.
|
|
|
Post by HankRocks on Mar 8, 2017 8:39:29 GMT -5
Good News/Bad News on the Big Bend Area. Lots of agate and not much access. That does result in a lot of good material still in place. I used to collect a lot on the River around Lajitas/Terlingua/Needle Peak. The area around Lajitas Peak, especially the east side was fun and we were beginning to figure out where the good material was when the owner of the Lajitas development sold 4 acres to the Big Bend Ranch State park to control access to the east gate. The Park itself took a lot of the collect area out of the game, over 300,000 acres. That was some of the most remote, hard to get to area in the country. I know where there are several large veins of red moss/brown moss/agate/jasper exposed. I carried back several 15 to 20 pound pieces myself. It set about 200 yards off of the river road west of Lajitas. Now it's all Big Bend State Park land.
H
|
|
|
Post by HankRocks on Mar 8, 2017 8:55:01 GMT -5
orrection not 4 acres, 4 sections.
|
|
notjustone
spending too much on rocks
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_teal.png)
Member since January 2017
Posts: 426
|
Post by notjustone on Mar 8, 2017 9:16:52 GMT -5
I have 3 more big rocks ready for the vibe captbob . Rolling one per 7 pound barrel in coarse runs. I have a 30 RPM shaft that holds 3 barrels, and a 55 RPM shaft that holds 4 barrels(all 7 pound capacity). I am considering changing the 55 RPM shafts to 20 RPM for rolling the big rocks. Way to fast and abusive at 55 RPM for 1-2 pound rocks. Grind and grit breakdown using 1-2 pound rock with 1-2 inch rocks at slow RPM faster than a barrel full of only 1-2 inch rocks at 55 RPM. As far as finishing, I could run all three together in the Vibrasonic if I had a piece of real stiff rubber wedged it the hopper. Hopper width is 6 inches at widest point. So the rubber has to be darn stiff to wedge in the hopper at 6 inches long. I might be able to cut a polyethylene Walmart butcher block really close to fit the inside contour of the hopper and wedge it in there. The polyurethane hopper liner is so tough it allows running the coarsest of grit without wear. It is also soft, and gives in about like tire rubber. May allow a wedged in piece of stiff plastic like butcher block or hard nylon. james 6 inches wide how deep is it?
|
|
|
Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 8, 2017 13:05:59 GMT -5
Aren't you the cat's meow. A vibe. Where'd that come from ? Those dang rock rich garage sales you guys have out there ? Purdy rocks Jean. I see 13 alien eggs. you may get a nasty angry alien Mom visit you. Well shaped stones, someone has patience. ![](https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3741/33286474615_d1e1f338f8_z.jpg) Meow, meow! Those are only shiny 'cause they are wet, they'll be real purdy once they get the polish. Will see what they look like tomorrow afternoon.
Bob bought that for me at the PowWow in Quartzsite five or better years ago! So much for the one year warranty on it, lol. I never even took it out of the box until last year. After the previous batch of tumbles (including Lavic) had been in the rotary, eating lbs and lbs of 30 grit for months, I used it for 600 and final polish on them. James, I know you've heard of it before, guess you weren't paying attention?
The ones in the pic were started January 21 of this year, as soon as the other ones were done. So not a long time. I don't think anybody can call me patient. Still have not picked up any more 30 grit. Gotta see where finances stand after doctor bills. Got a spare $40 in my wallet...
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,275
|
Post by jamesp on Mar 8, 2017 13:58:00 GMT -5
I know you have an elderly Murray rotary. The old ones are well built. I believe all Murray's are older.
Think you mentioned a Gy Roc along the way, CRS sets in at times. Brand new ! Let's break that sucker in again. Glad to see you tumbling some hard rocks. My Lavic was 50/50, totally beautiful rock but not so dense for tumbling. I'd rather have a solid mediocre colored rock that is hard as a brick bat than a finicky-to -tumble rock any day.
Those wind blown rocks you find at Orson Wells always take a dead polish. Nice nuggets for the tumbler, alien eggs, Texas tea. Jan 21 = 7 + 28 + 7 = 41 days. They look well rounded for 41 days(math). You had to add grit 2-3 days, tell me that, they look far along. Yes wet, not polished yet. May the Gy Roc get em done. What is the Gy Roc schedule ?
|
|
|
Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 8, 2017 14:21:07 GMT -5
jamesp Yes, an elderly Scott/Murray from mohs, frame and motor assembly for Lortone QT66 from swapmeet for $3, and the 12 lb barrel from you. Was running them both at the same time. Yes, you have been known to have CRS, worse at times. I will refrain from speaking of the Lavic... Hard through and through and fracture free. Colorful is nice, too. Yes, I did grit additions every three days or so. At least, until I ran out of the 30, then added 80 every few days for a few more weeks, then let run for another week to break it down to fine. Gy-roc schedule - Started with about 25 - 30 lbs of rock from the tumblers, culled it into about half. 15 lbs of rocks does not fit in a 10 lb vibe, so had to split it up even more. Filled Gy-roc to within 1" of rim, as the instructions say. Put on low speed, and did a wash cycle with powdered detergent for 3 hours. THEN, had to change to belt for high speed, added 1 rounded tablespoon of 600. Instructions said to run for 2 - 3 days. Three days would be 5PM tomorrow. The you move the belt again (PIA!!) back to slow speed for the polish. I am going to use the Cerium Oxide again, because I already have it, and it did a bang up job on the last (first!) batch. Now, the monkeywrench comes in, that I want to finish the rest of the almost complete batch now, not wait for more to go through the rotaries. Before changing the belt to the smaller pulley, I will run the rest in 600 at high speed. So after tomorrow, another three days of 600. Following that, move the belt to low speed, and do the polish on 'em. Long story short, maybe another week.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,275
|
Post by jamesp on Mar 8, 2017 14:57:30 GMT -5
Never used CO, hear great things about it. Hey, if it worked on last batch (I had seen it, very shiny, remembered), do it again.
Going to google Gy Roc and study the 2 speed system, intriguing (to me). Give that machine a go on slow speed for 600 and polish. Can't see it changing much. Vibes being so fast at zapping grit down. Slow is usually better. Belt change must be PIA if you are complaining(accomplished mechanic).
Should always fill a vibe to specs. They are designed for certain load/fill. 1 inch below, cool.
CRS, due to high brain traffic. crap in crap out. Please be tolerant.
600 SiC or 600 alum ox ? I hate SiC for any finish work. But whatever it is; it worked for you last time, me should shut up.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,275
|
Post by jamesp on Mar 8, 2017 17:12:26 GMT -5
I have 3 more big rocks ready for the vibe captbob . Rolling one per 7 pound barrel in coarse runs. I have a 30 RPM shaft that holds 3 barrels, and a 55 RPM shaft that holds 4 barrels(all 7 pound capacity). I am considering changing the 55 RPM shafts to 20 RPM for rolling the big rocks. Way to fast and abusive at 55 RPM for 1-2 pound rocks. Grind and grit breakdown using 1-2 pound rock with 1-2 inch rocks at slow RPM faster than a barrel full of only 1-2 inch rocks at 55 RPM. As far as finishing, I could run all three together in the Vibrasonic if I had a piece of real stiff rubber wedged it the hopper. Hopper width is 6 inches at widest point. So the rubber has to be darn stiff to wedge in the hopper at 6 inches long. I might be able to cut a polyethylene Walmart butcher block really close to fit the inside contour of the hopper and wedge it in there. The polyurethane hopper liner is so tough it allows running the coarsest of grit without wear. It is also soft, and gives in about like tire rubber. May allow a wedged in piece of stiff plastic like butcher block or hard nylon. james 6 inches wide how deep is it? Basically a 6 inch cylinder with a 3 inch opening on the top. I secured some 1/8 inch PVC sheet out of the bone yard. Gonna give it a try. It is flexible enough to be bowed and wedged in to stay. I'll do photos. Thanks
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,275
|
Post by jamesp on Mar 8, 2017 17:21:34 GMT -5
Good News/Bad News on the Big Bend Area. Lots of agate and not much access. That does result in a lot of good material still in place. I used to collect a lot on the River around Lajitas/Terlingua/Needle Peak. The area around Lajitas Peak, especially the east side was fun and we were beginning to figure out where the good material was when the owner of the Lajitas development sold 4 acres to the Big Bend Ranch State park to control access to the east gate. The Park itself took a lot of the collect area out of the game, over 300,000 acres. That was some of the most remote, hard to get to area in the country. I know where there are several large veins of red moss/brown moss/agate/jasper exposed. I carried back several 15 to 20 pound pieces myself. It set about 200 yards off of the river road west of Lajitas. Now it's all Big Bend State Park land. H That is some unoccupied land for sure Henry. high and dry and not a good place to be lost. Ocala National Forest is 300,000 acres. That is a lot of dirt. 300,000 acres of agate rich land is plain painful. I drove the river road heading west Lajitas. Cool route. The least they can do is open a few hundred acres a year to rock collecting every year-no digging-no hammering.
|
|
|
Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 8, 2017 18:08:11 GMT -5
Should always fill a vibe to specs. They are designed for certain load/fill. 1 inch below, cool. CRS, due to high brain traffic. crap in crap out. Please be tolerant. 600 SiC or 600 alum ox ? I hate SiC for any finish work. But whatever it is; it worked for you last time, me should shut up. CO worked good last time, will use it again. SIC, not AO. Must always read the manual, or as they call it, suggestions. Just guidelines, nothing set in stone, ha! ![](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/573/32487260314_57488edbcf_c.jpg) Will do what they say before trying stuff. Like a food recipe, you always have to make it exact the first time.
|
|
|
Post by wigglinrocks on Mar 8, 2017 18:18:01 GMT -5
Never used CO, hear great things about it. Hey, if it worked on last batch (I had seen it, very shiny, remembered), do it again. Going to google Gy Roc and study the 2 speed system, intriguing (to me). Give that machine a go on slow speed for 600 and polish. Can't see it changing much. Vibes being so fast at zapping grit down. Slow is usually better. Belt change must be PIA if you are complaining(accomplished mechanic). Should always fill a vibe to specs. They are designed for certain load/fill. 1 inch below, cool. CRS, due to high brain traffic. crap in crap out. Please be tolerant. 600 SiC or 600 alum ox ? I hate SiC for any finish work. But whatever it is; it worked for you last time, me should shut up. Changing speeds on the Gy Roc is easy , has a 2 step pulley , pop the belt off one groove and put it in the other . Always have 2 o-ring belts , one for each speed because the high speed setting stretches the belt which makes it loose for low speed . I use low speed for most runs .
|
|
|
Post by spiceman on Mar 8, 2017 19:54:44 GMT -5
Never used CO, hear great things about it. Hey, if it worked on last batch (I had seen it, very shiny, remembered), do it again. Going to google Gy Roc and study the 2 speed system, intriguing (to me). Give that machine a go on slow speed for 600 and polish. Can't see it changing much. Vibes being so fast at zapping grit down. Slow is usually better. Belt change must be PIA if you are complaining(accomplished mechanic). Should always fill a vibe to specs. They are designed for certain load/fill. 1 inch below, cool. CRS, due to high brain traffic. crap in crap out. Please be tolerant. 600 SiC or 600 alum ox ? I hate SiC for any finish work. But whatever it is; it worked for you last time, me should shut up. Changing speeds on the Gy Roc is easy , has a 2 step pulley , pop the belt off one groove and put it in the other . Always have 2 o-ring belts , one for each speed because the high speed setting stretches the belt which makes it loose for low speed . I use low speed for most runs . Ok, I will ask. What is the rpm of the low speed?
|
|
|
Post by wigglinrocks on Mar 8, 2017 20:09:01 GMT -5
Changing speeds on the Gy Roc is easy , has a 2 step pulley , pop the belt off one groove and put it in the other . Always have 2 o-ring belts , one for each speed because the high speed setting stretches the belt which makes it loose for low speed . I use low speed for most runs . Ok, I will ask. What is the rpm of the low speed? This is a vibe , not a rotary . The motor is 1550 rpm with a 2 step pulley
|
|