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Post by captbob on Mar 7, 2017 20:51:11 GMT -5
I do. ALL the time. Reloaded / moved on four 15 lb barrels today. One was a 1000 run going to polish, but the other 3 were in various coarser grit stages. One barrel got 1/3 cup 46/70, 1/3 cup AO 60, and 1/3 cup 60/90. Another got 2/3 cup 60/90 and 2/3 cup AO 80. Don't recall what went in the third barrel (it's on my note cards) but think it was 1/2 cup 46/70 & half 60/90. Why? Why not..? I often add some of the next stage grit when I do a check but not a clean out. Like if I'm running 500 grit for awhile, I will recharge with Tripoli (700ish grit) or if it is 320 grit I will recharge with 500 rather than doing a clean out. Figure the grit has worn down and the recharge with the next step grit is still coarser than what has worn down. When doing a 1000 run, I almost always recharge with polish without doing a clean out. Then move on to polish only eventually. Doesn't seem to hurt anything and it keeps me amused during an otherwise boring months long tumbling run. Just curious if anyone else mixes things up or are ya'll purists - one grit only at a time?
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 7, 2017 23:45:45 GMT -5
Man, I thought we were getting ready to talk cheese, garlic, maybe some shrimp. Love me some grits. Don't use rotary for anything but 46/70. That would seem the place to try mixing. The vibe breaks it down to the next size so quick anyway. I remember seeing someone else on here adding polish to the pre polish stage. Maybe it does get a head start on the next step, can't see it hurting to try it.
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Post by orrum on Mar 8, 2017 7:49:48 GMT -5
I mix grits in the vibe. I put 220 SIC at 2 tablespoons along with a half teaspoon 500 SIC and half a teaspoon borax. Then next stage is half a teaspoon 500 SIC with a quarter teaspoon of 1000 AO and a tablespoon of borax. The next is half a teaspoon of 1000 AO and a quarter teaspoon of AO final polish with a tablespoon of borax. Then a half teaspoon of AO final polish and a tablespoon of borax. My theory is the mix keeps the the coarser grit scratches smoothed out so they get ground out easier on the next stage. That is also why I stopped using 120/220 as the first Loto stage. I think the deeper scratches by the 120 are difficult to smooth out.
It's breakfast and coffe time here so I too looked at this thread thinking southern stone ground grits with lots of butter and black pepper plus a slab of fried smoked country ham!!!
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Post by Jugglerguy on Mar 8, 2017 9:51:55 GMT -5
I switched from 80 grit to 46/70 grit a year or two ago. I've been mixing the 80 with the 46/70 just to use it up. I don't know that there's any advantage or disadvantage. I haven't noticed a difference. I don't mix grits in the other stages in my Lot-O. My rocks almost always come out shiny, so I don't see a reason to change what I'm doing.
I have a lot to learn about rotary tumbling, so this is an interesting topic.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,165
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Post by jamesp on Mar 8, 2017 11:06:58 GMT -5
captbobCurious the reasoning of mixing SiC coarse grits with AO 60/80 ? That disturbs my karma. Mixing a cutting abrasive with a polishing abrasive seems like mixing coffee and beer. experiment ?
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Post by captbob on Mar 8, 2017 11:54:35 GMT -5
Curious the reasoning of mixing SiC coarse grits with AO 60/80 ? That disturbs my karma. Mixing a cutting abrasive with a polishing abrasive seems like mixing coffee and beer. experiment ? Three reasons come to mind - 1. Figure more than one thing can be happening in the barrel at the same time. Kinda like when you do laundry and add soap and bleach. Stuff is being cleaned and whitened. Don't know if that Dual Action works in the tumbling world. 2. Would be experimentation I guess. Maybe with SiC and AO, the rocks are still being ground and the AO is laying down a polish base. Maybe the SiC is removing any AO benefit at the same time? Will be interesting to see what happens. 3. I'm getting bored with tumbling. Back to the "Why not?". Trying to keep myself amused/interested until my summer shut down time. Just finished up two barrels from polish, don't know that I'm going to start anything new in them. My lapidary desire at this time is to make spheres. Would love to get a couple sphere machines and get going on that, but can't figure out where to put them. I need a bigger shop! Think I'll go rake the yard... ETA: It's a shame that I have absolutely no desire to make cabs. I have all the equipment and figure that as anal as I am that I would be good at it. The idea of cab making just does not inspire me. What the heck would I do with them?? Bad enough having tumbled rocks all over the place!
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Post by captbob on Mar 8, 2017 12:04:34 GMT -5
Oh BWT jamesp ... Found a huge hoard of Withlacoochee (type) coral yesterday. The hollow specimen kind. About 5 minutes from my house. Went and spent an hour looking it over yesterday afternoon. No way I have the room to take it all. Going back Saturday to cherry pick my first truck load of it. Wife unit is gonna kill me ... that alone makes it worthwhile!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,165
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Post by jamesp on Mar 8, 2017 12:05:47 GMT -5
Would you have a large sphere machine ? That would be the ultimate lapidary endeavor. Like 6 inch spheres. You have a 24 inch saw to cut the chunks. No gem like a big sphere.
As feisty as you are I could see you getting out in the backyard and making one of those humongo spheres. Like the kingofrock is doing. Nice Florida sunshine and warm weather. Open area workout.
And congrats on the Withlacoochee find. Lots of old collections in back yard Florida. Some of the early finds are top notch. 20 years ago the Withlacoochee was crystal clear with a white sand bottom. Fertilizer from Valdosta changed all that. those guys were able to find the best.
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Post by captbob on Mar 8, 2017 12:17:37 GMT -5
Yes, large spheres. I don't consider spheres less than 4" worth having. Not saying that there aren't very nice smaller spheres, I have a few smaller ones myself that I couldn't pass up when I saw them, just not what I am interested in making or owning. Not many rock things impress me as much as high quality large spheres. ETA: Have you seen prices on quality large spheres? Having the means and ability to produce such could be profitable. ... as if I would sell something!
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 8, 2017 12:29:24 GMT -5
I mix it up a bit too.......Some barrels I will roll for a month on one grit stag,while the others are getting changed out after two weeks.... Thank God for pencils and notebooks!
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Post by MrP on Mar 8, 2017 13:17:44 GMT -5
Curious the reasoning of mixing SiC coarse grits with AO 60/80 ? That disturbs my karma. Mixing a cutting abrasive with a polishing abrasive seems like mixing coffee and beer. experiment ? Three reasons come to mind - 1. Figure more than one thing can be happening in the barrel at the same time. Kinda like when you do laundry and add soap and bleach. Stuff is being cleaned and whitened. Don't know if that Dual Action works in the tumbling world. 2. Would be experimentation I guess. Maybe with SiC and AO, the rocks are still being ground and the AO is laying down a polish base. Maybe the SiC is removing any AO benefit at the same time? Will be interesting to see what happens. 3. I'm getting bored with tumbling. Back to the "Why not?". Trying to keep myself amused/interested until my summer shut down time. Just finished up two barrels from polish, don't know that I'm going to start anything new in them. My lapidary desire at this time is to make spheres. Would love to get a couple sphere machines and get going on that, but can't figure out where to put them. I need a bigger shop! Think I'll go rake the yard... ETA: It's a shame that I have absolutely no desire to make cabs. I have all the equipment and figure that as anal as I am that I would be good at it. The idea of cab making just does not inspire me. What the heck would I do with them?? Bad enough having tumbled rocks all over the place! captbob And I am getting excited for my summer START-UP time.........................................MrP
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Post by captbob on Mar 8, 2017 13:33:59 GMT -5
LOL It gets hot here MrP and even hotter in the garage where most of my tumblers are. As hot as these tumbler motors run normally, maybe the heat in the garage wouldn't bother them, but my heat excuse gives me 3 months away from rock tumbling and hopefully gives me a break after which I can return to my tumblers more inspired/enthused. Having had four, and now six, 15 lb tumblers running becomes a chore (to me) after several months. I enjoy the finished product, but become bored with the routine. I bought a UV 10 vibe a year or two back and refuse to use it as I don't want to "babysit" rocks. Maybe someday I'll get around to the vibe, guess it won't go bad just siting on a shelf gathering dust. My true love with rocks is display specimens. Think the reason I moved to collecting rough rock several years ago was that I was running out of room for display pieces. Rough I can just store in milk crates and 55 gal barrels, in the garage or yard. Bringing another display case into the house here may result in my needing to find alternative living arrangements!
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,165
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Post by jamesp on Mar 8, 2017 14:01:47 GMT -5
Yes, large spheres. I don't consider spheres less than 4" worth having. Not saying that there aren't very nice smaller spheres, I have a few smaller ones myself that I couldn't pass up when I saw them, just not what I am interested in making or owning. Not many rock things impress me as much as high quality large spheres. ETA: Have you seen prices on quality large spheres? Having the means and ability to produce such could be profitable. ... as if I would sell something! That kingrock sphere is totally inspirational. Bet it is a work out. Prices on a 12 inch er is way out there. Wish there was a passive machine that would make such.
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Post by melhill1659 on Mar 20, 2017 22:17:35 GMT -5
captbobCurious the reasoning of mixing SiC coarse grits with AO 60/80 ? That disturbs my karma. Mixing a cutting abrasive with a polishing abrasive seems like mixing coffee and beer. experiment ? Hey, hey, hey Don't knock it... I've gone from coffee to beer before 😂
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 21, 2017 1:05:13 GMT -5
Yeah, by virtue of recharging you would be mixing your grits since the breakdown of SiC reduces the size. And it's worthwhile to keep recharging with coarse and still have your rocks come out shiny at intermediate stages: it's easier to see where it is at and the potential.
I've also mixed fine SiC with 10,000 diamond, with CeO at polishing.
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Wooferhound
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Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,424
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Post by Wooferhound on Mar 21, 2017 7:40:25 GMT -5
I add cleanout Recovered Grit everytime I restart stage 1. This recovered grit is everything from small pebbles all the way to polish sized particles. But Stage 1 doesn't care much about what you add into it. The rocks coming out of my stage one grinding actually are already fairly smooth.
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,424
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Post by Wooferhound on Mar 22, 2017 17:05:37 GMT -5
I have some Polish that I think may be contaminated, but I'm not opposed to using it and the beads to help get a stage 3 tumble started with 600 grit.
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Post by Pat on Mar 22, 2017 17:58:03 GMT -5
They could use a like salt and pepper. Butter wouldn't hurt either. Lol
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Post by spiceman on Mar 22, 2017 20:30:20 GMT -5
The only mixing of grit I do is the used grit from stage one is mixed with the stage 2 grit 1: 1 And works for me. Just easier when I do stage 3. Not much to add but it works.
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