wizzykin
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2017
Posts: 22
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Post by wizzykin on May 11, 2017 20:40:59 GMT -5
Got the new two barrel tumbler today - 2 x 3 pound barrels. My question -> what, exactly, does the 3 pounds refer to? I filled it up with a load of rocks (around 2/3) and it's weighing a little under 2 pounds; Is it the max load the barrel can carry, or what?
And when I'm measuring grit, do I go by how full the barrel is, or do I weigh the rocks? I've got 1 lb 11 oz of rock weight (I zero'd out the container's weight).
So how do I determine how much grit to go for here? (I'm doing stage 1, if it matters).
The instructions say 4 tablespoons of grit straight up for the barrels, but I've seen people say 1 tblspoon per pound of rock! Or perhaps I just need to worry about the barrel size itself and how full it is as opposed to how much weight is in it?
So I'm at a bit of a loss here. I don't have a ton of grit, so I don't want to waste it. I'm still in the figuring out all the nuances stage!
Thanks!
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Post by wigglinrocks on May 11, 2017 20:58:13 GMT -5
In the 3 pounders , I load 2/3 or so with rock and use 2 or a touch over tablespoons of coarse grit .
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on May 11, 2017 21:20:28 GMT -5
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wizzykin
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2017
Posts: 22
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Post by wizzykin on May 11, 2017 21:37:33 GMT -5
Thanks. Unfortunately, it doesn't lessen my conundrum.. She uses the same chart my tumbler comes with which says 4 tbsp per 3 lb barrel. But the person above you said they use 2 (or a little over) tbsp. That's a pretty big difference - I'll use the grit twice as fast using the guide's amount. So unfortunately, it still leaves me with all my questions as to how people are measuring and weather the grit amount it based on actual rock weight, or volume taken up inside the barrel.
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notjustone
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2017
Posts: 426
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Post by notjustone on May 11, 2017 22:14:07 GMT -5
weight in barrel will vary depending on size of rough large chunks will weigh less than smalls as there will be large spaces between the stones. best tumbling is a mix of large and smalls. just fill a good mix of sizes to 3/4 full add water to level of rocks. most tumblers sell grit refill packs and usually recommend more than what is needed.
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Post by spiceman on May 11, 2017 22:18:04 GMT -5
First of all the volume is important, I don't even weigh my barrel. The amount of grit, is trial and error. Start at 3tbs let it run for 7 to 10 days and just look at the rocks. You will see if it needs to run longer. If it does do a clean out or recharge. The hardness of the rocks, shape are all part of the equation.
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Post by coloradocliff on May 12, 2017 0:54:20 GMT -5
Good response Spice..( Anything on that flint ridge flint yet ? No rush just curious) Also.. Wizzy.. Get serious if you can afford it and buy some larger quantities of grit. Skip the fast food, movies, the other personal expenses. You are an RTH member now. Rocks are all that matters and all your friends on here who live and breath the rocks. Buy pounds of grit. Not one or two but 10-20 pounds of each. Don't make a small issue like chintzing on grit slow you down or influence your progress or methods. Its a lot cheaper in a bit larger quantities. Check out the Rockshed. You just need to run some batches and get the hang of it. A little experience will make your questions of today unimportant in a couple months and a few loads. Go out and walk some riverbanks, find some agates or rock that look like agates, quartz or jaspers. Break them to tumble size. Add some smaller gravels to make up tumbler volume and just practice. Practice on cheap or free stuff but buy some grit.
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cabjunky
has rocks in the head
Regency Rose Plume
Member since November 2008
Posts: 683
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Post by cabjunky on May 12, 2017 6:14:56 GMT -5
Most of the charts are on the heavy side with both grit and polish. 2-3 tablespoons is plenty for your course grit in that size barrel. Everyone comes up with their own variations on tumbling. What it means is that it isn't an exact science, but a method that can to be tweeked as you progress, and with each type of tumbled material. Ask questions, and start rolling. Its a fun journey.
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ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
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Post by ChicagoDave on May 12, 2017 8:09:03 GMT -5
This is not an exact science. Pick an amount of grit (using the chart I included or some other suggestion). It doesn't matter how much, just note how much you used. Tumble for one week. Open barrel. If there is a bunch of grit not broken down you used too much. If there is absolutely no grit leftover you probably didn't use enough. I always have a very small amount leftover. Make your adjustments and tumble for another week. Rinse. Repeat.
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wizzykin
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2017
Posts: 22
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Post by wizzykin on May 12, 2017 13:11:00 GMT -5
Thanks - we're doing a load of Brazilian Agates right now (we've got one coarse done so far - going to start the second). I wish I could remember what the slurry looked like when I opened it. It was a paint like mixture, kind of watery but kind of thick. I didn't really pay attention to whether there was grit texture left.
I'll go for 2 1/2 tbsp and see how it goes!
I'll look into bigger bags of grit, too. I just bought a pack off the RockShed place. I think they were 1 lb bags for now.
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