Question on Reusing Slurry and My anticipated Process-Long
Jun 3, 2018 8:00:31 GMT -5
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Post by fernwood on Jun 3, 2018 8:00:31 GMT -5
If you saw my previous post, you know I am a “mad scientist” at work to perfect a cost effective and efficient formula for tumbling both rocks and cabs of various hardness.
I have labeled and set aside 5 pint canning jars for storing used slurry. Going about this in the way I was brought up. We always had a starter on the kitchen counter for Buckwheat Pancakes and a certain type of bread. Some of the starter was added each time an item was made. From each batter made the same amount of starter was put back in the jar. My Grandma said this ensured there was always enough starter and that it was good.
I have a duel, 3 lb. barrels rotary tumbler.
Rocks are not pre-shaped before going into course tumble. Cabs and some rough tumbled rocks go straight into step 2.
Here is my basic formula:
Stage 1 (rough rocks of about mohs 7) formula/times would be changed for mostly softer rocks:
Fill barrel with rocks to ½ full. Add about 1/3-1/2 cup Stage 1 aquarium gravel. Add 2 TBS Course grit. Add about 1 TBS Clay Kitty Litter.
I am thinking adding about 2-3 TBS of the saved slurry. Does this seem right?
Fill with enough water to just below rock level.
Check after 1 week. Remove some rocks and add others. Add saved slurry and aquarium gravel (if needed) to the mix.
Stage 1 aquarium gravel has not been tumbled previously
Stage 2 (rocks that have been through stage one and formed cabs):
Fill barrel to 2/3 full. Add about ¼-1/3 cup Stage 2 aquarium gravel. Add 1TBS Course and 1 TBS Medium grit.
Add 2-3 TBS saved slurry.
Check after 1 week. Remove and add as needed.
Add saved Stage 2 slurry and aquarium gravel (if needed) to the mix.
Total clean out. Save rocks/cabs not ready for Stage 3. Do a 2 hour Borax/water run for those that are ready, including the aquarium gravel. Check results under lighted magnifier, which is a requirement with my poor vision. Run longer if needed.
Stage 2 aquarium gravel has been previously tumbled in Stage 1.
Stage 3 (rocks/cabs that have completed stage 2:
Fill barrel to 2/3 full. Add 2 TBS Medium Grit. Add about ¼ cup Stage 3 aquarium gravel. Add about 2 TBS saved Stage 3 slurry. Add water.
Check after 1 week. Remove/add rocks/cabs as needed. Add Stage 3 slurry and aquarium gravel as needed.
When done, do a 2-3 hour Borax run of rocks/cabs/aquarium gravel. Check results. Run longer if needed.
Stage 4 (rocks/cabs that have completed Stage 3):
Fill barrel to 2/3 full. Add 1 TBS Pre-polish. Add 2 TBS stage 4 aquarium gravel. Add 2 TBS of plastic filler. This will be a combo of Perler beads, small tile spacers and plastic lapidary pellets. Eventually will add 1-2 TBS of saved Stage 4 Slurry, but do not have any yet. Add water.
Run on previous schedule.
Stage 5 (Rocks/cabs that have completed Stage 4)
Fill barrel to 2/3 full. Add 1 TBS Polish. Add 2 TBS Stage 5 aquarium gravel. Add 2 TBS plastic filler. Eventually add 1-2 TBS of saved Stage 5 slurry. Add water.
Run on previous schedule.
Stage 4 and 5 plastics will be saved for re-use as long as they can.
So, what is wrong with my logic?
My aquarium gravel should last a while, as I have two 5 gallon pails of it. Thinking this will help with the process. When I added the aquarium gravel after tumbling about 2 hours without it, noticed that the tumbler was not vibrating as much. It sounded much more stable.
As of now, I have 5 pint jars for saved slurry, 5 pint jars for saved aquarium gravel and 2 pint jars for saved plastics.
If anyone see something drastically wrong, please let me know.
Thank you.