p40whk
starting to shine!
Member since October 2018
Posts: 45
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Post by p40whk on Oct 17, 2018 16:55:41 GMT -5
This is my first batch that I'm attempting to tumble and don't want to ruin what I've got. I just received my order from Rock Shed and I was a bit caught off guard as to what I got. I was expecting most of my rocks to be of similar size but that definitely is not the case.
I have quite a few pieces that are fist size or slightly bigger and a bunch that are golf ball size and smaller. Can I mix all of these in the same batch as long as the hardness is about the same?
Forgot to mention, I'm using a Thumbler Model B
What I would be mixing is below:
2 Lb Prairie Agate (1 large Fist size and 1 medium palm size stones) 2 Lb Green Red Jasper (2 large fist size stones) 2 Lbs SD Petrifed Wood (2 medium palm size stones) 2 Lbs Sodalite (all of these are about the size of a golf ball or smaller) (this is the softest stuff I have and I was going to pull it out first after checking it) 1 Lb Bahia Agate (all of these are about the size of a golf ball or smaller)
Plus I have some local agate that ranges in size from fingernail size up to palm size.
Thanks
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Post by TheRock on Oct 17, 2018 17:56:56 GMT -5
This is my first batch that I'm attempting to tumble and don't want to ruin what I've got. I just received my order from Rock Shed and I was a bit caught off guard as to what I got. I was expecting most of my rocks to be of similar size but that definitely is not the case.
I have quite a few pieces that are fist size or slightly bigger and a bunch that are golf ball size and smaller. Can I mix all of these in the same batch as long as the hardness is about the same?
Forgot to mention, I'm using a Thumbler Model B
What I would be mixing is below:
2 Lb Prairie Agate (1 large Fist size and 1 medium palm size stones) 2 Lb Green Red Jasper (2 large fist size stones) 2 Lbs SD Petrifed Wood (2 medium palm size stones) 2 Lbs Sodalite (all of these are about the size of a golf ball or smaller) (this is the softest stuff I have and I was going to pull it out first after checking it) 1 Lb Bahia Agate (all of these are about the size of a golf ball or smaller)
Plus I have some local agate that ranges in size from fingernail size up to palm size.
Thanks
You asked for opinions so here goes. If I were you on my first tumble I would stay with the same Mohs hardness material. I would also go golfball size and a lil smaller. I would not go no more than (1) fist size stone in the thumbler B. I Start wit 30 Grit I know your using 80 thats okay just ck and recharge weekly. I'm a Kitty Litter guy I used 6 Table spoons in a Thumbler with 8 lbs of rock a inch of water over the rock gets me about 2 inches from the top. I Usually use Crushed Stone that Shaun sells the larger pieces he has is normally used for sawing/Cabing. Good luck ~Duke
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p40whk
starting to shine!
Member since October 2018
Posts: 45
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Post by p40whk on Oct 17, 2018 18:46:11 GMT -5
You asked for opinions so here goes. If I were you on my first tumble I would stay with the same Mohs hardness material. I would also go golfball size and a lil smaller. I would not go no more than (1) fist size stone in the thumbler B. I Start wit 30 Grit I know your using 80 thats okay just ck and recharge weekly. I'm a Kitty Litter guy I used 6 Table spoons in a Thumbler with 8 lbs of rock a inch of water over the rock gets me about 2 inches from the top. I Usually use Crushed Stone that Shaun sells the larger pieces he has is normally used for sawing/Cabing. Good luck ~Duke I left the biggest rocks out but put in about 4 rocks that were about palm size. the rest are about golf ball size or smaller with a few a bit bigger than a golf ball. It filled the tumbler 2/3 full and I put a pound of 80 grit in then covered them just to the top of the rocks with water. Do you use the kitty litter with all stages? I'm assuming it's to take up space and cushion the rocks kind of like a thick paste?
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Post by TheRock on Oct 17, 2018 19:08:45 GMT -5
No I do only the 30 and 80 grit stages w/ Kitty Litter. I believe that it helps the slurry thicken and keeps the grit in suspension just long enough till it thickens itself in a week or so. After a week open it up and put the slurry between your fingers, if you feel no grit, its time to add Grit. If the Slurry gets to thick, take a Cup of thick slurry Out and add fresh water. Eventually You should think about getting a Vibe, It will do in two days what will take two to three weeks in a tumbler. I love my Ultra Vibe-18 Altho I have to Lot O's and love them too. But They Hold 4 Lbs and the Ultra Vibe holds 18. The 18 is a closer match for the thumbler B which is 12 lbs. A Tumbler rounds the stones and removes pitts etc. A Vibe Polishes the stones after rounded. They both are equally Important they just have different Tasks. If you have patience then Tumble all te way. Just depends on you. Any Other questions shoot em at me. Im still a newbie too we all learn together! So to regroup I Round in Thumbler using 30 and 80 with kitty litter, NO MEDIA FILLER (Wash Out Twice Real Good) Then I move to Vibe Using 220 No Additives No Media Run for 3-4 days. (Wash Out Twice Real Good) Then Wash Out Move to 500 G Run For 4-5 Days with Ceramic Medial Large & Small & Borax. (Wash Out 2 Times Real Good) Then Run .3 Micron 2-3 Days with Same Media & Borax, Wash Out Then Burnish W Borax Or Ivory Soap.
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kskid
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2014
Posts: 98
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Post by kskid on Oct 20, 2018 23:17:24 GMT -5
This is my first batch that I'm attempting to tumble and don't want to ruin what I've got. I just received my order from Rock Shed and I was a bit caught off guard as to what I got. I was expecting most of my rocks to be of similar size but that definitely is not the case.
I have quite a few pieces that are fist size or slightly bigger and a bunch that are golf ball size and smaller. Can I mix all of these in the same batch as long as the hardness is about the same?
Forgot to mention, I'm using a Thumbler Model B
What I would be mixing is below:
2 Lb Prairie Agate (1 large Fist size and 1 medium palm size stones) 2 Lb Green Red Jasper (2 large fist size stones) 2 Lbs SD Petrifed Wood (2 medium palm size stones) 2 Lbs Sodalite (all of these are about the size of a golf ball or smaller) (this is the softest stuff I have and I was going to pull it out first after checking it) 1 Lb Bahia Agate (all of these are about the size of a golf ball or smaller)
Plus I have some local agate that ranges in size from fingernail size up to palm size.
Thanks
FWIW - I routinely tumble larger stones in a small barrel. I only have a 6 lb. barrel, but if a rock will fit I'll put it in. I only tumble found rocks for fun, so I don't have to worry about financial implications if something goes wrong. I always include a variety of smaller sized rough and room for it all to move around. The only problem I've run into is when the large stone wedges into place against the barrel and/or a smaller stone and stops tumbling. No real harm though, since everything else continues rolling. The unbalanced barrel doesn't seem to cause any undue strain on the motor... might be very different on a larger set up. In an earlier post you also asked about sources for rough. I'd encourage you to think outside the box. Cheap rough can often be had locally from scrap piles at countertop outlets and monument retailers, landscape rock retailers, bag rock at big box stores, and some building supply yards will have colored rock for sale by the ton (offer a few bucks for a bag full). It's not as stunning as the exotic stuff, but can be beautiful in its own right. Good luck with your tumbling!
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