Tommy
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Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,653
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Post by Tommy on Dec 15, 2019 13:33:51 GMT -5
I probably should have never taken the noob hat off - I never got very good at rotary tumbling and put it down all together after getting my first set of cabbing wheels.
Anyway, I recently collected some interesting jasper from an interesting location and I want to see what potential hides within. It's all around quarter size and a little larger, rust soaked but windowing nice - but not really cutting size. If it cleans up good it might be worth going back and looking for some bigger pieces - so I've dusted off and oiled up my QT66 and started a barrel rolling and plan on adding the second barrel today. I filled the barrel to around 2/3 and 3/4 full of rocks and just barely covered them with water. I've got a boatload of 60/80 that I hoarded somewhere along the line so I added that - about three tablespoons so far - how much grit do you guys use/recommend?
Also, I have completely forgotten, am I looking for a slurry and if so after how long of spinning should I see it?
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Post by knave on Dec 15, 2019 13:35:31 GMT -5
🧐
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Post by manofglass on Dec 15, 2019 13:58:24 GMT -5
Add a little cat litter it will thicken up faster 1 tablespoon of grit per pound of stone
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Post by RocksInNJ on Dec 15, 2019 15:03:13 GMT -5
Careful with the cat litter. I bought a cheap bucket from Sam’s Club that I thought was just plain ole kitty litter. It had no scent to it or anything and it wound up blowing my lid off after only two days, before I even got a chance to burp it. Upon closer look at the bucket it contained some kind of scent deodorizing crystals, so figured that must be the culprit.
I wish I knew where to buy plain unscented , chemical free kitty litter. What are you guys using?
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Post by aDave on Dec 15, 2019 19:41:41 GMT -5
Tommy I also agree to stay away from kitty litter until you see what happens as your material rolls. If things go "wrong" at the outset, that kitty litter is simply another variable you need to eliminate. I've never used kitty litter in the coarse stage. I simply add old dried stage one slurry as my additive to help at the outset. Chuck and Rob don't add anything other than grit and water to the mix. As such, YMMV. Personally, I wouldn't worry about how soon you may or may not be seeing slurry form. If the water is turning grey or reddish (depending on your material), then the grit is doing it's work. The biggest thing to look for at the end of 5-7 days is if your grit is gone. If you really don't see any grit, then all is well. If you have a whole bunch left over, then you may need to make some adjustments to either water level, mix of sizes, or how full the barrel is. In my 6lb barrels, I'm using about 10 tbsp of grit (for the course stage) which is what the Lortone manual recommends for that size barrel. Some here have done some testing, so there might even be a range of 8-10 level tbsp which should produce decent results. I've sometimes gone less than 10 if I haven't added level tbsp. Just remember that most barrel recipes, and what is called for in grit, is actually based on barrel poundage capacity and not actually the weight of material inside. ETA: While you didn't ask, the only thing I'd add is make sure the barrels are rolling as designed. Make sure your bushings have oil and your belt is of proper tension (which is actually quite nebulous). But, your barrels for that tumbler should be turning around 30-32 RPM. If it's a bit faster, no big deal. If you start slowing, your grinding will be reduced. If it's too slow, that can be corrected by tightening the belt a bit.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,653
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Post by Tommy on Dec 16, 2019 14:21:09 GMT -5
Thanks for the input everyone - good information all around. My dogs won't allow cats in the house and I'm not likely to venture out for kitty litter. I'm not in a real hurry to see the slurry I just couldn't remember if and when it should forming. aDave I've got 9 heaping tablespoons in one barrel now so I'll call that close enough to the 10 I guess - probably closer to 11 so I'll watch it for sludge later. The other one is a bit shy at 6 heapers so I'll probably open that one and add some more.
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Post by RocksInNJ on Dec 16, 2019 15:00:16 GMT -5
I found 8 level tablespoons to be just about right for my QT-66 barrels. At 10-12 I still had grit that wasn’t broken down after a week. Then 6 seemed to break down to fast, so hit it in the middle and 8 seemed to do pretty well. All depends on the type of rocks as well. You can always use sugar to thicken the slurry too, rather than the kitty litter.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Dec 16, 2019 22:52:08 GMT -5
In answer to the question of where to get plain unscented kitty litter, it's called floor dry or grease sweep, available at auto parts stores and likely many other sources of similar items.
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Post by As I in does tries! on Dec 16, 2019 23:02:53 GMT -5
Greetings Tommy I find it easier to do by weight rather than Tablespoons. F80 (60/90) [1.5lb] barrel 40g (1.411oz), [3lb] barrel 60g (2.116oz), [6lb] barrel 120g (4.232oz), [12lb] barrel 240g (8.465oz) Max load [6lb] Barrel 240g (8.465oz), [12lb] barrel 480g (1.05lb) See "Aussie Lapidary Forum: Rock Tumbling Guide!" in my signature below for more info. Kitty litter is just dried clay balls!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Dec 17, 2019 2:52:48 GMT -5
If you run across any pure pasty clay in you rock hunting trips it may serve you well Tommy. Or you may have clay in your yard or close by home. They have new fandangled kitty litters that are not clay based so beware. The label on the litter may tell you if it is caly/fired clay.
Or you can forget the slurry additive and simply wait till a slurry develops and keep it simple till you find your groove. You should have a slurry within a few days using 60/80. If not reduce the water a bit.
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whyofquartz
spending too much on rocks
So, Africa is smaller than I expected...
Member since December 2019
Posts: 316
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Post by whyofquartz on Dec 17, 2019 10:20:32 GMT -5
Careful with the cat litter. I bought a cheap bucket from Sam’s Club that I thought was just plain ole kitty litter. It had no scent to it or anything and it wound up blowing my lid off after only two days, before I even got a chance to burp it. Upon closer look at the bucket it contained some kind of scent deodorizing crystals, so figured that must be the culprit. I wish I knew where to buy plain unscented , chemical free kitty litter. What are you guys using? what you want is 100% bentonite clay, used as kitty litter, shop absorbent, concrete additive, drilling mud, pond liner, and a host of other things. in the kitty litter you are looking for a bottom shelf, low cost (usually bulk) house-brand product. but if you get the kind for drilling mud it will be a powder and easier to use for a slurry, the downside is you are looking at a 50lb bag of fine gray/orange powder.
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
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Post by Fossilman on Dec 17, 2019 11:22:57 GMT -5
After your first roll, save the slurry from the barrels.... Than start using the used slurry + adding your grit... No waste than...
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Post by knave on Dec 17, 2019 11:25:09 GMT -5
That’s a good idea. I’ve been throwing it out.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,653
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Post by Tommy on Dec 17, 2019 13:18:24 GMT -5
Or you can forget the slurry additive and simply wait till a slurry develops and keep it simple till you find your groove. You should have a slurry within a few days using 60/80. If not reduce the water a bit. Yep! I checked them last night and both barrels are definitely developing a slurry. I'm in no hurry so I'll check it again in a couple of days.
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Post by fernwood on Dec 17, 2019 14:08:36 GMT -5
I did not see this at first. Am concerned that you said water was just above rocks. I always have water just below rocks. Since a slurry is beginning then all should be well.
Oh, welcome back to the wild and crazy world of rotary tumbling.
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