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Post by RocksInNJ on Jan 3, 2020 1:35:47 GMT -5
I’ve been experimenting with different types of things to thicken the slurry. Sugar takes way to much, as it just dissolves and really doesn’t thicken unless you use a ton of it. The kitty litter that I bought and thought was just plain apparently had something in it, cause it blew the lid off my barrel, so until I can get to the auto store for the right kind of litter, that’s on hold for now.
I’ve heard bad things about baking powder, baking soda and cornstarch. So I was wondering if anyone had ever tried plain old flour? Seems plain enough and it’s used for turning sauces into gravy, so why not? Though I guess flour could rise is hot out and maybe cause gas or pressure. I unno.
Anyone have any any experience or knowledge of using flour as a thickener?
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Post by knave on Jan 3, 2020 1:51:20 GMT -5
Seems like it would make quite a mess. But it’s worth a shot. I tried water beads as a cushioning agent and it didn’t work! Just find some dirt and throw it in there if your ground isn’t frozen in NJ.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,602
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Post by jamesp on Jan 3, 2020 3:22:07 GMT -5
Clay works best for me RocksInNJ. Earth slurry. Cheap. Georgia kaolin(a white clay)  Or some really sticky Georgia red clay from a road shoulder(best).   |
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Post by knave on Jan 3, 2020 5:58:43 GMT -5
Sounds like a frosted, glazed, pudding filled Bismarck would do the trick  |
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Post by fernwood on Jan 3, 2020 6:17:33 GMT -5
I have used pure clay kitty litter in the past. Also, have used a few TBS of used slurry for stages 1-2.
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,432 
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Post by Wooferhound on Jan 3, 2020 8:05:12 GMT -5
I made a cleanout sink that collects any leftover usable slurry in a settlement tank. Then dry it out and use it in stage 1 tumbles.
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Post by RocksInNJ on Jan 3, 2020 8:41:19 GMT -5
Sounds like a frosted, glazed, pudding filled Bismarck would do the trick Oh hell no!!! I can eat that.  |
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whyofquartz
spending too much on rocks
So, Africa is smaller than I expected...
Member since December 2019
Posts: 318
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Post by whyofquartz on Jan 3, 2020 9:43:57 GMT -5
I have not looked into slurry thickening yet but I personally would avoid organic thickeners, flour and sugar will rot and/or ferment. I would use old slurry, sand, bentonite or perlite clay, heck BBQ/Pit/Grill/Barbie/fireplace ash, may be sawdust. As soon as I am back around to Rough grit I will try out charcoal(not briquets, real charcoal) and report back
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EricD
Cave Dweller
High in the Mountains
Member since November 2019
Posts: 1,142
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Post by EricD on Jan 3, 2020 10:01:19 GMT -5
I have not looked into slurry thickening yet but I personally would avoid organic thickeners, flour and sugar will rot and/or ferment. I would use old slurry, sand, bentonite or perlite clay, heck BBQ/Pit/Grill/Barbie/fireplace ash, may be sawdust. As soon as I am back around to Rough grit I will try out charcoal(not briquets, real charcoal) and report back Never thought about sawdust. That would likely work fantastic to deaden impact AND thicken/carry grit around  |
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Post by knave on Jan 3, 2020 10:14:43 GMT -5
Cut up a few shop rags with a sewing scissors
I like the sawdust idea also.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718
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Post by Fossilman on Jan 3, 2020 10:30:22 GMT -5
I save my old grit, to use to thicken slurry.. That way I'm not wasting my new grit... I keep it stored in juice jugs..
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EricD
Cave Dweller
High in the Mountains
Member since November 2019
Posts: 1,142
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Post by EricD on Jan 3, 2020 10:43:56 GMT -5
Cut up a few shop rags with a sewing scissors
I like the sawdust idea also. Haha...
There are cabinet makers all over, as well as various kinds of carpenters that would just love to get rid of as much sawdust as you could cart off.
I may just have to acquire some and try it out. The impact reduction properties, as well as it's ability to carry grit may well be unbeatable but I will have to see myself.
I've just been using my used coarse slurry after drying it out to maximize the thickening effect. Works great though!
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Post by RocksInNJ on Jan 3, 2020 11:20:08 GMT -5
I have not looked into slurry thickening yet but I personally would avoid organic thickeners, flour and sugar will rot and/or ferment. I would use old slurry, sand, bentonite or perlite clay, heck BBQ/Pit/Grill/Barbie/fireplace ash, may be sawdust. As soon as I am back around to Rough grit I will try out charcoal(not briquets, real charcoal) and report back Hmmm I do a lot of BBQing, but the smell of bbq rocks would make me hungry. Saw dust is a good idea. Why didn’t I think of that? I was a cabinet maker for the majority of my career. There’s plenty of wood shops that would gladly give it to you for free too. |
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whyofquartz
spending too much on rocks
So, Africa is smaller than I expected...
Member since December 2019
Posts: 318
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Post by whyofquartz on Jan 3, 2020 11:22:36 GMT -5
there was a fellow, LifeBuzzN on YouTube, who used sawdust as filler I haven't followed through to see how it turned out
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Post by woodman on Jan 3, 2020 11:27:26 GMT -5
I got buckets of good stuff from my flat lap runoff!! even got some grit in it, would work good.
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Post by greig on Jan 3, 2020 13:51:16 GMT -5
Clay is the standard thickener. If you cannot find it in the ground, you can buy it at hobby stores for cheap. I have also used sandbox sand (sorry daughter Amy) or tossed in some old unwanted (degraded/broken) apatite, anthabol or fluorite crystals into the barrel and they turn to clay pretty darn quick. I would not use clay, sand or crystals in stage 3/4 rotary, in case they have something that scratches. I have wondered what cheap toothpaste would do, but have yet to try it. Might be good with polish.
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,432
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Post by Wooferhound on Jan 3, 2020 17:47:21 GMT -5
Cut up a few shop rags with a sewing scissors
I like the sawdust idea also. Aren't you guys trying to make your stage 1 tumbles more efficient and Faster ? Then don't use any cushioning in there, Sawdust will just slow everything down and waste grit.
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Post by knave on Jan 3, 2020 17:50:36 GMT -5
Yes, efficient and faster is the goal.
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Post by Lapidaryrough / Jack Cole on Jan 3, 2020 18:50:12 GMT -5
Tripoli polishing compoud. I use it in my vibra tumblers. Cheap and it carrys the grit.
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Post by RocksInNJ on Jan 3, 2020 19:02:46 GMT -5
I’m curious for all stages actually. The coarse stage for my softer rocks and all the others for cushioning and less banging around.
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