spartyb
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2019
Posts: 20
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Post by spartyb on Jun 24, 2020 19:44:32 GMT -5
I started a new batch last week in my 15# Thumler. It is nearly all quartz or quartz looking rocks I recently collected. I know they bruise easily so attempting to minimize this I did a couple things different.
1. I added a cup of sugar which I read here can help thicken the slurry quicker. 2. I also filled the barrel about 3/4 instead of my normal 2/3 hoping to slow down the action.
They’ve been tumbling for 6 days and 3 times I’ve had pressure build up and cause the slurry to leak out. Each time I’ve opened it up and cleaned the gasket only to have the same thing happen 2 days later. You’d think I’d remember to burp it daily after the 1st time but no.
Is the sugar to blame? Do some rocks have more problems with this than others? I’m using the same grit I’ve been using for about 6 months so I don’t think that’s it.
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Post by knave on Jun 24, 2020 19:51:44 GMT -5
Is the center of the lid gasket worn through? The gasket and barrel lip both need to be CLEAN.
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spartyb
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2019
Posts: 20
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Post by spartyb on Jun 24, 2020 20:04:15 GMT -5
The lid gasket it is in good shape and I should’ve been clearer, I do clean the lip before sealing back up as well.
Also when I loosen the 1st thumbscrew a LOT of pressure is released. I’ve noticed some pressure release in the past but nothing even close to this.
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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 Jun 24, 2020 20:29:59 GMT -5
Under the right circumstances sugar can ferment and produce gas. You can make alcohol with sugar. Not sure about it doing that in just 2 days though
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Post by knave on Jun 24, 2020 20:35:03 GMT -5
Ok, you said new batch. I would not recommend sugar for stage 1, Rather fill the barrel farther, and add more smalls.
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ataraktos
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 140
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Post by ataraktos on Jun 24, 2020 20:39:42 GMT -5
You’d think I’d remember to burp it daily after the 1st time but no. You'll remember to check if it ever explodes on you! My covington barrels build up gas with every single thing I tumble. I've tried all the suggestions I've come across, to no avail. I thought the barrels would break-in or something, but no. I had a blowout (nothing special, jasper, grit, water, ceramics) and I've been generally good about checking their "bottoms" ever since. But I foolishly tried glass in them. - glass explosion! Now I'm using little thumler barrels for glass. My advice would be to turn the lid away from the motor, if you can. =)
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Post by knave on Jun 24, 2020 20:42:19 GMT -5
I’ve heard tums help and I’ve heard borax helps
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spartyb
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2019
Posts: 20
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Post by spartyb on Jun 24, 2020 21:44:07 GMT -5
Ok, you said new batch. I would not recommend sugar for stage 1, Rather fill the barrel farther, and add more smalls. Good to know thanks.
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spartyb
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2019
Posts: 20
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Post by spartyb on Jun 24, 2020 21:47:12 GMT -5
I’ve heard tums help and I’ve heard borax helps I’m going to try this now. Last of my 60/90 is in the barrel so I need to limp along until the new grit arrives...hopefully Saturday.
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spartyb
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2019
Posts: 20
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Post by spartyb on Jun 24, 2020 22:12:46 GMT -5
You’re probably right there. Luckily it hasn’t been that bad.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,339
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Post by quartz on Jun 24, 2020 22:15:07 GMT -5
We have hunted rocks over a lot of Oregon and some Washington, tumbled a lot of it; a great variety of stuff. Some rocks have something in them that causes gas, metal I think. We have run batches totally benign, some stink worse than any sewer, and some create gas very rapidly.
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spartyb
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2019
Posts: 20
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Post by spartyb on Jun 24, 2020 22:19:15 GMT -5
some stink worse than any sewer Funny you say that, I just noticed a foul stench when throwing in the tums.
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Post by Pat on Jun 24, 2020 23:39:22 GMT -5
Tums?
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Post by pauls on Jun 25, 2020 0:42:20 GMT -5
Stinking like that it might be Iron Pyrite, it breaks down with water to Iron Oxide (rust) and Hydrogen Sulphide (fart gas)
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spartyb
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2019
Posts: 20
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Post by spartyb on Jun 25, 2020 16:44:25 GMT -5
Tums? Someone suggested it in this thread.
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spartyb
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2019
Posts: 20
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Post by spartyb on Jun 25, 2020 16:58:21 GMT -5
I don’t remember any that looked like they contained pyrite...assuming all pyrite looks like gold. Pretty sure there were some with magnetite or hematite but then again I don’t really know for sure. Just going by the little bit of research I’ve done on rocks in that area and google image searches.
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Post by knave on Jun 25, 2020 19:40:41 GMT -5
When you’re getting a snack at the station after a long day, and the clerk says “Do you have gas outside?” It’s so tempting to say, “Not outside.”
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Post by arghvark on Jun 26, 2020 17:48:19 GMT -5
I can't address sugar in a rotary, haven't tried it. But really like clay as additive in rotary. It basically makes an instant grit carrier so the grind is fast right away. It's also very forgiving of thickness so amounts don't have to be real precise.
For comparison: before I started using clay, I'd usually have a small amount of grit left (2/3c of 46/70 in a 6lb barrel) at the end 7 or even 8 days. Using clay, it's completely exhausted at the end of 5 days unless I've overfilled.
Maybe try some clay? Would answer the question of whether the sugar is causing or contributing to your gas.
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