|
Post by scienceteacher79 on Nov 13, 2020 22:29:11 GMT -5
I am having problems with my obsidian "floating" on top of my ceramic media in the barrel. I have different sized shapes from .5-2 inches. I filled barrel with 1/2 small media and then loaded the rocks. Turned it on and slowly added 120/220 grit. Almost no tumbling action right from the start. After two days of struggling to get it right, I dumped it all out and started over. I added some larger 5/8" media but much less than 1/2 barrel. Added rocks, grit and 1T borax. I slowly got better action, but still so low with very little movement. This time I see a few media mixing with the obsidian but not much. Any help you could give would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. BTW...most obsidian is round but about 1/3 of it is odd shapes. I don't want to damage the tumbler or get chipped/bruised rock either.
|
|
irlcjrohr
starting to spend too much on rocks
If it does not melt, polish it.
Member since April 2020
Posts: 123
|
Post by irlcjrohr on Nov 13, 2020 22:55:06 GMT -5
I am having problems with my obsidian "floating" on top of my ceramic media in the barrel. I have different sized shapes from .5-2 inches. I filled barrel with 1/2 small media and then loaded the rocks. Turned it on and slowly added 120/220 grit. Almost no tumbling action right from the start. After two days of struggling to get it right, I dumped it all out and started over. I added some larger 5/8" media but much less than 1/2 barrel. Added rocks, grit and 1T borax. I slowly got better action, but still so low with very little movement. This time I see a few media mixing with the obsidian but not much. Any help you could give would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. BTW...most obsidian is round but about 1/3 of it is odd shapes. I don't want to damage the tumbler or get chipped/bruised rock either. scienceteacher79, Have you read the obsidian tutorial in the forum? I found it very helpful. I have a lot-o and start my step #2 tumbles with only the rocks and ceramic media. 1/2 full small and large media then rocks to just above the curve of the barrel.
I had a problem with one of the lot-o fans not staying in place and now make sure they are set properly every time. I make sure I have motion before I add anything. For obsidian I have found less is more. I use 3/4 TBS borax, let it run for 2-3 minutes and 2 teaspoons of #220 in the lot-o for step2.
My step 1 is always rotary with a small 3lbs barrel 1/3 media and 2/3 stone fill 3/4 to the top.
|
|
|
Post by scienceteacher79 on Nov 13, 2020 23:06:20 GMT -5
Thanks for the quick reply and the helpful article. I followed Krystee's Obsidian recipe and article which was well written and documented. Perhaps I needed some larger media rather than using all. I have downloaded the article for quick review.
|
|