chandler
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2020
Posts: 105
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Post by chandler on Feb 1, 2021 13:50:49 GMT -5
I put a little more than 2 tsp of the 120-220 I got from the Rock Shed. I squirted 12 squirts of water, but the rocks were damp to begin with. All the rocks tend to collect in one area.
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Post by rmf on Feb 1, 2021 14:53:26 GMT -5
Add more material. Size distribution matters as well
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stewdogg
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 388
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Post by stewdogg on Feb 1, 2021 17:04:05 GMT -5
I agree with rmf.
I fill my TVL5 anywhere between 75 and 90% full, Depending on speed and sound of the tumble. Looks like your around 15-20% full, which won't give the rocks the ability to float in the mix. They seem to just be banging on the plastic. Last week I ran one large rock in my TVL5 and filled the rest with ceramic media to around 85% full. It did a great job with it.
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chandler
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2020
Posts: 105
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Post by chandler on Feb 1, 2021 17:29:59 GMT -5
If I don't have any more ceramics, should I just put in gravel? Can I just fill the barrel with different size agates?
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stewdogg
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 388
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Post by stewdogg on Feb 1, 2021 17:53:43 GMT -5
Are you running the rocks in a tumbler for the coarse grind or is this your first stage for these rocks?
I tried using some gravel to add to a load once and there must have been some concrete or something in it because it tore my smooth rocks up a bit, so I tend to stay away from generic gravel myself.
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chandler
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2020
Posts: 105
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Post by chandler on Feb 1, 2021 17:55:46 GMT -5
I ran it through the first stage in my Lortone. Should I fill it with some agates?
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stewdogg
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 388
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Post by stewdogg on Feb 1, 2021 18:31:55 GMT -5
If the agates or filler rock have been through the coarse grit then by all means throw them in and see if it gets better movement. I think your long term plan should be to get more ceramics, large and small would be good. The problem with just throwing more of the same size rocks in, is that they will bang into each other more and run the risk of damaging each other. The idea with the ceramics is that they cushion the rocks and they act like little fingers to touch every part of the rock with your grit and slurry.
I have been there, wanting desperately to move on when I should actually just wait till I have enough of the ceramics or enough small to large rocks to fill the bowl.
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chandler
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2020
Posts: 105
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Post by chandler on Feb 1, 2021 19:13:15 GMT -5
I've ordered more ceramics. Meanwhile, I've added more assorted sized agates. It still tends to push the rocks to one side of the tumbler, then eventually they balance out, then back to the side again, repeat.
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stewdogg
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 388
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Post by stewdogg on Feb 1, 2021 23:34:01 GMT -5
Mine will run higher on one side than the other as well and sometimes the rocks will be a bit slower in some spots than other spots in the bowl, but they don't stop. If they stop in a section of the bowl then something is wrong with the setup somewhere.
My TV is also very loud when it is not full with enough weight and it seems thrash and damage the rocks more. I do seem to have much better luck when the bowl is very full.
It the vibe sitting level?
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chandler
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2020
Posts: 105
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Post by chandler on Feb 2, 2021 10:40:24 GMT -5
The vibe is sitting on a rubber mat on top of a heavy table. I read it should be on the floor, but I didn't want to bend over every time I checked it. "groan". This is what I found this morning. I took the picture and closed up the TV and started it. Then I decided to take a video. When I opened the lid, the rocks had found themselves on the side again. I have ordered the media, but it will take a few days. What should I do before stage 2? Should I stop the process, since the rocks and store them in water until the media comes in? Does it look like it's running ok? I appreciate your help.
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Post by miket on Feb 2, 2021 10:55:08 GMT -5
This happens to me as well, the stones always seem to gravitate to one side. I usually will just rotate the vibe 90 degrees or so every once in a while just to get them to move a little differently. Not sure if it helps or not- but at least in my mind it does... I agree with what others have said, you definitely need more rocks/ceramics in the bowl when you run it. I would wait for your ceramics to come in, but I'll let someone else chime in on storing your stones in water. I happen to, but that's just me.
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chandler
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2020
Posts: 105
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Post by chandler on Feb 2, 2021 11:27:11 GMT -5
Since I have a load going in my Lortone, I think I will stop the TV, rince and clean the rocks (and put them in water??). When the Lortone rocks are done, I will add them to the TV rocks and start over. Adding media as needed.
Does this sound good?
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Post by Peruano on Feb 2, 2021 13:02:35 GMT -5
Your load looks 1. too small; add more rocks. You don't want to polish ceramic media unless you have a particularly important rock load that needs to be done and you absolutely don't have anything else to add. 2. too dry; I'd add a squirt of dawn liquid detergent along with your grit. The soap helps the grit cling to the stones as they move and makes for a cushion as well as a wetting agent. Soap is not just for cleaning. 3. The general movement should be like a margarita mixer but yes things move gently around the bowl as well as swirling up and down through the cycle. I keep a supply of small to intermediate rocks to mix with my loads to bring them up to capacity and to provide additional surfaces to carry the grit to the stones I want to polish. All bigs and many littles does not polish efficiently.
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chandler
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2020
Posts: 105
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Post by chandler on Feb 2, 2021 13:23:32 GMT -5
Thank you all very much!
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