karldubya
starting to shine!
Member since March 2021
Posts: 32
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Post by karldubya on Mar 13, 2021 10:16:09 GMT -5
If this has been asked I apologize I searched but didn’t find anything.
I have a double tumbler this last batch just finished stage one which i let run 4.5 weeks. I started with my rocks at 3/4 full in a 3lbs barrel. When I pulled them out and started preping for stage two I notice each barrel was now just under half full. The little rocks appear to have turned into pebbles or are gone. I removed two of the larger stones and combined the two barrels to get back to 3/4 full.
Now I’m wondering if being full is important? Are batches supposed to reduce over time as part of the process? They’ve only just started this morning so I can stop and separate again.
Btw I’m new to this, I can’t tell one rock from another or their hardness so I get that I might be mixing hardness in this batch, so take that aside.
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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 Mar 13, 2021 12:46:40 GMT -5
You can combine rocks from the same stage and hardness. I like to load the barrels to about 3/4 full, yes you will need to add more rocks as you go along.
Don't let them go 4 1/2 weeks next time.
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standles
spending too much on rocks
Well all I got was a rock ... Cool!
Member since February 2021
Posts: 325
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Post by standles on Mar 13, 2021 12:56:52 GMT -5
The reduction in volume in stage one can be significant as this is where the shaping is done. Afterwards you still lose volume but very little. I routinely run a week and check the rocks. Those ready for stage 2 move to a waiting container (submerged in water) till I have enough for a bbl full. The rest go back and I top off with new rough of same hardness. The stage one bbls run consistently.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Mar 13, 2021 13:04:10 GMT -5
I run a 12 Lb barrel for my course grind. I check it every 2 weeks and pull the stuff that is ready to move on and add fresh to make up the loss. Once I get enough saved up I go to the medium grind. I don't add any more as the loss from med. on is not too significant. I cushion the loads from fine grit on so as to not cause chips.
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karldubya
starting to shine!
Member since March 2021
Posts: 32
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Post by karldubya on Mar 14, 2021 9:25:18 GMT -5
Most of my rocks start smooth, we get a lot of River and Lake rocks. I’m not sure how to tell what “done” looks like. I read that more time can’t hurt so I just run them very long. I assume I’m looking for edges and cracks to be smoothed out in stage one before going to stage two but honestly a lot of mine start that way. I’m not sure if 4 weeks is necessary for stage one, but I was getting some poor results early on (Dull Rocks). But I also had some terrible products, my polish was considered a prepolish. But that’s what I get from buying from a toy store. This next material I just purchased should be real polish - I went to rocktumbler.com I’ll try therockshed by recommendation when this stuff is out.
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