USMC15
Cave Dweller
I feel like I just came out of the tumbler ...
Member since March 2021
Posts: 273
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Post by USMC15 on Mar 14, 2021 13:26:11 GMT -5
Been 5 days, I am bored, I am contemplating another clean out. Suggestions?
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Mar 14, 2021 14:03:10 GMT -5
Sure why not. If you have grit left in the bottom of the barrel then you will know for next time!
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Benathema
has rocks in the head
God chased me down and made sure I knew He was real June 20, 2022. I've been on a Divine Mission.
Member since November 2019
Posts: 703
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Post by Benathema on Mar 14, 2021 14:39:10 GMT -5
When I first started I thought I could speed run the process. The book said 7 days for each stage, right? I reckon 5 should be good enough, right? Across 4 stages I could knock it down to 3 weeks instead of 4 and get to my pretty rocks sooner. Problem was I was disappointed with the results every time and it was kind of a drag. There was something I came across at some point and I can't remember the quote, but it was something like: if you only focus on improving the results then you won't get better results, but if you focus on improving the process the results will naturally improve. That's why as you browse this forum you see time and time again that it's all about stage 1. If they don't look good there, the rest of the stages aren't going to fix that. In fact, polish exemplifies the problems. Water on stones can be an indicator of what it might look like polished, but due to the cohesive nature of water, it fills in cracks and holes, hiding the flaws and creating a smooth reflective surface. E.g., two similarly sized stones in a 3 lb barrel, one on the left was 5 days each stage, on the right was ran 4-5 weeks in stage 1 before a week each in 2-4. I'd say that since these I've improved the shine I get even more. Okay, so you're bored at 5 days. Understandable . Of course you can check, but... I'd say don't just push them forward if they're not ready. Most importantly, have fun.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Mar 14, 2021 16:54:46 GMT -5
We all have illusions of grandeur when we first start! What does the book or the forum know lol. They don't call it "grinding" for nothing. I had that impatient excitement and often opened barrels a lot sooner than they should have been. Moved load through a lot quicker than the should have been. Rush rush rush, but I learned. Now I have patience, I know what can and cannot move forward, and I know the payoff is worth it.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on Mar 15, 2021 6:27:19 GMT -5
Try turning it on and walking away. Check on it occasionally and do the scheduled clean outs. A watched pot never boils.
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Post by jasoninsd on Mar 15, 2021 9:45:36 GMT -5
Try turning it on and walking away. Check on it occasionally and do the scheduled clean outs. A watched pot never boils. Yep! What JamesP said! This thread is the reason you need to get that cabbing machine and saw sooner rather than later...so you've got something else to do than:
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USMC15
Cave Dweller
I feel like I just came out of the tumbler ...
Member since March 2021
Posts: 273
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Post by USMC15 on Mar 15, 2021 11:08:11 GMT -5
I'll pick up the saw and lap machine this week. Maybe a few s lo slabbing stone. I still have 4 machines to buy, a lap grinder, a trimming saw, a slab saw, and a Lot-o tumbler.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on Mar 16, 2021 5:10:56 GMT -5
Or 30 tumblers
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