jaqava
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2021
Posts: 1
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Post by jaqava on Nov 1, 2021 22:14:37 GMT -5
New to forum wondering if anyone has insight in dealing with sea shells. Heres my scenario. Bought a 3 lb tumbler ( Leegol) Im struggling to tumble/ erode the shells I have gathered at the beach into basically smaller versions of there current shape. Im not trying to get a high polish on these as there appearance now is a matte finish which is what I want to maintain. So these shells already have a decent amount of weathering to them which I want to continue via the tumbling process. I loaded up the tumbler about 3/4 full of shells somewhat various sizing with water at approx two inches below top of shells. tumbled for 48 hours checking a various points in time for leaks and to listening to tumbling process. Not getting a whole lot of erosion going on but am getting a lot of what I would describe as foam. I have a course grit which I did add and also bought some ceramic pellets ( have not tried these yet) I know shells are very soft compared to rocks and there are a couple posts on the board about shells in a tumbler which ive tried to glean for helpful information to no avail. Any input would be appreciated. I think my next steps are minimal water, more patience and a handful of pellets. IDK
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catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Post by catskillrocks on Nov 2, 2021 15:32:09 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum jaqava . Hopefully someone can help with your question, but I don't know what the process would be.
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Post by Son Of Beach on Nov 2, 2021 15:38:24 GMT -5
New to forum wondering if anyone has insight in dealing with sea shells. Heres my scenario. Bought a 3 lb tumbler ( Leegol) Im struggling to tumble/ erode the shells I have gathered at the beach into basically smaller versions of there current shape. Im not trying to get a high polish on these as there appearance now is a matte finish which is what I want to maintain. So these shells already have a decent amount of weathering to them which I want to continue via the tumbling process. I loaded up the tumbler about 3/4 full of shells somewhat various sizing with water at approx two inches below top of shells. tumbled for 48 hours checking a various points in time for leaks and to listening to tumbling process. Not getting a whole lot of erosion going on but am getting a lot of what I would describe as foam. I have a course grit which I did add and also bought some ceramic pellets ( have not tried these yet) I know shells are very soft compared to rocks and there are a couple posts on the board about shells in a tumbler which ive tried to glean for helpful information to no avail. Any input would be appreciated. I think my next steps are minimal water, more patience and a handful of pellets. IDK This channel does some work with shells, I have never worked with it personally but maybe you'll find something useful in the vid.
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LazerFlash
Cave Dweller
The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 548
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Post by LazerFlash on Nov 2, 2021 18:57:05 GMT -5
Welcome from Charles Town WV. (Think John Brown's pre-Civil War raid.) Now, the caveat: I am a newbie to all of this! Take my advice with a grain of salt...
Okay, here's my 2ยข worth: Shells are mostly composed of calcium carbonite, which is also the component of calcite. That should make shells approximately a hardness of 3 on the Moh Scale. I would suspect that if you can find the right recipe for tumbling calcite, you should be able to easily adapt it to your shells.
Any of the master tumblers on here got a good recipe for tumbling calcite that jaqava can try?
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