Kimmers
having dreams about rocks
Caution! Easily distracted by shiny objects...
Member since December 2021
Posts: 55
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Post by Kimmers on Jan 15, 2022 11:26:22 GMT -5
Okay I have a couple of newbie questions. I tried to search the forums, but I'm finding it difficult to search the forum. I'm sure with more practice I'll be better at finding what I'm looking for.
1. I started my very first batch this past Monday. I planned on checking the grit on Monday or Tuesday. I know they are probably not going to be ready to go to stage 2 at that point. Do I just take the stones out and keep the slurry in the barrel, check them, return them, add additional rocks if needed, and add grit or do I completely empty the barrel, clean it out and start from scratch with clean water and grit?
2. If (and I know it will happen) I get all the way done through stage four and there is a rock that had a crack and polish got stuck in it or it just did not look great, can it be thrown back in stage one with another batch of rocks?
I'm sorry for asking questions that probably get asked all the time. I'll try to familiar myself more with searching the forums in the future.
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jimmie
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2021
Posts: 233
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Post by jimmie on Jan 15, 2022 14:21:00 GMT -5
The main thing to remember is they are rocks. We are just speeding up nature in a slow motion way. I clean my rocks after a week, add back into the barrel with slurry I’ve saved. Clean em so you can check for progress.as to adding rocks back into the rough cycle, yes indeed. If you are tumbling agates and jasper you have lots of time to tumble and decide. Don’t stress out, this is slower then watching paint dry, I love it. It’s taught me patience, something I’ve never had.
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brybry
Cave Dweller
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,220
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Post by brybry on Jan 15, 2022 15:45:04 GMT -5
I only fill my barrels halfway with water so it depends on on the slurry thickness and if I feel any grit. If I feel any grit and the slurry isn't thick, I refresh the grit and let it go another 7-10 days.
Yes you can take any one that isn't ready to progress to the next stage back to stage 1 as many times as necessary to get it to YOUR satisfaction that it's ready for the next stage. Preferably keeping it with the same hardness rocks if possible.
You will likely find you are removing stage 2 ready rocks slower than picking out 1 or 2 in a batch to take back to stage 1.
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Kimmers
having dreams about rocks
Caution! Easily distracted by shiny objects...
Member since December 2021
Posts: 55
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Post by Kimmers on Jan 15, 2022 18:21:44 GMT -5
Thank you both! jimmie I'm actually eager because this is my first batch, but I want them to be done right so I'm fine with being patient. brybry Got ya! The later question stems from watching youtube/TikTok videos and seeing the not quite perfect ones come out. I just did not know if they could just be rerun or not.
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brybry
Cave Dweller
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,220
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Post by brybry on Jan 15, 2022 19:08:12 GMT -5
Thank you both! jimmie I'm actually eager because this is my first batch, but I want them to be done right so I'm fine with being patient. brybry Got ya! The later question stems from watching youtube/TikTok videos and seeing the not quite perfect ones come out. I just did not know if they could just be rerun or not. I gave my first batch a 2 week rough and ended up with tree agate that was so opposite of perfect and struggled to get anything close to a polish. Now, when they run long enough to see fractures or imperfections, I run them through the saw, chisel or grind it before I toss it back in. Takes a bit but it'll be worth it.
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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: 550
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Post by LazerFlash on Jan 17, 2022 15:09:46 GMT -5
I, too, am starting to get more patience. Initially, I was checking things like every 2-3 days. Now, I wait at least until 4-5 days.
When I spot-check, I have a plastic spoon that I use to scoop the stones out. I then use a spray bottle to rinse them off to check 'em out. I have two small plastic tubs, (the plastic bowls that frozen breakfast meals come in), filled with water; one for moving on and one for needing more time. Having only a one barrel tumbler, it's sort of a moving target as to when it's time to move the tumbler up to the next stage. If I have enough material to move up to the next stage, I've been generally cleaning out the barrel and doing that. If I'm staying at the current stage, I will take a look at the slurry that's in the tumbler and add grit if I think it would be beneficial. (Sometimes, I'll add a bit of previously-saved slurry instead of fresh grit.)
As to your second question, I whole-heartedly second what brybry told you... Throw them back as often as you want. I've even been looking with a more critical eye to some of the stones in my first couple tumbles and have thrown a few of those back into the cycle with better results.
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Kimmers
having dreams about rocks
Caution! Easily distracted by shiny objects...
Member since December 2021
Posts: 55
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Post by Kimmers on Jan 21, 2022 11:18:30 GMT -5
Okay, another dumb question/thought... I know rocks with deep holes have the chance of having grit and/or polish stuck in them. I do not have any sort of way (yet) to grind out deep holes. I was wondering if a person could plug the holes with wax. I know the outer layer of wax would be ground off, but I was curious if this was an option to prevent the holes from collecting grit. I assume this is not really feasible since I have never seen/heard of anyone doing this, but I am an overthinker.
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Post by Son Of Beach on Jan 21, 2022 11:26:33 GMT -5
Okay, another dumb question/thought... I know rocks with deep holes have the chance of having grit and/or polish stuck in them. I do not have any sort of way (yet) to grind out deep holes. I was wondering if a person could plug the holes with wax. I know the outer layer of wax would be ground off, but I was curious if this was an option to prevent the holes from collecting grit. I assume this is not really feasible since I have never seen/heard of anyone doing this, but I am an overthinker. Hey Kimmers, I've not done it myself. But I swear I saw a post by 1dave that covered what you are asking. I'll see if I can dig it up or maybe Dave can link it.
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Post by 1dave on Jan 21, 2022 11:47:32 GMT -5
Okay, another dumb question/thought... I know rocks with deep holes have the chance of having grit and/or polish stuck in them. I do not have any sort of way (yet) to grind out deep holes. I was wondering if a person could plug the holes with wax. I know the outer layer of wax would be ground off, but I was curious if this was an option to prevent the holes from collecting grit. I assume this is not really feasible since I have never seen/heard of anyone doing this, but I am an overthinker. Hey Kimmers, I've not done it myself. But I swear I saw a post by 1dave that covered what you are asking. I'll see if I can dig it up or maybe Dave can link it. Yes, but that was answered way before me - forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/post/60380/threadAnother use for wax - protecting stones that oxidize easily. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/post/741495/threadAlso helpful . . . forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/post/705640/thread
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Kimmers
having dreams about rocks
Caution! Easily distracted by shiny objects...
Member since December 2021
Posts: 55
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Post by Kimmers on Jan 22, 2022 11:50:33 GMT -5
Son Of Beach and 1dave Thank you both so much. I"ll start reading. I swear I'll figure out the search engine and stop asking repeat questions.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 22, 2022 13:13:48 GMT -5
Son Of Beach and 1dave Thank you both so much. I"ll start reading. I swear I'll figure out the search engine and stop asking repeat questions. Don't feel bad, at all. You are trying and that counts.
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Post by 1dave on Jan 22, 2022 13:16:23 GMT -5
Son Of Beach and 1dave Thank you both so much. I"ll start reading. I swear I'll figure out the search engine and stop asking repeat questions. WHAT? And take away our meager chances to show off? How can ye be sae cruel?
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Kimmers
having dreams about rocks
Caution! Easily distracted by shiny objects...
Member since December 2021
Posts: 55
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Post by Kimmers on Jan 22, 2022 14:21:04 GMT -5
Son Of Beach and 1dave Thank you both so much. I"ll start reading. I swear I'll figure out the search engine and stop asking repeat questions. WHAT? And take away our meager chances to show off? How can ye be sae cruel? Well then, I'd never dream of ruining your fun! I just do not want to be that annoying noob that does not do any work on her own.
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brybry
Cave Dweller
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,220
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Post by brybry on Jan 22, 2022 14:28:53 GMT -5
WHAT? And take away our meager chances to show off? How can ye be sae cruel? Well then, I'd never dream of ruining your fun! I just do not want to be that annoying noob that does not do any work on her own. Pfft. Haven't seen one of those yet. Keep in mind as well, not every single piece of updated info is going to be at the search engines fingertips per say. I've found random tidbits mentioned here and there in various posts that may not get brought up in a general search. Sometimes ya just gotta ask.
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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 Jan 22, 2022 17:21:22 GMT -5
I tried to organize a Frequently Asked Questions FAQ area a few years ago But everybody said that they liked to answer the questions anyway
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Kimmers
having dreams about rocks
Caution! Easily distracted by shiny objects...
Member since December 2021
Posts: 55
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Post by Kimmers on Jan 24, 2022 11:01:06 GMT -5
I tried to organize a Frequently Asked Questions FAQ area a few years ago But everybody said that they liked to answer the questions anyway That's good to know. I just do not want to be annoying.
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