Michel
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2022
Posts: 13
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Post by Michel on Jun 11, 2022 17:06:51 GMT -5
Hello guys,
I notice that "a lot" of grit goes into tiny cracks of my rocks and I was wandering in there is a way to dissolve the grit before putting my rocks in stage 2. For most cracks, I just cannot reach...
Thank you
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jun 11, 2022 17:33:05 GMT -5
Tumble longer. Cracks are undesirable anyway. I know some people use an ultrasonic cleaner. I ordered a water pick to see how that works for some very vuggy rocks I'm working on. A dental pick can be used to remove some. Honestly I break rocks along cracks that fill and trap grit if at all possible.
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nursetumbler
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2022
Posts: 981
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Post by nursetumbler on Jun 11, 2022 17:57:57 GMT -5
michaelI had brazillian agate in from January 30th and it just got done about a week or so ago. If you dont mind the cracks except for the grit in them keep them wet and tumble them for a few hours in water and borax or Ivory soap shavings. If you dont like the cracks at all tumble them longer. Tumbling is a marathon not a sprint especially if you are looking for shiny rocks like in a lot of the pictures.
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markb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2022
Posts: 472
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Post by markb on Jun 12, 2022 13:49:21 GMT -5
Michel , I clean my rocks coming out of the barrel after a tumble in warm water and a shot of Dawn. Next I use a toothbrush to make sure the rim of the barrel is clean, then put all the rocks back into the barrel, add warm water (NOT hot) and 1-1.5 TBS of Borax and tumble for 15-30 minutes, depending on how many crevices the rocks have to collect grit. When this is finished, I rinse off my rocks thoroughly and pick out or brush of any grit remaining in the cracks if possible, or, if the cracks are too deep to do this, I either run them back through the 80-grit tumble or toss them out.
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Post by Starguy on Jun 12, 2022 19:54:42 GMT -5
MichelI use a standard household spray bottle to clean out the vugs and pits. It works pretty good and will clean out pretty small tubes etc.
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Post by rmf on Jun 13, 2022 6:55:45 GMT -5
To answer the question: SiC decomposes at 2830 deg C or 5130 deg F. SiC is soluble in molten alkalis and Iron.
chances you rock is not.
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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 Jun 14, 2022 15:37:56 GMT -5
It looks like you've received a lot of good advice, Michel . FWIW, I do a combination of things mentioned here.
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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 Jun 14, 2022 15:38:55 GMT -5
Oh, and welcome from Charles Town WV. (Think Charles Washington, brother of our first President.)
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