ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 27, 2016 7:06:21 GMT -5
Thanks for the link Tommy. Those look like a good place to start.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 26, 2016 14:16:40 GMT -5
Sorry I can't offer any advice on tumbling this material, but I'm replying so I can watch the progress. A majority of these pieces look like they will be ready in the near future since they seem well shaped.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 26, 2016 14:13:03 GMT -5
While talking to Shawn he said this is the first time in quite a while he's heard of a motor issue. The change out is very easy and I'm sure you would be able to do it, but let's just assume this is a fluke and your machine will be just fine. It's just a couple of screws and you're done.
If I had to remove the whole thing I would just get some metal wire and pull it under the base. It would cut the double sided tape.
Once again, let's call this a fluke based on how many people are using these machines with no issues!
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 26, 2016 13:34:02 GMT -5
Shawn got back to me right away, but unfortunately I need to deal with the manufacturer directly. It took a few days of calling and emailing, but I was finally able to talk to someone who just said to mail the motor back to them and they'll get a new one shipped out. Hope to be up and running sometime next week!
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 26, 2016 12:20:35 GMT -5
I've said it before, but it bears repeating - the only way I'll find any rock like this in my area is when the USPS truck drops off the box. Someday there will be a trip out west. Need to rent something bigger than my Mini Cooper though - only enough room for a couple of buckets!
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 26, 2016 11:46:01 GMT -5
I hate to reply to such an old thread, but I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion for good templates. I contacted Troy and he doesn't have the laser setup anymore. I also couldn't find the PDF being mentioned anywhere.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 26, 2016 8:24:28 GMT -5
One of these days I was gonna ask, if someone else hasn't asked before, where people's favorite sources for rough are online. Mostly I get mine via ebay. Just wish they would mention sales in pounds, rather than carats. how can you even determine carats to a rough? Anyway, okay... guess I have to do each type seperately then. I was hoping to put the labradorite in with some red topaz I have to save on number of batches. Guess I'll be patient. I've gotten some filler ceramics from rocktumbler.com (all 3 sizes) so hopefully have everything I need now ...all 7s? I have bought all of my tumbling rough from The Rock Shed. Here is a picture of various rocks after running them thru their rough grind stage using 60/90 grit in a rotary tumbler. These are all wet, not polished yet.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 25, 2016 13:44:20 GMT -5
Well, it's been a month of running this material. I clean out the barrels once a week, inspect each rock and put the ones not ready back in. Add some new material to make up the difference. After the first week I added some ceramic media in the barrel also (maybe 25%). I also cut some of the obsidian using my tile saw to see what those pieces would look like. They look a little too "square". I like the random look of the stuff I busted with a rock and hammer. I've been adding about 8TB of 60/90 SiC each week with water to the bottom of the top layer of rocks. Today I jumped on the kitty litter bandwagon and threw in 1/2 cup to see how that impacts the slurry. I just added the last of my cut up pieces today. I've been keeping all the "ready for stage 2" obsidian in a jar of water. I dumped them out just to get a picture. Once my Lot-O is back in service, I'll start running these thru their final steps. Thank for looking and have a great day!
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 24, 2016 21:52:56 GMT -5
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 23, 2016 20:49:48 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. Might have to seriously consider that 50lb bag. That seems like a major league level of commitment!
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 23, 2016 13:28:17 GMT -5
OK, getting ready to order 25 pounds of rough grit from The Rock Shed. I've been thru 5lbs of 60/90 and a very small bag of 46/70. Not really enough to make a determination if it helped in any way. I have the QT-66 dual barrel 6lb tumbler. Just curious if anyone has some thoughts on the difference between these 2 grit sizes? I'll be running all other stages thru the Lot-O (120/220SiC, 500AO, 1000AO, AO Polish). Thanks in advance.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 23, 2016 13:18:33 GMT -5
PM sent
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 23, 2016 10:21:06 GMT -5
Beautiful. #12, 16 and 17 are my favorites. Great work!
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 23, 2016 7:19:08 GMT -5
I really need to get out of Chicago. The only thing I can "mine" around here would be the gravel between houses. Very nice!
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 22, 2016 21:18:56 GMT -5
I don't think it really needs to be stated, but I'm going to say it anyways - rockjunquie is a wonderful person! Thank you for the package you sent today. It should keep me busy for a bit.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 22, 2016 9:34:44 GMT -5
Great looking batch. I really like the rectangle shaped stone that is just about in the middle of your first picture (on your original post).
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 21, 2016 12:18:42 GMT -5
These look great. You should not hesitate to post more of your work!
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 21, 2016 9:50:07 GMT -5
I tried it on a couple of other circuits. Same issue. Today would have been 48 hours in 1000AO grit. Everything was rolling nicely last night and I added a few sprays of water even though it seemed "wet" enough. I sent an email to The Rock Shed and we'll see what happens. I can spend a little time troubleshooting when I get home from work.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 21, 2016 7:57:08 GMT -5
Well, my Lot-O appears to be dead. Everything was moving along nicely last night. When I got up this morning is was very quiet in the basement because the Lot-O was no longer running. I checked the breaker and it had tripped. The Lot-O was the only thing plugged in and it was on a 20A circuit. I reset the breaker and plugged the Lot-O back in. Heard a pop and the breaker tripped again. I filled the barrel up with water since I was already running late. I'll get everything cleaned out tonight and contact the company.
|
|
ChicagoDave
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2016
Posts: 720
|
Post by ChicagoDave on Sept 19, 2016 18:09:03 GMT -5
I just switched out to 1000AO and was looking over the rocks. I found a few that had some very small chips in them. Now, I could have missed them before, but I usually spend way too much time looking each rock over to decide when I'm done in the rough barrel. Is this just something that happens as edges are hitting against each other? Either way, I can put them back in the rough for a week.
Also, how much ceramic media do people add? I put a couple of big handfuls of both the small and large cylinders in my batch. When using these ceramics, should they be tumbled first to round out the edges?
Finally, is there an advantage to running for 48 hours instead of just 24? It seems the grit has broken down and done its job in 24 hours.
|
|