I have got some good results by leaving rocks in with coarse grit for 7 to 8 days then going straight to fine after a couple of hours in water and dishwashing liquid. I find that the coarse grains break down and are finer than medium after this time. Some plastic beads of various sizes in with the rocks also help polish any concave areas but only use each lot of beads with the same grit as they trap a fair bit in the holes.
Tumbling Rocks
- Thread starter BigWave
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As Dave79 said do not ever use the same plastic beads with different grits. I have successfully used crushed peach and nectarine shells crushed in a dolly pot 
After about 3 or 4 lots od stones ie. 12 to 14 weeks of tumbling you may find your belt will need tightening a bit. I am at the stage now my belt needs replacing. They aren't dear even an "o" ring from a Tractor dealership would work. I found I had to angle my tumbler to get it to tumble because the belt was that worn. Also do follow the oiling instructions as those rollers do a lot of revolutionions. I have mine in my shed because they are fairly noisy. The barrels get a bit warm from the motor going constantly so on a 40 degree day I switch mine off.
Cheers
After about 3 or 4 lots od stones ie. 12 to 14 weeks of tumbling you may find your belt will need tightening a bit. I am at the stage now my belt needs replacing. They aren't dear even an "o" ring from a Tractor dealership would work. I found I had to angle my tumbler to get it to tumble because the belt was that worn. Also do follow the oiling instructions as those rollers do a lot of revolutionions. I have mine in my shed because they are fairly noisy. The barrels get a bit warm from the motor going constantly so on a 40 degree day I switch mine off.
Cheers
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orings don't last very long at all been their and done that I found a hair band in the cheap shop and they last about a week and cost about 2 dollars for about 20 of themWishfull said:As Dave79 said do not ever use the same plastic beads with different grits. I have successfully used crushed peach and nectarine shells crushed in a dolly pot
After about 3 or 4 lots od stones ie. 12 to 14 weeks of tumbling you may find your belt will need tightening a bit. I am at the stage now my belt needs replacing. They aren't dear even an "o" ring from a Tractor dealership would work. I found I had to angle my tumbler to get it to tumble because the belt was that worn. Also do follow the oiling instructions as those rollers do a lot of revolutionions. I have mine in my shed because they are fairly noisy. The barrels get a bit warm from the motor going constantly so on a 40 degree day I switch mine off.
Cheers
Or a strip of leather works too..... Good to see you try new things Wishful... There's plenty out there... :Y:
I like peanut shells cause you need beer to wash down the peanuts...
LW....
I like peanut shells cause you need beer to wash down the peanuts...
LW....
So, after 6 days of coarse grit, they are nearing stage 1 completion (will remove and wash after 8 days). Many look really good (when still wet) - particularly the black banded red jasper.
If most are looking good then, as Dave79 says, I'll probably go straight to fine grit on these with plastic beads (normally stage 3), returning un-finished stones to the next lot of coarse grit (Stage 1).
Have bought a second Lortone 3A as I want to have multi stages happening at once, and have so much more promising rock to tumble (~$384 electricity per each complete job).
My next trip North starts late April, where I'll pick up more rocks, so will be overloaded on my return unless I can finish most before then.
Should have purchased the 33B first up
If most are looking good then, as Dave79 says, I'll probably go straight to fine grit on these with plastic beads (normally stage 3), returning un-finished stones to the next lot of coarse grit (Stage 1).
Have bought a second Lortone 3A as I want to have multi stages happening at once, and have so much more promising rock to tumble (~$384 electricity per each complete job).
My next trip North starts late April, where I'll pick up more rocks, so will be overloaded on my return unless I can finish most before then.
Should have purchased the 33B first up
Give them a couple of hours tumbling with water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid between stages to remove any remnants of the previous grit and they should be good for polish after another 6 to 8 days. I wish I had more than one 2 barrel tumbler so I didn't have to wait so long.
Another tip that I have found works well for me is different Tumbling Barrels for different Grits... That way you will never get cross-contamination of Grits... Sometimes the grits just wont come out and seems to 'penetrate' the rubber barrels...
lw....
lw....
Thanks D79 & LW. Good advice there. I may buy some extra tumbling barrels for finer grits.
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