How Much
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ต.ค. 2022
- #rocktumbling #howmuchgrit #rocktumblingexperiments
Crystal Wellness Studio loves to do experiments! In this video we are tackling the age old question of how much grit to actually use when rock tumbling; and does Barrel size matter?
For this experiment we are dealing with Lortone Rotary Tumblers only.
QT66 - dual 6 pound barrels
45C - single 4 pound barrel
33B - dual 3 pound barrels
3-1.5 - triple 1.5 pound barrels
We ran each barrel for a 7-day cycle with no additional additives (Borax or Baking Soda) only stone, water, and grit. Each tumbler has a different RPM, so we were curious if that effected the amount of grit that should be used.
The first week, we used the 'recommended' amounts of silicon carbide grit:
1 Tablespoon per barrel capacity. Example, 6 pound barrel, 6 tablespoons of 60/90 (coarse) or 120/220 (medium).
Result: Wasted grit went down the drain.
The second week, we used 1 Tablespoon LESS than recommended. Example: 6 pound barrel, 5 Tablespoons of 60/90 (coarse) or 120/220 (medium).
Result: Much less grit went down the drain.
The third week, we duplicated week 2 with the same result.
Conclusion: It is my opinion, based upon this experiment that using the traditional recommended method will cause waste down the drain for a 7-day cycle. The different Lortone tumblers/barrel sizes rotate at different RPMs and therefore require less grit to be used than previously recommended. Since Stage One and Two are often repeated several times, this is a cost concern.
I suggest following the following table for Lortone Rotary Tumblers:
QT66 - 6 pound barrels: 5 Tablespoons of 60/90 (coarse) silicon carbide for each stage one run. 5 Tablespoons of 120/220 (medium) silicon carbide for stage two.
45C - 4 pound barrel: 3 Tablespoons of 60/90 (coarse) silicon carbide for each stage one run. 3 Tablespoons of 120/220 (medium) silicon carbide for stage two.
33B - 3 pound barrels: 2 Tablespoons of 60/90 (coarse) silicon carbide for each stage one run. 2 Tablespoons of 120/220 (medium) silicon carbide for stage two.
3-1.5 - 1.5 pound barrels: 2 TEASPOONS of 60/90 (coarse) silicon carbide for each stage one run. 2 TEASPOONS of 120/220 (medium) silicon carbide for stage two.
If you do a lot of rock tumbling like I do, then this will save you money in the long run. Again, since Stage One and Two are often repeated several times, this can become a cost concern for many people.
For the Aluminum Oxide Pre-Polishes, (Both 500 (stage 3) and 1,000 stage 4-I do both) the 'recommended' amounts are typically half of what you would use for silicon carbide. Example, 6 pound barrel, 3 Tablespoons of A.O. Pre-Polish.
While there is still a small amount of waste on a 7-day cycle, I'm going to continue with this recommendation.
Reasoning: Pre-Polish aluminum oxide cycles typically don't repeat, I'd rather have too much than not enough and risk having to repeat a Pre-Polish stage.
I did not experiment with Polish (my stage 5) for this experiment. It will be handled in its own video.
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Edit: Just to clarify, YOU SHOULD NEVER DUMP SLURRY DOWN AN INTERIOR PLUMBING/DRAIN SYSTEM!!! This laundry tub is set up outdoors and drains into an unused rock garden next to an exterior faucet.
I'm new at Rock Tumbling, thank you for sharing your knowledge to help us newbee's. Cheers Kev
Thank you! I've enjoyed making these!
Great question. Lots of variables: size of the barrel, rpms, type of stone, type of media, amount of media, amount of water, borax or not... I'm still tweaking my methods. I like your cerebral approach. I started with 4 tbs. in a 3 lb. barrel (rule of thumb) and have since reduced this to 3 tbs. You may have convinced me to reduce this to two. I don't have answers but here's my thoughts. Larger barrel need a higher ratio of grit due to more weight breaking down the grit faster. Softer rock needs less grit because the grit breaks down slower and it creates more rock dust. Ceramic media is the same as a softer rock. Smaller rocks may need more grit (what?!) because there is more surface area. Thanks for doing the hard work for us.👍 Be happy. Be kind. Never stop learning. Peace out ✌️🙂
Cool!
Best not let the water and sludge drain into your sink. It can solidify…think cement and you’ll be calling a plumber.
It's an old laundry tub that is outside and drains directly into an unused rock garden, next to an exterior faucet with the hose attached.
@@crystalwellnessstudio6171 people don't know that by watching your video and will be screwed pouring it down their drain.
@@tylerburris4045 I was gonna say the same thing. It's important that people know that this isnt just a sink drain. That grit can really mess up drains. A quick disclaimer would be useful.
@@crystalwellnessstudio6171good to see you followed the suggestions of your VIEWERS,& made a disclaimer.
Great job, thank you for your info. I too am wasting grit.👍
Glad it was helpful!
Your plumber must love you!
I'm surprised so many people say this! The utility tub is outside and drains directly into the rock garden.
@@crystalwellnessstudio6171 I didn't know. Thank you for the clarification! You might consider giving a three-second explanation during the video. Doing a good tutorial video is difficult, but the better you make the video, the more subscribers you get. Good luck!
Was interesting. Thanks.
Would it be possible to do an experiment using some diatomaceous earth with the grits?
Cheers,
Not really. Diatomaceous earth is too soft.
Have you tried any 30 grit to see if its faster than 60 or the other first stage grits? Your results here are pretty much what i see as well, cool video.
New to rock tumbling where do you get the barrels and what are they called?
The barrels come with the tumblers. These are all from Lortone units.
You would think that the more grit left over would be longer for the grit to work on the rocks. Is the point to expeditiously polish rocks or is it to save waste? I guess the question is if using more grit is faster or better.
Wasting grit is expensive when doing the amount of tumbling we do. Using more grit does not make the grind faster.
One day I used sea shells. It worked for glass
Going to try again
I don't think I have seen anyone using ceramic media during the first stage. I thought that was typically stage two or even three and on.
Depending upon what I'm tumbling, and how much space is in the barrel, I do use ceramics in stage one.
Ever have any drain problems from rinsing the grit and fine rocks and dirt into your utility sink?
Nope. Because this utility tub is outside and drains directly into a rock garden. I would never put it down the drain indoors.
How much price all grit medium?
I purchase all my grit from TheRockShed.com
I would be rincing outside NEVER down your household drains.
If you actually look at the background, this is AN OUTDOOR setup.
Every video I have watched they say not to dump grit down the drain. Why do you do that?
I NEVER dump grit down my indoor drains/plumbing. The setup I use is outdoors and drains into my rock garden.
@crystalwellnessstudio6171 best to explain this to your viewers at first to avoid many questions to answer. 😉
All you use for the finishing stage is a pre polish? No final polishing grit? Did I miss something? Wierd...
I typically use an A.O. polish, but this video was strictly for grit usage per barrel size. Polish is a different ball of wax so to speak. lol
Oh Sh!t down the drain?? You’re plumber will love you and your money😮
😉My setup is outside and drains into my rock garden.