This is the second batch tumbling stones from Kakanui. These stones were collected in the morning heading south at Seadown Beach. There was quite a few pieces of glass included in this batch and I took them out of the tumbler after the 220grit tumble. A whooping 19 stones also needed to go back to the 80/100grit which meant I added 14 stones (originally from Batch 30, sitting in redo holding box) to this batch. It still ended up being quite a “light” load so I used a LOT of plastic pellets at Stage 2 to help make up the load.
Batch 34: 3lb Tumbler 1
Stage 1: 80/100grit
Number of Stones: 75
Weight in: 901g
4 Tbspns of 80/100grit – no pellets
Days Tumbling: 10
Weight out: 775g – loss of 126grams
Stage 2: 220grit
Number of Stones: 69
(Took out glass + 19 stones for redo & added in 14 stones from Batch 30)
Weight in: 763g
4 Tbspns of 220grit – more pellets added to make up the load
Days Tumbling: 10
Weight out: 628g – loss of 135grams
Even though the 19 stones removed for redo were replaced with 14 stones originally from Batch 30, the load was unable to move onto 400grit. There just wasn’t enough stones to make a load even with adding more pellets to fill in the space. I decided to hold these ones until more Kakanui stones are ready to tumble in 400grit. Unfortunately holding up this batch also means that Batch 30 continues to hold for a polish tumble!
Transfer to 4lb Tumbler 2
Stage 3: 400grit – Combined with Batch 37 + Batch 30
Number of Stones: 57+89=146
Weight in: 635+ 988=1503 grams
7 Tbspns of 400grit – pellets added
Days Tumbling: 11
Weight out: 1253 grams – loss of 250 grams
Soap Tumble: 2 days (cos life just got in the way!)
Batch 30 (also tumbling stones from Kakanui) has been waiting patiently for this batch to be ready for polishing. When all the stones were put together I decided that they would all benefit from a 600grit tumble for 10 days. Quite a number of stones had surface pitting that just need a little more smoothing out without taking away too much of the shape.
Batch 34: Pre-tumble
Batch 34: After Stage 1
Stage 3b: 600grit
Number of Stones: 132+69=201
Weight in: 1772 grams
7 Tbspns of 400grit
Pellets added – did not add Tbspn of borax
Days Tumbling: 10
Weight out: 1662 grams – loss of 110 grams
Stage 4: Polish Mix
Number of Stones: 201
Weight in: 1644 grams
Polish Mix (2nd use): 9 Tbspns of polish mixed with 600mls of clean water. Pellets added.
Days Tumbling: 11
Weight out: 1641 grams – loss of 3 grams
Stage 5: Burnish
Number of Stones: 201
Weight in: 1641 grams
2 Tablespoons of borax
Pellets added
Days Tumbling: 3
Polished Stones of Interest: Batch 34
Batch 34 | 3lb Tumbler 1 | Kakanui | 11 October – 31 October 2023
4lb Tumbler | Batch 34 , Batch 37 , Batch 30 | Kakanui | 21 November – 28 December 2023
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