The Results: Can you use sand to tumble rocks?

The better question would be "Should" you use sand and the answer is no. I messed up my scientific method (I'm not a scientist.) but the results are still pretty clear - the sand was almost completely ineffective.

[@djasteress6068]

You know what, I might try some sand and borax or dish soap to clean my rocks. Those really did look clean.

[@shastastan1935]

Very Good videos and info. Thanks!

[@edcctf]

Thank you so much! This was a fun video for me... it proves I'm always live... when that barrel was heavier I was gobsmacked! How in the world could they have gained weight??? I'm fairly certain I was right though, it had to have been the difference in the weight of the barrels.

[@dancanrv2]

Have you tried sand blasting sand ... for stage 1 ?

[@edcctf]

I haven’t. If it is silicone carbide I’m sure it would work. If it’s just sand probably not. I don’t have an easy supplier so I doubt it would be cheaper anyway.

[@lelonbond6682]

you have to use white silica sand quartz

[@robotapartments]

Thank you for the video! Two Questions: I've never seen anyone use hot water to rinse their rocks off. Do you do that for any particular purpose? I would imagine hot water will rinse more off than cold water would, but I'm afraid that it would possibly crack the rocks. Do you think that could happen or has that ever happened in your experience? If not I would use hot water since like I mentioned, I figure it would clean them off better. My second question is, I have often cleaned my rocks after each stage by running them for a short time with water and baking soda/borax/ivory soap. However, I have had a few of my rocks crack when I have done that. Besides not taking a shortcut and actually going through and cleaning them thoroughly individually do you have any advice for cleaning them in between stages? Thanks

[@edcctf]

Lol, I honestly rinse with warm water just because it feels better on my hands. It’s never hot enough to crack anything. You’ve seen I don’t burnish between stages, but my rocks have come out fine. If I had to redo a batch because it came out badly I’d probably try that, but generally I just haven’t needed to! Thanks for the questions! I never even thought about the water in the sink! When I initially rinse outside that’s cold, but inside I use warm just for my hands.

[@robotapartments]

@@edcctf Thanks for reply so fast. I have a zillion questions for ya but I won't bother you with all of them lol. But I did have one last quick question if you don't mind. One time I had an issue where the screw to tighten down the top seized. I tried everything to loosen it, but it ended up bending and eventually breaking. Now I use some kind of oil (3in1 or equivalent) and will take a qtip and lightly oil it to prevent it from seizing up again. Have you ever had that problem before? I have not had that happen again to me since I started adding that to my routine. Thanks again. P.S.: If you ever have hand issues I 200% recommend O'Keefes or the CVS equivalent. (My day job tears my hands up.) Thank you sir!

[@edcctf]

@@robotapartments For some reason YT held this comment, so I just saw it. I've never had a problem with the screw at the top, but a little oil sounds like a good idea. With all the water involved those posts could easily get rusty or just corroded.

[@earthlingjohn]

​@@edcctf One effect of washing with warm water is that the warmed rocks dry faster