Rock tumblers are machines that are designed to polish rocks and stones. When used correctly, the machine will provide a sleek, uniform polish. If the machine isn’t used correctly, the user will encounter a handful of issues, with overheating being a possibility. However, foaming is a more common issue. Typically, this shouldn’t be a problem, even if it seems concerning.
Still, it is wise to familiarize yourself with the potential reasons and what you can do to deal with the problem.
What Causes Foaming In A Rock Tumbler?
Rock tumblers create a lot of force and friction. As a result, the items inside are going to be tossed around for hours. As this happens, the materials inside the tumbler will go through a transformation. In some cases, the rocks will release gasses that cause a foamy substance to develop. Alternatively, the foam could be caused by grit. It might’ve been broken down completely leaving behind a noticeable foam.
Switching to a different grit may help prevent foam from showing up inside your tumbler. You might’ve opened the barrel too soon as well. Besides trying to find out what caused this problem, you need to prevent it from happening again.
Organic Debris
Natural rocks are exposed to various elements, including rain, moisture, snow, sleet, dust, and wind. They are also exposed to organic materials from animals, plants, and trees. Some hobbyists tend to clean their natural rocks before tumbling them. However, there is no guarantee it will remove all the organic build-up.
Any leftover organic material on the surface of the rocks could cause froth. When exposed to the tumbling action, water, and media, the organic material will start to foam. Most experts believe foaming or froth will not hinder the outcome. It is always a good idea to investigate further when foam forms inside the barrel.
Is Foam A Concern?
Once you’ve noticed foam in your tumbler barrel, you’re likely going to be very concerned. However, this may not be a serious problem. Instead, it might’ve been something that you did wrong. For instance, there is a chance that you opened the barrel a bit too early because you were impatient. If you open the tumbler after a day, you’ll likely find foam in the barrel. Even though users know that they have to tumble the rocks for longer, it is common for new users to open the barrel sooner.
If you only find a small amount of foam, it shouldn’t be a major issue. It could also be a sign that you haven’t cleaned the barrel enough.
Adding Borax
The tumbler process can be rough on the items inside. After all, the rocks are going to be thrown around until they’re superbly polished. The process can cause the materials to mix and develop into a foamy substance. This is why it is vital to properly clean the barrel and stones after each phase. Using the right cleaning agent can help too. Many experienced users recommend adding Borax to the barrel before each stage.
A tablespoon of Borax should be enough to stop foam from developing. If this doesn’t stop the problem, the tumbler may need to be burped.
Burping The Tumbler
During the rock tumbling, there is a chance that the rocks are going to release gasses. The other substances can as well. Once this happens, a thick muddy substance can develop inside the barrel. Alternatively, you might notice a foamy material. The mess must be cleaned up before moving to the next phase of the tumbling process. If the problem isn’t dealt with, the gas may accumulate until it causes the lid to pop off.
Unfortunately, this can be catastrophic if you don’t check on the tumbler regularly. It is always important to keep an eye on this by looking for gas build-up. For instance, look for inflation, a muddy substance leaking from the lid, and bubbles coming from the barrel. If you notice these issues or foam, try burping the tumbler to relieve the pressure.
Be sure to wear goggles and gloves to protect yourself. Turn the machine off. Now, begin slowly opening the lid. Make sure that you open the barrel away from you. If anything shoots out, you will be out of the way. Burping the barrel can help remove the pressure and prevent foam from developing in your tumbler.
Using Baking Soda
Using baking soda is another good way to prevent foam. baking soda and Borax are regularly used during the tumbling process. While they’re similar, there are a few differences. For instance, baking soda has a pH of 8 while Borax has a pH of 9.5. It is believed that adding baking soda to the tumbler can help prevent gas from building up.
However, this is not a surefire way to rectify the problem. While it can help, it may not stop the gas in all situations. Instead, it is best to learn how to burp the barrel.
Cleaning Stones First
Properly cleaning the stones before tumbling them may help prevent foam from developing during the process. Just make sure that you’re cleaning the stones correctly. Using certain chemicals could increase the likelihood that you’re going to see foam. Instead, it is generally best to use water and a toothbrush. Use a water hose to rinse the dirt and debris from the rocks.
You can use an old toothbrush to scrub the surface. Once you’ve done this, rinse the rocks again to remove the freed debris. Cleaning the rocks may help, but you should still learn how to burp your tumbler.
Summary
Froth build-up inside a rock tumbling barrel is generally not an issue. As mentioned above, Borax and baking soda can help combat foaming. It is a good idea to determine if these products will not alter the outcome in advance. There is also a slight possibility the ingredients in Borax and baking soda could damage the integrity of natural stones. Do your homework to protect the integrity of the stones while ensuring the best outcome.