Michel
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2022
Posts: 13
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Post by Michel on Oct 9, 2023 14:18:29 GMT -5
Hello all,
Since I started tumbling, I have been using plastic pellets. Now that I want to use ceramic media, I do not know the best way to pre-shape them. Should I just tumble them ? Should I had some grit (One tea spoon per pound ?) ? Should I make six different batches (60 - 120 - 500 - 1000 - POLISH - BURNISHING) ?
Thank you for your help,
Michel
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Post by Starguy on Oct 9, 2023 14:44:08 GMT -5
Depending on what you are tumbling, you may not need ceramics at all. It works good as filler or if there aren’t enough smalls in the batch.
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Post by aDave on Oct 9, 2023 15:53:53 GMT -5
Hello all, Since I started tumbling, I have been using plastic pellets. Now that I want to use ceramic media, I do not know the best way to pre-shape them. Should I just tumble them ? Should I had some grit (One tea spoon per pound ?) ? Should I make six different batches (60 - 120 - 500 - 1000 - POLISH - BURNISHING) ? Thank you for your help, Michel I was also a plastic pellet user when I was doing all rotary stages, and I used them for every step following the first stage. I didn't start using ceramics until I did my finishing with a vibe tumbler, as I was very happy with how the pellets worked out for me. Unlike plastic pellets which are dedicated to a particular stage, ceramics can be moved along with your rocks through the various stages. Grit will not embed in them like it might in plastic, so all you have to do is wash them well. Personally, I would not use ceramics in stage 1. There's no sense "wasting" grit and grinding action on something like ceramics. Have a good mix of rocks, and you should be okay. I've not prepped ceramics in my rotaries, but in a vibe, I ran them in 120/220 for a short time just to knock off the sharp edges. I'd have to imagine you could do the same with your rotary, but you might want to run for a day. Hope this helps. Good luck.
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geoff59
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2022
Posts: 280
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Post by geoff59 on Oct 9, 2023 17:17:56 GMT -5
24-48 hours max in #220. You don’t need a full load of grit either, about half is plenty. That’s how I’ve done it when I thought it necessary. In a rotary tumbler.
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ashley
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2023
Posts: 919
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Post by ashley on Oct 9, 2023 18:11:17 GMT -5
I dont prep them at all. I just throw them in with a batch of rocks.
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Post by vegasjames on Oct 9, 2023 18:55:08 GMT -5
I just put mine in the rotary with some really rough chalcedony and water and let them run a while.
Rarely ever use the ceramic pellets though. I prefer to use the chips from breaking up the rocks as my fill.
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ctxtumblebug
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 59
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Post by ctxtumblebug on Oct 10, 2023 0:17:28 GMT -5
I use small pieces of Llano Uplift Quartz for filler and it turns out really nice along with the rest of the rocks that I tumble.
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dshanpnw
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2020
Posts: 913
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Post by dshanpnw on Oct 10, 2023 6:40:31 GMT -5
I have ceramic media for each stage. I only use it in the coarse 60/90 stage when tumbling specific rocks such as rose quartz in a 3 pound barrel, or as filler for one or two large rocks in a 12 pound barrel. It definitely comes in handy when you are tumbling the more fragile material. I do not shape or run the ceramics in a coarse stage before using it in the finer stages. I use it new in whatever stage needs it and after one or two runs it becomes just right, and I haven't experienced any damage to the rocks.
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