bgiant
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2012
Posts: 13
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Post by bgiant on Oct 2, 2012 15:34:57 GMT -5
Okay, just came real close to making the worlds most expensive concreate...I think i had way too much mesh..The instructions from my vibe tumbler said 3 /4 full of rocks and/or medium. water, mesh...But the water i added was too much it seems and i used mesh to thicken it. After 2 days the rocks were all stuck and not moving.
How much water is correct?
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Post by Bikerrandy on Oct 2, 2012 15:58:45 GMT -5
In a vibe you apply water with a spray bottle, just enough to make the grit cling to the rocks. The rocks should be a nice solid dark gray color, you should see nothing but gray. Keep spraying until the rocks are moving in a rapid cyclone effect coming up from the sides and going back down through the center of the bowl. When you see it, you'll know.
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 2, 2012 17:37:54 GMT -5
A lot of people rinse the rocks in a colander and dump them in dripping wet. Add grit (very little compared to rotary tumblers) and observe motion. If it moves well add no water. If sluggish add a spritz or a few drops of water, go away for several minutes and check again. Once a good movement starts leave it alone until a slurry starts to form slowing it down. At that time add very small amounts of water until initial movement returns. After first grit (which should not be coarser than 220 or 120/220) the process gets much easier. All brands of vibe tumblers are designed to run damp, not wet. You should never see water splashing. Over watering causes the grit to settle to the bottom and wear holes in the bowl while the rocks rotate merrily above the grit.
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bgiant
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2012
Posts: 13
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Post by bgiant on Oct 3, 2012 10:29:57 GMT -5
What would be the average length of time of running the tumbler for all stages? 4 days for the 220 mesh?, 2 days on the next two steps each?
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Oct 3, 2012 23:10:02 GMT -5
I like to run 4-5 days on 220 stage if my rocks have not gone through the rotary first. Then 2 days each stage until polish time. I polish for 4-5 days here also. Before I remove the bowl with polished rocks I add warm water and borax to cover the rocks and let run for 30 mins. or so. Leave them covered in water until it is time to rinse with high pressure water. This keeps polish from drying out in crevices and cracks before they get rinsed well.
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Oct 3, 2012 23:21:49 GMT -5
I like to run 4-5 days on 220 stage if my rocks have not gone through the rotary first. Then 2 days each stage until polish time. I polish for 4-5 days here also. Before I remove the bowl with polished rocks I add warm water and borax to cover the rocks and let run for 30 mins. or so. Leave them covered in water until it is time to rinse with high pressure water. This keeps polish from drying out in crevices and cracks before they get rinsed well. . I hate not having access to borax soap!!!!!! I must live in the only town not carrying it in the U.S.!!! but on the plus side ... I just ordered my vibe tumbler and should have it by next Thursday!!!
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 4, 2012 9:25:43 GMT -5
Mario, I ordered a bunch of old school Ivory Soap bars off Amazon (I think I got 32 bars for like $15) - anyhow I just use a cheese grater with the real fine grater and shred the soap into the barrel. My shine has been pretty decent after the ivory and it is pretty inexpensive. I'd be willing to bet even dollar-store bar soap would work shredded up like this, but everyone used to use ivory soap flakes so i went with ivory.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Oct 4, 2012 23:07:46 GMT -5
I think that Ivory is favored because of the pureness of it. It also kicks ass on trotlines set out for catfish!
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