Walker
starting to shine!
Member since July 2017
Posts: 31
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Post by Walker on Aug 11, 2017 18:21:03 GMT -5
Can you ruin a tumbler by trying to tumble rocks that are too soft?
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Post by Garage Rocker on Aug 11, 2017 18:23:33 GMT -5
No. What do you mean 'ruin a tumbler'?
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georgeb138
having dreams about rocks
Member since April 2017
Posts: 68
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Post by georgeb138 on Aug 11, 2017 18:30:09 GMT -5
Please elaborate. I have ruined stones that are "too soft". But the tumbler would only be ruined by ignoring maintenance, overloading or over tightening the belt on the pulleys as far as I know.
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Post by manofglass on Aug 11, 2017 18:33:49 GMT -5
Or tumbling the wrong kind of ceramic Did a nice job of eating the barrel
Walt
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Post by aDave on Aug 11, 2017 18:40:58 GMT -5
Walker, I agree with the above, but I'm going to take a bit different approach. What is your concern about soft stones that has led you to believe it might ruin a tumbler? The other answers are perfect. I'm just trying to get into your thought process that caused you to ask that. Maybe you got some bad information...just looking to correct a (potentially) faulty assumption about tumblers. Dave
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georgeb138
having dreams about rocks
Member since April 2017
Posts: 68
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Post by georgeb138 on Aug 11, 2017 18:41:22 GMT -5
Or tumbling the wrong kind of ceramic Did a nice job of eating the barrel Walt Please elaborate on this too! I have been breaking up ceramic dish ware recently. Plates, bowls and coffee cups. I tumbler them by themselves for a day or 2 to round the edges before adding them to my stones. Am I in danger of tearing up my barrels when I do this?
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Post by manofglass on Aug 11, 2017 19:07:31 GMT -5
PVC tumbler cans this ceramic messed up a new can in a week could not use it for stones made the plastic to thin walt
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napoleonrags
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2015
Posts: 474
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Post by napoleonrags on Aug 11, 2017 19:46:20 GMT -5
Welcome Walker.
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napoleonrags
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2015
Posts: 474
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Post by napoleonrags on Aug 11, 2017 19:46:51 GMT -5
PVC tumbler cans this ceramic messed up a new can in a week could not use it for stones made the plastic to thin walt
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napoleonrags
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2015
Posts: 474
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Post by napoleonrags on Aug 11, 2017 19:55:03 GMT -5
Nice Rube Goldberg tumbler manofglass. ETA (TBH IDK what ETA stands for, but it seems to be used in situations like these...): The above post by me had no comment, and I tried to delete. Is there a secret squirrel code to put in to delete? Whisky Tango Foxtrot? But I'm a tumbler. Born under punches. Colin
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Post by manofglass on Aug 11, 2017 20:00:44 GMT -5
button to the far right My Dad built that tumbler
walt
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Walker
starting to shine!
Member since July 2017
Posts: 31
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Post by Walker on Aug 12, 2017 8:35:51 GMT -5
No. What do you mean 'ruin a tumbler'? I dunno. Burn it out. Clog it up. Cause the tumbler not to operate properly.
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Walker
starting to shine!
Member since July 2017
Posts: 31
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Post by Walker on Aug 12, 2017 8:40:22 GMT -5
Please elaborate. I have ruined stones that are "too soft". But the tumbler would only be ruined by ignoring maintenance, overloading or over tightening the belt on the pulleys as far as I know. I want to experiment on some stones I think are too soft but I don't want to do it if it wrecks the tumbler. I don't care if it wrecks the rocks. I haven't bot a tumbler yet as I won't have time to use it until winter. But, I am a planner so I want to learn as much as possible before hand. I shall rely on the good auspices of the folks here to help me make the right choice when I do. Meanwhile, I just hunt for rocks.
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Walker
starting to shine!
Member since July 2017
Posts: 31
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Post by Walker on Aug 12, 2017 8:46:13 GMT -5
Walker , I agree with the above, but I'm going to take a bit different approach. What is your concern about soft stones that has led you to believe it might ruin a tumbler? The other answers are perfect. I'm just trying to get into your thought process that caused you to ask that. Maybe you got some bad information...just looking to correct a (potentially) faulty assumption about tumblers. Dave Dave: I'm just curious. I don't know anything about tumblers. Won't buy one until until closer to winter when I will be in one place long enough to use it. I collect river rocks that I just love the look of but think they may be too soft to tumble. So, if it won't hurt anything I will try them in the tumbler when I get it. For now I am just in the hunting and collecting phase. I have a tendency to plan ahead.
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Walker
starting to shine!
Member since July 2017
Posts: 31
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Post by Walker on Aug 12, 2017 8:48:43 GMT -5
PVC tumbler cans this ceramic messed up a new can in a week could not use it for stones made the plastic to thin walt LOL! Thanks for the tip Walt. It looks like dog food. I think I'll stick with stone stones.
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Walker
starting to shine!
Member since July 2017
Posts: 31
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Post by Walker on Aug 12, 2017 8:49:46 GMT -5
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Post by Garage Rocker on Aug 12, 2017 9:00:48 GMT -5
No. What do you mean 'ruin a tumbler'? I dunno. Burn it out. Clog it up. Cause the tumbler not to operate properly. Ok, that helps. Your stones are tumbling in a sealed barrel and won't affect the mechanism of the tumbler at all. As mentioned above, you may not get the shiniest rocks if they are soft, but no harm to the machine. Even if the rocks turn to mud in the barrel, you'll just have a mess to clean up when you open it.
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Post by aDave on Aug 12, 2017 11:35:35 GMT -5
I haven't bot a tumbler yet as I won't have time to use it until winter. Walker, Garage Rocker addressed the soft stones concern you had, so there's no sense repeating it. But, the statement above caught my attention. Is your work area heated in the winter? If not, freezing could be an issue...depending on how cold you get. Further, I don't know all the logistical problems of tumbling in freezing weather, but to me it seems that barrel cleanouts and slurry disposal could be difficult. I seem to recall reading statements that some folks put away their tumbling equipment during the winter, but maybe I misread. Perhaps others who live in snow country will jump in to offer some input. Good luck. Dave
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Post by Peruano on Aug 12, 2017 13:07:55 GMT -5
In a vibe, material that is real soft will thicken the slurry quickly and need more frequent maintenance and more water added. When things get too thick, the whole mix will solidify, or puddingize with no movement and no progress. Close attention and frequent checks should allow you to tumble anything. Particularly soft stuff can be tumbled dry with media like corn cobs and pistachio shells with grit, but only you can determine what is right by experimenting. BTW river stones are not usually soft, because if they were they would not last long. If at first you don't succeed, try. . . . etc.
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Walker
starting to shine!
Member since July 2017
Posts: 31
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Post by Walker on Aug 12, 2017 13:22:13 GMT -5
I dunno. Burn it out. Clog it up. Cause the tumbler not to operate properly. Ok, that helps. Your stones are tumbling in a sealed barrel and won't affect the mechanism of the tumbler at all. As mentioned above, you may not get the shiniest rocks if they are soft, but no harm to the machine. Even if the rocks turn to mud in the barrel, you'll just have a mess to clean up when you open it. Thanks that's exactly what I needed to know.
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