redwings1
starting to shine!
Member since July 2009
Posts: 45
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Post by redwings1 on Mar 30, 2019 11:33:00 GMT -5
I have had moderate success using different fillers in my vibe with different hardnesses of material. The first rule always is "don't mix rocks of different hardnesses in the same batch" , yet we throw ceramics in as filler with every type of rock, with ceramic being harder than most of them? Just wondering out loud.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 30, 2019 11:45:47 GMT -5
Ceramic likely softer and will wear out over time. With the angle cut cylinders you will see the angled ends start to round first.
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Post by Rockindad on Mar 30, 2019 15:50:04 GMT -5
I believe ceramics are about a mohs 8, harder than what most of us tumble. However there is a great cushioning force provided by using them due to their size. You could hit a bag filled with ceramic shapes and it probably would not hurt because of the impact absorption. I wouldn't want to hit a solid slab of ceramic though.
Al
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Mar 30, 2019 18:14:57 GMT -5
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victor1941
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2011
Posts: 1,975
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Post by victor1941 on Mar 30, 2019 21:03:48 GMT -5
Ceramics also polish as they wear since they are aluminum oxide and this is what I use in the vibe after the initial grind. My vibe use is mostly for cabs.
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Kai
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2018
Posts: 331
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Post by Kai on Mar 31, 2019 13:19:51 GMT -5
How do you know if a ceramic filler won't scratch rocks in finer steps and prevent them from taking really fine polish? I'm not talking about grit getting caught in the media but the media itself, being hard, acting like coarse grit.
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Post by fernwood on Mar 31, 2019 14:21:55 GMT -5
I read somewhere here that different ceramic media are comprised of different compounds. Some are harder than others due to this.
Two different types of ceramics were included in a batch of stuff I purchased used last summer. Both were in after market containers. Some were highly polished, 5/8" to 3/4" triangles. Maybe 1/8" thick. They are similar to pre-polish stage glossy rocks in appearance. The rest were unpolished, never used, 1 1/2" triangles with curved/twisted extensions coming from the corners. About 1/4" thick.
I used the larger ones for the first time recently with Labradorite in first stage of rotary. Some of the corner twists broke off. So, I think the larger ones are much softer than the smaller ones.
I have used the smaller triangles through all stages of tumbling with no problems with gloss. I do have ones set aside for each step.
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redwings1
starting to shine!
Member since July 2009
Posts: 45
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Post by redwings1 on Apr 1, 2019 9:28:06 GMT -5
I only use mixed ceramic tumbling media because (1) it gets the tumbling slurry into all the nooks and crannies of the rocks . ( 2) I has a cushioning effect preventing the big rocks from breaking or marring the smaller rocks, and (3) it doesn't capture or hold the grit so ceramic media can be easy washed and reused for different stages. rocktumbler.com/tips/using-the-right-tumbling-media/Thanks for all your responses everyone! Excellent article you attached, Gator. I think it pretty well sums up most questions about ceramics, including Kai's question about the abrasiveness of some ceramics themselves (last paragraph). I assume if it is purchased from a source selling it specifically for rock tumbling, it probably has no abrasives in it and can be used for polishing
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mab63t
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2019
Posts: 2
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Post by mab63t on Apr 11, 2019 9:46:30 GMT -5
My cousin works as a ceramics class teacher. Can I just get a bunch of broken ceramic that’s been through the kiln and crush it up to use as media?
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,170
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Post by RWA3006 on Apr 12, 2019 18:48:23 GMT -5
My cousin works as a ceramics class teacher. Can I just get a bunch of broken ceramic that’s been through the kiln and crush it up to use as media? Good question. I suspect that not all ceramics are made equal and some are probably less suitable than others. I see no reason why you couldn't try it as an experiment. If you try it be sure to report back to us so we learn your findings. BTW, welcome to the forum.
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Post by fernwood on Apr 12, 2019 20:58:47 GMT -5
Not all ceramics are created equal. I used to do pottery and ceramics. If the pieces have only been bisque fired, then worth trying. I would run all pieces through various stages of tumbling on their own. Then reserve stage specific pieces to use with rocks. Reserve some pieces that have not been tumbled for rough tumble for rocks that need a lot of shaping.
I am a little envious that you have a source for this type of ceramics. I am looking for one.
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Kai
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2018
Posts: 331
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Post by Kai on Apr 13, 2019 20:58:04 GMT -5
Like it was already said: not all are equal. I already tried using broken shards of a ceramic pot as filler and they literally disappeared, nothing remained of them but slightly more reddish slurry than usual even though ceramic is supposed to be harder!
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Post by fernwood on Apr 14, 2019 6:46:43 GMT -5
Here is a photo of the two types of ceramics I use. The smaller ones had been used many times before I received them. They have not changed in size/appearance, other than the ones I use for pre-polish/polish has taken on a gloss. The larger ones were new. Here is what they look like after going through 2.5 weeks of stage 1-2 of tumbling a mohs 5-6 rock. The larger ones are softer than the smaller ones. They appear to have a different composition to the eye.
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Apr 14, 2019 7:21:18 GMT -5
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mab63t
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2019
Posts: 2
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Post by mab63t on Jun 8, 2019 7:08:38 GMT -5
Thanks!!
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