salticidae
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2023
Posts: 14
|
Post by salticidae on Mar 24, 2023 0:22:16 GMT -5
Hello from Texas! I'm completely new to rock tumbling. In a span of a month, I went from collecting river rocks for fun, to watching videos on how to clean them, to buying an 18 lb vibratory tumbler, to buying all the media and fillers, to now being anxious to start tomorrow. Trying to get ahead of myself, I weighed a combined total of 18 lbs worth of small and large rocks along with small and large filler. As I understand it, I'm supposed to fill the bowl 2/3 high or more. No matter how much I try, it's more like 2/5 full. How can I bring it a level above 2/3 without passing 18 lbs? Thanks!! - Rubén
|
|
|
Post by vegasjames on Mar 24, 2023 0:37:20 GMT -5
Welcome Rubén from Southern Nevada.
I never weigh out the rocks. I go by volume in the barrels.
Good idea to run the ricks in a rotary tumbler though first to smooth any sharp edges and points to save on your vibe barrel
|
|
salticidae
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2023
Posts: 14
|
Post by salticidae on Mar 24, 2023 1:00:00 GMT -5
Welcome Rubén from Southern Nevada. I never weigh out the rocks. I go by volume in the barrels. Good idea to run the ricks in a rotary tumbler though first to smooth any sharp edges and points to save on your vibe barrel Oh? So if my vibe is for 18 lbs and I go over in weight based on volume, it's ok? I don't have a rotary - kind of went all out on the vibe and materials.
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Mar 24, 2023 1:01:48 GMT -5
Hey Rubén! Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! If you don't get a lot of responses to your question, you can always post the question in the tumbling section of the forum...as some people don't always check the "howdy" threads!
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Mar 24, 2023 1:04:31 GMT -5
Welcome Rubén from Southern Nevada. I never weigh out the rocks. I go by volume in the barrels. Good idea to run the ricks in a rotary tumbler though first to smooth any sharp edges and points to save on your vibe barrel Oh? So if my vibe is for 18 lbs and I go over in weight based on volume, it's ok? I don't have a rotary - kind of went all out on the vibe and materials. You "can" use the vibe only...but you're not going to get the "smooth" rocks. That comes from rotary tumbling. Rotary tumblers basically get rid of all the rough edges...while vibratory tumblers polish the rough edges. I have a UV-18 and have never weighed my loads. I've just filled 'er up to around 2/3 and let 'er rip! It's worked for me doing it that way. (Granted I'm more of a cabber than a tumbler though...)
|
|
dirtsifter
Cave Dweller
Co to za kamyczek?
Member since September 2022
Posts: 402
|
Post by dirtsifter on Mar 24, 2023 2:44:07 GMT -5
Greetings from north central New York. What I know about tumbling was first learned from Michigan Rocks youtube and then the fine folks here on the forum as well as other youtube creators such a meminor and LOL many others who is also on this forum. A rotary tumbler should be in your near future. A vibe tumbler won't shape the rocks neither will it remove pitting. Vibe tumblers are great for polishing. Check out this and other videos from Michigan Rocks. The creator is a member on this forum . Happy Tumbling. Check out the rock tumbling boards.
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Mar 24, 2023 6:25:43 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum salticidae. Great question- I've wondered the same thing & had a little panic the one time I weighted my rotary load. Thanks for bringing it up - useful info ! Patty
|
|
rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,364
|
Post by rocknewb101 on Mar 24, 2023 8:17:41 GMT -5
Hello and welcome to the forum from NE Ohio! You can find rotary tumblers for somewhat cheap - at least compared to the vibes. Loratone has the 3A that is about $112 on The Rock Shed's site - not sure if it can be found elsewhere more cheaply. Just caution, that there are cheaper rotary tumbler's out there but they often fall into the "you get what you pay for" category. Welcome to the lapidary arts!
|
|
|
Post by vegasjames on Mar 24, 2023 8:47:27 GMT -5
Welcome Rubén from Southern Nevada. I never weigh out the rocks. I go by volume in the barrels. Good idea to run the ricks in a rotary tumbler though first to smooth any sharp edges and points to save on your vibe barrel Oh? So if my vibe is for 18 lbs and I go over in weight based on volume, it's ok? I don't have a rotary - kind of went all out on the vibe and materials. Not really sure what the weights are about. Seems that a rock would have to be awfully dense to get 18 pounds in one of these bowls. Although, I guess we would have to take in to account the other things added such as water. I have never weighed out the rocks. I will see if I can find the video of the candy rhyolite I tumbled.
|
|
|
Post by vegasjames on Mar 24, 2023 8:55:57 GMT -5
This is the candy rhyolite I tumbled. 1 month in a 12 pound rotary tumbler with water only (no polish or grit), then 1 week in a UV-18 with water only.
|
|
salticidae
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2023
Posts: 14
|
Post by salticidae on Mar 24, 2023 9:03:58 GMT -5
Oh? So if my vibe is for 18 lbs and I go over in weight based on volume, it's ok? I don't have a rotary - kind of went all out on the vibe and materials. You "can" use the vibe only...but you're not going to get the "smooth" rocks. That comes from rotary tumbling. Rotary tumblers basically get rid of all the rough edges...while vibratory tumblers polish the rough edges. I have a UV-18 and have never weighed my loads. I've just filled 'er up to around 2/3 and let 'er rip! It's worked for me doing it that way. (Granted I'm more of a cabber than a tumbler though...) I went with a vibe because I had read they do a better and quicker job at smoothing rocks than rotaries, while keeping their shape. I'm going to return my new 18 lb vibe today... I think it's too much for me. I have nice 3 to 4 inch rocks, which is why I went big...but it's taking too much media to fill in the gaps and to bring it up the bowl 2/3 of the way. I'm going to order the B140 vibe by Thumler's, which is still pretty big at 15 lbs. I will also invest in a rotary but don't know which one to get.
|
|
salticidae
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2023
Posts: 14
|
Post by salticidae on Mar 24, 2023 9:05:02 GMT -5
Greetings from north central New York. What I know about tumbling was first learned from Michigan Rocks youtube and then the fine folks here on the forum as well as other youtube creators such a meminor and LOL many others who is also on this forum. A rotary tumbler should be in your near future. A vibe tumbler won't shape the rocks neither will it remove pitting. Vibe tumblers are great for polishing. Check out this and other videos from Michigan Rocks. The creator is a member on this forum . Happy Tumbling. Check out the rock tumbling boards. Oh yes! I've come across a few of his videos but haven't seen this one! Thanks!
|
|
salticidae
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2023
Posts: 14
|
Post by salticidae on Mar 24, 2023 9:11:18 GMT -5
Hello and welcome to the forum from NE Ohio! You can find rotary tumblers for somewhat cheap - at least compared to the vibes. Loratone has the 3A that is about $112 on The Rock Shed's site - not sure if it can be found elsewhere more cheaply. Just caution, that there are cheaper rotary tumbler's out there but they often fall into the "you get what you pay for" category. Welcome to the lapidary arts! Oh! I purchased my media this past week from them. I looked at the one you suggested, but it's only one 3 pounder. Wouldn't it be better if I had one with two 3 pounders? HF has one that's $70 with two 3 pounders. Is HF's rotary a low grade rotary?
|
|
salticidae
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2023
Posts: 14
|
Post by salticidae on Mar 24, 2023 9:16:55 GMT -5
This is the candy rhyolite I tumbled. 1 month in a 12 pound rotary tumbler with water only (no polish or grit), then 1 week in a UV-18 with water only.
Ohhhhhhhhhh woooow!!! These are nice!! Which 12 lb rotary do you have!?
|
|
rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,364
|
Post by rocknewb101 on Mar 24, 2023 9:41:24 GMT -5
Hello and welcome to the forum from NE Ohio! You can find rotary tumblers for somewhat cheap - at least compared to the vibes. Loratone has the 3A that is about $112 on The Rock Shed's site - not sure if it can be found elsewhere more cheaply. Just caution, that there are cheaper rotary tumbler's out there but they often fall into the "you get what you pay for" category. Welcome to the lapidary arts! Oh! I purchased my media this past week from them. I looked at the one you suggested, but it's only one 3 pounder. Wouldn't it be better if I had one with two 3 pounders? HF has one that's $70 with two 3 pounders. Is HF's rotary a low grade rotary? Great purchase! The rock shed has the best grit/polish around IMO. I've seen people who have had success with Harbor Freight tumblers, but they are definitely on the low-grade end. If you want to roll more rocks at a time then yes, the two-barrel would be better. I only have smaller barrels so I can't speak to the larger ones. I have a Nat Geo (lower grade, but has served me quite well, but there are plenty of folks who have had issues with them, but they have great customer service) rotary with a 2lb barrel, Thumler's MP-1 rotary that is a 2lb, and then the loratone 3A which is the 3lb. I also have a vibratory (Lot-o) that is a 4lb barrel that does all of my stage 2-4 rocks. I only tumble coarse grit in the rotaries. It can get quite overwhelming because there are so many options...
|
|
|
Post by vegasjames on Mar 24, 2023 9:44:58 GMT -5
This is the candy rhyolite I tumbled. 1 month in a 12 pound rotary tumbler with water only (no polish or grit), then 1 week in a UV-18 with water only.
Ohhhhhhhhhh woooow!!! These are nice!! Which 12 lb rotary do you have!? It is a homemade double 12 pound barrel tumbler I bought. So, no brand name.
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on Mar 24, 2023 12:02:37 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona! I don't tumble, so can't really answer your questions. What I do know though is that a lot of people use cheap gravel from Home Depot or Lowes to help fill their tumblers up during the coarse grind.
|
|
dirtsifter
Cave Dweller
Co to za kamyczek?
Member since September 2022
Posts: 402
|
Post by dirtsifter on Mar 25, 2023 15:27:02 GMT -5
Many folks use Harbor freight tumblers IMHO, purchase the extra warranty. If you can afford it, keep the big vibe.
I know how this addiction works. Prices will only go up. Lol
|
|
Roger
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,487
|
Post by Roger on Mar 25, 2023 20:46:23 GMT -5
Greetings from Austin I also have the ultra-vibe 18 that I am trying to learn how to correctly use. Perhaps we can share notes as we move forward Roger
|
|
salticidae
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2023
Posts: 14
|
Post by salticidae on Mar 28, 2023 22:37:36 GMT -5
Oh! I purchased my media this past week from them. I looked at the one you suggested, but it's only one 3 pounder. Wouldn't it be better if I had one with two 3 pounders? HF has one that's $70 with two 3 pounders. Is HF's rotary a low grade rotary? Great purchase! The rock shed has the best grit/polish around IMO. I've seen people who have had success with Harbor Freight tumblers, but they are definitely on the low-grade end. If you want to roll more rocks at a time then yes, the two-barrel would be better. I only have smaller barrels so I can't speak to the larger ones. I have a Nat Geo (lower grade, but has served me quite well, but there are plenty of folks who have had issues with them, but they have great customer service) rotary with a 2lb barrel, Thumler's MP-1 rotary that is a 2lb, and then the loratone 3A which is the 3lb. I also have a vibratory (Lot-o) that is a 4lb barrel that does all of my stage 2-4 rocks. I only tumble coarse grit in the rotaries. It can get quite overwhelming because there are so many options... Nice! Yes, there are so many options! I just purchased my first rotary - the 15 lbs, Model B Rock Tumbler by Thumler. It should be arriving soon!
|
|