taenerys
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2023
Posts: 5
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Post by taenerys on Dec 9, 2023 17:18:28 GMT -5
Hey folks! I’ve got everything from quartz and Mexican crazy lace, to labradorite and septarian. I’m assuming there’s a learning curve here. Also, the instructions say I can use 60/90 in it, but I thought most shaping was done in a rotary first? Thanks all!  |
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Post by chris1956 on Dec 9, 2023 17:40:05 GMT -5
Welcome from Missouri.
I would do the shaping in a rotary and then switch to mini. But you could do all stages in a mini if you don't have a rotary. If you only have one barrel, you might consider doing 220 grit in the rotary also and then use the mini for pre-polish and then polish. If you haven't tumbled before, you might start with rocks that you can collect yourself if possible or something you can get cheap (harder landscape rock in some parts of the country) and once you have a feel for things move up to purchased material. Also, don't mix hard and soft rocks together.
Once thing I have found with the mini barrels is that stuff tends to stick to the inside and you really have to work at it to clean it up. Thus the concern of having larger grit carry on to later stages if you only have one barrel.
Don't forget to post pictures once you get going.
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 9, 2023 23:12:02 GMT -5
So...your intro post in October says you have two Lortone 33bs. I'd definitely do your initial grinds and shaping in the rotaries...then use the mini-sonic for the final stages... You'd be assuming correctly on the "learning curve"! LOL  |
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Dec 10, 2023 16:23:46 GMT -5
I love my mini. I run 60/90 and 120/220 in the rotaries then 500 and 1000 in the mini. I then switch barrels and run AO in the mini as well. A second barrel is a must as the barrels are pretty porous and can easily trap grit. There is a bit of a learning curve. DO NOT FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS THAT CAME WITH IT!!!! They are terrible and will waste so much grit! My grit amounts for 500 and 1000 are a 1/2 tablespoon and for AO I use 1/2 a teaspoon. Ceramics are a must (or some kind of small filler). I use Berber Agates as filler as they come out so nice, as well as small ceramic balls (6mm I think) and Med and Large cylinders. I use separate Ceramics for polish, but use the same ones for the 500 and 1000. I prefer AO 500 and 1000 over SiC as it seems to work better in the vibe. When I started out I only ran at about 1/2 speed, but now I run between 3/4 and full. It does shave a couple days off the run.
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