First time using Vibratory tumbler

I often use my vibe to remove calcite/lime and clean up rocks we find. Most everything here in central Texas is covered with the thick layer of calcite and lime. Not sure how other folks work their vibes (I figured out my method by trial and error), but I run my raytech 5 packed 2/3rds full with ceramics and small agates. Without the cushion of additional media, my vibe damages the rocks.

I rinse rocks and media off before putting them in the bowl, turn it on and sprinkle nearly 2 tsp of 180-220 SiC grit. Often the wet rocks and media have enough moisture to get it going, and I keep a spray bottle next to it to add as needed. I check it a few times during the first 30 minutes or so to make sure it’s cycling well, and then it’s fine for the rest of the day. I check in the evening and as needed. Typically, when I’m cleaning off rocks, I will run them for one-two days.

You definitely have too much water if it’s pooling and bouncing around in the bottom (I think you have too much water, because I can see it literally sitting in the bottom of the bowl), and you definitely have too little water if things are not moving and cycling. Too much water causes the grit to settle to the bottom of the bowl, it can wear the bowl down at the bottom and doesn’t do much good for the rocks. So I err on the side of caution and start with a low amount of moisture.

When I do end up with too much water in the bowl, I simply drain half of it out or more. I let the slurry dry, then use it for developing slurry in future tumbles. It can take some experimentation to find what works for your machine and style. I’m sure you’ll get other recommendations. There are literally as many ways to polish a rock as there are to skin a cat. Polishing rocks is much nicer though. People get upset if you skin the neighborhood cats.

Hey Max!

It might be a smidge too much, but hard to tell for me. If you've got "splashing" then it's too much...


EDIT - Y'all were posting while I was slow-typing! LOL - Great response velodromed! 

How's the action? Are the rock circulating well? Looks like you've got mostly medium to medium large size rocks. Some variation can be beneficial. The ceramics that Velodromed mentioned would fill that bill. Some pea gravel would also work. You'll have a lot more stuff rubbing against the surfaces with some "littles" in there.

I have uploaded a quick video of the rocks movement. Obviously it's a different style barrel to the Lot o ones so assume the motion will be different.

streamable.com/p3j8va

The movement in your tumbler should resemble what you see in this video:



As Velodromed and Rockbrain mentioned, you will need smaller tumbling media (ceramic, pea gravel, or small agates) mixed in with the rocks to get proper movement. When the rocks are moving properly, they are circulating around in the bowl and rubbing against the tumbling media and themselves. When they more or less stay in place and vibrate against each other, chipping will occur. And it can damage the bowl.

By the way, welcome and best wishes!

Would these be ok Adam?

www.frost.co.uk/porcelain-tumbler-media/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAkp6tBhB5EiwANTCx1IbT5qEchKMMjzIvmonWTlyR63mT7-yW17tm98m8v1TiBWS7C4pF9BoCHR0QAvD_BwE

Issues I see is that you have no media, and the tumbler is not nearly full enough of rocks. Even with media you wouldn't have enough rocks to start with.

Here is the process I use for my Thumler UV-10(ish) tumbler, which also addresses the amount of water to use.

Take the tumbler bucket entirely off the tumbler base.
Fill the tumbler bucket about 70% up the center plastic column (*edit: with rocks). 
Fill just to the top of the column with ceramic media.
Dump it all in a regular bucket of clean water.
Move all rocks and media back to the tumbler bucket.
Add about 3/4 TBSP of appropriate grit per lb of the tumbler (~4 TBSP for a 5lb tumbler, 6 for an 8, 7.5 for a 10, etc.)
Put the whole thing back on the tumbler base and tighten down.
Run it for a minute and make sure it all looks good, spray more water in, or add more rocks or media, to adjust movement as needed (almost never is needed).
Put the lid on, and check every 12 hours, spraying more water in as needed.

As you will see, I don't "add water" to the rocks, I add the rocks to water, then transfer that water to the tumbler on the body of the rocks and media. That should generally be enough to get started right. You can also do this by submerging the full tumbler bucket in water, or pouring water into it until full, then straining it out, but that is hard to do on larger openings like this bucket has. Its easier for me to just dump it in a regular bucket, then use my bare hands to move them back.