RockNerds
noticing nice landscape pebbles
oooooooooo a rock lol
Member since August 2024
Posts: 80
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Post by RockNerds on Oct 7, 2024 9:40:36 GMT -5
Ok so set up a new TV-10 Tumbler never used this style before, does anyone have any good recipes for this style vibratory? Amount of Grit Run Time per step Any Info to get started in the right direction would be helpful. My only experience is with a Loto, sure this will be a little different  |
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WhiskeyZero
starting to shine!
Member since December 2017
Posts: 48
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Post by WhiskeyZero on Oct 14, 2024 14:12:41 GMT -5
Watching - I ordered a new TV-10 yesterday
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RockyBeach
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2023
Posts: 342
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Post by RockyBeach on Oct 14, 2024 18:43:08 GMT -5
Ok so set up a new TV-10 Tumbler never used this style before, does anyone have any good recipes for this style vibratory? Amount of Grit Run Time per step Any Info to get started in the right direction would be helpful. My only experience is with a Loto, sure this will be a little different Not an expert but this is what I have been using / doing: 7-7.5 pounds rock and media -- should be about 3/4 filled. Water - fill bowl with warm/ hot water and then drain 1/2 TB applicable grit Stage 2 and beyond ... NOT stage one ! 2 TB Borax Turn on machine and see how it looks ... spray with water to move the grit/borax around a bit off the top of the rocks. OR add a couple of TB of water. (Even after many runs am still not 100% sure I have the water amount right but at least now the splashing has been eliminated. ) Run a while and then remove lid and check periodically .... spray if it looks muddy or is running really sluggishly Steps ... 2-3 days each. I tend towards three but depending on your rock types, time may vary. Check a couple of times a day .... or more if the mood strikes. Spray as needed until things are moving right. I run with a lot of water and Dawn Soap to help get the slurry runny before washouts and then after washing, I do a watery run with Borax ... especially after polish ! It's amazing to me how much comes off of the rocks even after vigorous sink washing and brushing. Some users say they do a "dry" run with the Borax but a bath in the vibe with a lot of water seemed to work better for me. and I just asked the folks at Ray Tech and 2.5 - 3" is the largest they suggest for rock size ... and use a good mix of rock sizes. |
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RockNerds
noticing nice landscape pebbles
oooooooooo a rock lol
Member since August 2024
Posts: 80
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Post by RockNerds on Oct 15, 2024 6:58:12 GMT -5
RockyBeach thanks for the input that was real similar to what i was going to try. Thanks
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RockyBeach
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2023
Posts: 342
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Post by RockyBeach on Oct 15, 2024 8:19:34 GMT -5
RockyBeach thanks for the input that was real similar to what i was going to try. Thanks You're  ! There are several threads on this board where I asked similar questions not long ago. They go into more detail as they were answered by posters MUCH more experienced than I am. Have fun ! Btw .... a suggestion. Replace the center spindle and wingnuts etc with stainless to avoid rusting. |
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Post by rmf on Oct 15, 2024 10:47:03 GMT -5
@rocknerds with a vib of this type too much water will kill the action. I am assuming that you are using a rotary tumbler first to round your rocks like you want them as in general shape. Vibe tumblers are bad at rounding but keep the original shape of the rock. Also the plastic bowls ware faster with coarse grit. So Coarse Tumble in rotary.
#220 grit in vib if you start with wet rocks do not add water. Add grit and a touch of soap/borax (1 or two drops liquid soap will work) it is just used to lower surface tension. Add the grit for a 10# tumbler maybe 2 or 3 table spoons full just guessing here. If you wash it out over a 5 gal bucket you can recover grit that has not broken down. add a bit of water and let it work in slowly.
Rocks should drop down at the center cone and come up the outside wall. In addition it should move (clockwise/counterclockwise - can't remember which) around the tub so there should be two distinct motions you should see. If you get too much water the action will slow down and just bounce. If that happend you take it all out clean it off and start again. Don't get in a hurry with the water.
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RockNerds
noticing nice landscape pebbles
oooooooooo a rock lol
Member since August 2024
Posts: 80
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Post by RockNerds on Oct 15, 2024 11:53:28 GMT -5
@rocknerds with a vib of this type too much water will kill the action. I am assuming that you are using a rotary tumbler first to round your rocks like you want them as in general shape. Vibe tumblers are bad at rounding but keep the original shape of the rock. Also the plastic bowls ware faster with coarse grit. So Coarse Tumble in rotary. #220 grit in vib if you start with wet rocks do not add water. Add grit and a touch of soap/borax (1 or two drops liquid soap will work) it is just used to lower surface tension. Add the grit for a 10# tumbler maybe 2 or 3 table spoons full just guessing here. If you wash it out over a 5 gal bucket you can recover grit that has not broken down. add a bit of water and let it work in slowly. Rocks should drop down at the center cone and come up the outside wall. In addition it should move (clockwise/counterclockwise - can't remember which) around the tub so there should be two distinct motions you should see. If you get too much water the action will slow down and just bounce. If that happend you take it all out clean it off and start again. Don't get in a hurry with the water. Thanks yes all my rocks go thru rotary tumbler for stage 1. I have used these vibratory tumblers alot just not this size and brand so this part will be new to me figuring out what works best for it. Thanks for the input. |
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mirkee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Started tumbling a couple of months ago but now have four tumblers. Very interested in the hobby.
Member since March 2024
Posts: 125
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Post by mirkee on Oct 19, 2024 22:50:36 GMT -5
Very good advice on using less water than you think. I've been having problems with my TV5 in stage 2. Since I would use three tbsp in my 3 lb rotary, I figured one TBsp in the vibe would be about right but in fact tyhat is way too much so I add water to try to get the action moving, to no avail. Once you have too much grit you're in trouble. I used about a tsp of 500 AO for stage three and that seems about right, maybe I should use less. I need to look up recipes for the tv5.
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Post by time2rollsomerock on Nov 3, 2024 17:02:30 GMT -5
Very good advice on using less water than you think. I've been having problems with my TV5 in stage 2. Since I would use three tbsp in my 3 lb rotary, I figured one TBsp in the vibe would be about right but in fact tyhat is way too much so I add water to try to get the action moving, to no avail. Once you have too much grit you're in trouble. I used about a tsp of 500 AO for stage three and that seems about right, maybe I should use less. I need to look up recipes for the tv5. I'm only on my 4th batch and using the tv5. The latest batch is looking pretty good. I ran 1 Tablespoon 180-220 sc for two days. 1.5 teaspoon 500 ao and 1 Tablespoon Borax for 4 days. 1.5 teaspoons 1000 ao and 1 Tablespoon of Borax for three days(not necessary). And 1.5 teaspoons of ao polish and 1 Tablespoon Borax for three days.
between stages I rinse well and clean rocks in a ultrasonic cleaner for 15 min. Same when they are done.
I have a hard time not getting too much water at the start and the slurry takes a long time to build. I quit doing the 'fill the bowl with water and then drain' method and I just start the vibe and spray the rocks/media until they start to look wet then add Borax and then grit. If the grit and borax stick to the rocks/media it's wet enough for me.
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