snivlem
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 167
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Post by snivlem on Apr 3, 2008 13:30:27 GMT -5
I set my first batch of rocks in motion in my UV-10 with plastic pellets to compensate for the smaller size of my load...  and used separate pellets for each stage. I just could not get anything more than a matte finish, polish only on some of the edges and such even after 3 days in AO polish. Rockshed to the rescue! I just received my shipment of ceramic filler, and filled it up, put in a little 500, and set them in motion! WOW! The action with the plastic pellets was like oatmeal being churned around, and with the ceramic, there's probably 3-4 times as much motion going on. I guess the stones never had a chance to shine with that much plastic pellets around them, keeping them from really "tumbling". I am hoping that recharging them for a while in the 500 will help out and they will really take a polish this time, I can see that using that much plastic was the impediment before.... or at least I hope so! But this is just my thread to state-USE CERAMIC MEDIA and not plastic pellets. I guess they may have their place as cushion, but as a filler, I'm all ceramic now! |
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 3, 2008 13:34:22 GMT -5
And since ceramic pellets don't embed with grit you can wash them out with the rocks and use them right through polish. Not having to have plastic designated for each step makes the extra cost worthwhile.
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 3, 2008 14:44:40 GMT -5
I think the difference in motion you observed has to do with the weight of the total barrel, as well as the force with which a lighter (escentially massless) weight pellet vibrates against the rocks.
remember rocks rubbing against other rocks with abrasive slurry is the key to both rotary and vibe tumbling. Its physics not magic.
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lsmike
spending too much on rocks
Maxwell's demon lowers tumbling entropy
Member since January 2007
Posts: 468
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Post by lsmike on Apr 3, 2008 17:40:12 GMT -5
Vibes are more aggresive because more area is being worked at all times,but they are also more gentle because of the jiggling motion.Rollers work like a continuos landslide so a cushion is often needed to prevent damage- this cushioning is counter-productive in a vibe.I've been told that the small size are even better - more surface area.
Get the uncharged ones[no grit].As you progress through the grits, the ceramic gets smoother showing that it's going well.Mike.
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snivlem
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 167
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Post by snivlem on Apr 3, 2008 22:14:29 GMT -5
yeah, I only ran them in 500 for about 10 hours, and it's amazing the change. They are in polish now, hopefully I'll have shine soon.
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snivlem
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 167
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Post by snivlem on Apr 3, 2008 22:16:06 GMT -5
and especially cool is the fact you can use them throuh all stages.
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thomtap
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 237
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Post by thomtap on Apr 7, 2008 10:30:01 GMT -5
Quick question... would glass work as well as ceramic filler?
Thom Tapp
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 7, 2008 11:12:07 GMT -5
It will wear down much quicker.
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thomtap
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 237
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Post by thomtap on Apr 7, 2008 17:49:13 GMT -5
About what is the hardness of ceramic filler then?
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 7, 2008 21:15:14 GMT -5
Good question! If glass is 5 to 6, the media must be 8 to 9. It wears down slower tham most agate and jasper. I do see this language asserting hardness on one web site: High-hardness media types like the ceramic cannot be used where its hardness would cause detrimental indentations in soft metals. For this reason, high-quality surface finishing on soft metals is normally done with resin-bonded media, which has a lower hardness.
www.hammondmach.com/content/view/336/5/
The type of ceramic without embedded grit is often called Aluminia ceramic. I have no exact info on the stuff I buy from teh ROckShed, but I see this site:
90% Alumina Ceramic "Typical Properties":
Hardness (Mohs Scale) 9.0...........Compressive Strength 360
Specific Gravity 3.6G./CC.............Color White
Water Absorption 0.0%
ceramicmediawarehouse.com/
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Apr 9, 2008 10:15:38 GMT -5
I use tempered glass shards along with ceramic media in my polish vibe tumbler. I have some marbles along with ceramic media in my grind vibe tumbler and they are wearing down quickly. I like using different shapes. I have two types of ceramic media. The cylinders that are cut at an angle at the end and the Harbor Freight media which is weird shaped triangles.
Rick
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and used separate pellets for each stage. I just could not get anything more than a matte finish, polish only on some of the edges and such even after 3 days in AO polish. 
