First Time Tumbler...

indychris
noticing nice landscape pebbles

Member since April 2008
Posts: 81

First Time Tumbler... Apr 6, 2008 18:32:54 GMT -5

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Post by indychris on Apr 6, 2008 18:32:54 GMT -5

Hey, Everyone...

I sure am glad I found you guys. I've been looking around a bit, and it looks like I've found the right group to help me get going!

Here's the scoop...

I just returned from a trip to Turkey where I picked up some marvelous pieces of marble from the Aegean Sea near the ancient city of troy. The stones are already beautifully smooth, but I would like to polish them and see how they turn out.

I would like to preserve the shape if possible and not lose too much of the size.

I was at a very reputable hobby store yesterday who had a Thumler's Tumbler Model B that was just returned by someone who supposedly didn't use it like they thought they would. It is in truly mint condition, and I got the unit for just under $80, so I was thrilled with the price.

HOWEVER, when I started looking here, it looks like maybe a Vibe polisher might be a better option for me, so now I've got several questions that I am looking to find answers for...

1. Can Marble be polished effectively?

2. Is a tumbler the right tool for already smooth marble?

3. Since the stones are already smooth, am I okay to start with a pre-polish type of grit, or should I still use something more abrasive?

4. I have a total of 7 stones with diameters of 1" to 2.5" that I would like to polish. Should I do them all at once, or should I do a couple at a time until I get the hang of it?

5. From what I'm reading, it appears since my barrel won't be near full with just a few stones, I might need some type of tumbling media in with the rocks. What would be the best choice for me, and how much would I need for my current tumbler (or another tumbler if I should use a vibrating tumbler)?

6. How do I know how much grit to use for each stage of polishing? The directions that came with the tumbler were truly no help to me whatsoever.

Thanks to each of you for your help. I'm looking forward to getting started, but I want to start out correctly rather than simply rushing the process.

Chris

cpdad driving up their electric bill Member since February 2006 Posts: 2,989	First Time Tumbler... Apr 6, 2008 18:54:35 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by cpdad on Apr 6, 2008 18:54:35 GMT -5 marble tumbles perfectly fine....no need for a vibe unless time is a factor....can you show pics of what you are starting with?...that will help a lot... kev.
	a good friend will bail you out of jail. a true friend will be sitting beside you, saying" damn that was fun"

indychris
noticing nice landscape pebbles

Member since April 2008
Posts: 81

First Time Tumbler... Apr 6, 2008 19:36:37 GMT -5

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Post by indychris on Apr 6, 2008 19:36:37 GMT -5

Apr 6, 2008 18:54:35 GMT -5 cpdad said:

marble tumbles perfectly fine....no need for a vibe unless time is a factor....can you show pics of what you are starting with?...that will help a lot... kev.

Thanks, Kev!

Here is a picture that I took while in Turkey. The rocks look shiny only because I got the wet to see how they might appear polished.

deb193redux
In Memoriam

RIP Daniel Bontempo (1959 - 2022)

Member since September 2007
Posts: 6,010

First Time Tumbler... Apr 6, 2008 19:40:47 GMT -5

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Post by deb193redux on Apr 6, 2008 19:40:47 GMT -5

Great price on that Model-B. If you find a used vibe later, they make a good combo. But, you shoudl be OK with just the Model-B

Marble is softer and shapes quicker. It may not do as well in a batch with lots of harder stones. Maybe a softer batch is afoot.

You might be able to put in some Piccaso Marbble, and some Butter Jade. Maybe some Zebra Marble too. You will need a range of size down to 1/4". Your 2.5" pieces should be no problem in a Model-B.

If you do get some other marble, they will need some time in course grind. Then you could throw you pieces in at FINE (500g), unless they are not super-smooth, then you could put them in at MEDIUM.

You have a large barrel, so some amount of plastic pellets will be needed. Softer stones also do well with a PRE-POLISH (1000g or 1200g). SO take time and do all the steps.

And I second what Kevin said about pictures!

indychris noticing nice landscape pebbles Member since April 2008 Posts: 81	First Time Tumbler... Apr 6, 2008 20:19:44 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by indychris on Apr 6, 2008 20:19:44 GMT -5 Thanks for the replies. Can anyone recommend some plastic media and a good place to order online? Thanks again!

montagieu
starting to shine!

Member since March 2008
Posts: 28

First Time Tumbler... Apr 6, 2008 21:17:36 GMT -5

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Post by montagieu on Apr 6, 2008 21:17:36 GMT -5

I just started tumbling recently as well. The Rockshed (therockshed.com) is a great place to shop. Fast and cheap shipping and Shawn is reliable as they come. They have a good selection of tumbling media and the plastic pellets can be found in there somewhere. Some members just go to Hobby Lobby and buy the plastic pellets there. I think they are supposed to be used for stuffed animals.

There is a good vendors section on this site that gives many reviews on the good and bad places to shop. That's where I started before I bought my equipment.

Good luck,
-Montagieu

Gamertag: Montagieu

deb193redux
In Memoriam

RIP Daniel Bontempo (1959 - 2022)

Member since September 2007
Posts: 6,010

First Time Tumbler... Apr 6, 2008 21:57:54 GMT -5

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Post by deb193redux on Apr 6, 2008 21:57:54 GMT -5

ROckShed is great. Get some of their 1000g AO for pre-polish and some of their AO for polish. Other grits too.

They do not have Picasso Marble or Zebra Marble or Butter Jade, but they do have Howlite and Blue Sodalite to help you fill the barrel with softer stones. I think the Model-B has a 12 or 15 lb barrel, so you will need 8 to 10 lbs of soft rock.

cgi.ebay.com/TUMBLER-ROCKS-PICASSO-MARBLE_W0QQitemZ290219300328

cgi.ebay.com/BOX-OF-ZEBRA-STONE-ROUGH-FOR-TUMBLING-17-POUNDS_W0QQitemZ220220408022

Last Edit: Apr 6, 2008 23:49:55 GMT -5 by deb193redux

indychris noticing nice landscape pebbles Member since April 2008 Posts: 81	First Time Tumbler... Apr 7, 2008 10:04:21 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by indychris on Apr 7, 2008 10:04:21 GMT -5 So if I were to add 8 lbs of soft rock to a few of my current stones, how much/what size plastic media would I need, and how can I calculate how much grit to use? Thanks again to everyone for their help! Chris

deb193redux
In Memoriam

RIP Daniel Bontempo (1959 - 2022)

Member since September 2007
Posts: 6,010

First Time Tumbler... Apr 7, 2008 11:23:11 GMT -5

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Post by deb193redux on Apr 7, 2008 11:23:11 GMT -5

Use the grit recommendations at the RockShed's how-to page. 1st confirm if it is a 12 or 15 lb barrel.

Marble is not a brittle as say apache tears, so less plastic pellets might be OK. Say maybe 1/4 of the barrel.

Keep in mind, the new stones will need to ride in course until they have a shape comparable to you current stones. If you current stones are pretty smooth, the new ones may go for a while in medium. Pelets are not necessary fr those grinds.

I would add your stones for the last bit of medium.

Aside from cushioning, the pellets help fill the barrel after the course stage has ground off and washed away a lot of rock volume. SInce you will be addign your 7 stones, again, maybe not so many pellets.

Last Edit: Apr 7, 2008 11:26:05 GMT -5 by deb193redux

indychris
noticing nice landscape pebbles

Member since April 2008
Posts: 81

First Time Tumbler... Apr 7, 2008 16:20:59 GMT -5

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Post by indychris on Apr 7, 2008 16:20:59 GMT -5

That's very helpful, Deb. Thanks!

BTW, do most tumblers have multiple barrels? I have read a couple of sites that stated that a barrel should only be used for one stage of the tumbling process so that no course grit can ever get mixed with pre-polish or polish phases. Is a good cleansing good enough? It would seem that multiple barrels could get pretty pricey fairly quickly?!

deb193redux In Memoriam RIP Daniel Bontempo (1959 - 2022) Member since September 2007 Posts: 6,010	First Time Tumbler... Apr 7, 2008 17:02:57 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by deb193redux on Apr 7, 2008 17:02:57 GMT -5 Good cleaning is good enough for contamination purposes. Running multiple barrels at once is desirable for logistical reasons.

johnjsgems
gets rocks for Christmas

Member since August 2007
Posts: 6,959

First Time Tumbler... Apr 8, 2008 10:01:26 GMT -5

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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 8, 2008 10:01:26 GMT -5

The model B is 15 lbs. per Thumler's but 12 lbs. per Diamond Pacific on their 12T tumbler (they buy the drum from Thumler's). You would be better off using non-abrasive ceramic pellets instead of plastic. Buy maybe 3 lbs. when you buy the rock. Fill the drum to 2/3 full with rock then add the ceramic to 3/4 full. The ceramic acts like small rocks in the first two steps and helps cushion during the last steps. It also won't embed with grit so you can wash it with the rock right through final polish. If you do use plastic buy enough to have marked batches for each step as it does embed with grit. I tumbled a lot of beach agates and started them in 220 as they were well rounded already. With your marble check every couple of days if you start with 120/220 to avoid losing too much material. The soft material you buy will round off really fast too so check those often also. Multiple barrels are a convenience more than a necessity. Wash really well before prepolish/polish steps.

John at JS Gems

www.jsgemslapidary.com