garrett
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 62
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Post by garrett on Sept 22, 2008 0:16:49 GMT -5
Maybe this has been talked about before, but I’m new and would like to know.
Am I the only one who needs a good inexpensive source for silicone carbide grit?
At the rate I’m going, I’m on par to use 300 pounds of coarse grit a year. I’ve been using 46/70 and I’m pleased with the results but I’m not adverse to 60/90 either.
I’m very pleased with the business I’ve been getting it from and their service is great but considering how much I use I’d like to find a way to cut the price.
A few months ago I did some research and found a place with a supplier in China where I could get silicone carbide abrasives for an extremely reasonable price, but the minimum purchase was 1,000 kilograms. That made up my mind, I didn’t want to send my money to Chins. Ha ha
I’ve also found it in 50 pound sacks (from who knows where) but the price was no better than I pay by the pound for as much or as little as I want.
I kind of expect to find you folks are getting yours the same place I get mine and that’s the price of our chosen hobby or business.
I just had to ask the question.
Maybe we could all get together and buy a couple of car loads of the stuff and save some money. Just a thought.
Garrett
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Post by deb193redux on Sept 22, 2008 2:21:28 GMT -5
Well 300lbs of course in a year would give you 7 day tumbles with 5lbs of grit. That would be enough for a 100lb barrel, and no time for any other grit.
Is something off in the numbers or do you have a monster machine or what?
The cheapest I have seen is from 4facets.com and is under $2/lb in 100lb barrels. Miles supply is supposed to have a good price on 50lb boxes.
BTW, you never mention what you pay, so it is hard to recommend something cheaper.
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Post by connrock on Sept 22, 2008 5:43:59 GMT -5
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Sept 22, 2008 6:32:40 GMT -5
Garrett,
Your right stock up today for the next five year`s you`ll be saying your self 100% mark-up
220 & 80 are the most expensive grits to buy as they are graded for the grinding wheel manufactures.
I too need to buy some more Keg`s of coarse grit.
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Sept 22, 2008 8:37:11 GMT -5
I use Miles Supply- 50Lb Bulk- I bought it a year ago and with shipping came out to something like .97¢ a pound. Nice grit with no filler.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Sept 22, 2008 8:46:41 GMT -5
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garrett
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 62
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Post by garrett on Sept 22, 2008 20:39:32 GMT -5
deb193redux,
Maybe my numbers are wrong.
I’m running two 12 lb drums using 12 tabelspoons, or ¾ cups of coarse each (3/4 X 2 = 1.5 cups) and four 15 lb drums using 1.25 to 1.5 cups each (5 or 6 cups) for a total of 6.5 to 7.5 cups of coarse each week. For all other stages of the process I use the vibratory. I’ve only had the four 15 lb’ers for a couple of months or so, but they have run non-stop except to recharge. Same for the 12 lb’ers since a year ago July, except they were off for one week while I was out of state.
If I’m running some soft material or something I just want to keep separated from everything else I have four 6 lb drums I use for that, but that’s just once in a while.
6.5 to 7.5 cups of silicone carbide per week would be 338 to 390 measuring cups full per year (not counting anything used in the 6 lb drums).
I don’t know what a cup of silicone carbide weighs, and I just estimated the 300 lbs a year. Maybe I over estimated, maybe I’m using too much grit, I don’t know but there doesn’t seem to be any left. I was just wondering if there is a way to lower the cost of consumables and I guess there is. I’ve been paying more than what I see in the posts above (over $2/lb).
Thanks everyone for the advice.
Garrett
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Post by deb193redux on Sept 22, 2008 22:04:58 GMT -5
I think a cup of course may be close to a lb. you may also get by with slightly less grit. you can get lower price by buying less precisely graded, which is less important in 1st stage. the equivalent of an 84lb barrel is fairly large capacity. see what miles wants for a 300lb drum - although no gaurantee it is made in USA
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on Sept 23, 2008 7:59:35 GMT -5
.97 a lb shipping.....I don't know what Miles charges for the grit, but Rock Shed will pack 50 lbs in 2 FRB for $19.80 shipping. You can do the math.
Lee
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Sept 23, 2008 10:46:16 GMT -5
I just checked out Miles supply.
SC 60/90 in 50 lb. bag = $72.63 + $7 packing fee + $23.58 (UPS ground, cheapest shipping to NH) = $96.28 = $1.93/lb.
The Rock Shed:
SC 60/90, 50 lb. = $93.50 + $37.01 (FedEx ground, cheapest optino) = $130.51 = $2.61/lb.
I am going to a rock show this weekend. Large quantities of coarse grit seems like something that is best purchased in person to avoid shipping fees! I'll try to remember to post back what I find.
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Post by deb193redux on Sept 23, 2008 13:57:08 GMT -5
I agree about in person, but good luck finding a vendor who had brought large quantities of heavy stuff to a show.
Miles supply quoted me $1.05/50lbs of 60/90 and did not mention a packing fee, but the shipping to Oregon was about $40.
Rockshed is supposed to put 50lbs into two FRB for $20 if you ask. That improves their price a bit.
Still anything close to $2/lb is good.
I think 4facets is as low as $1.79/lb by the 100lb parcel, and I could pick it up.
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Sept 24, 2008 15:01:37 GMT -5
apparantly Miles supply has increased its price and added a $7.00 packing fee. They are now using plastic tubs, instead of heavy paper packaging, for shipping...reading between the lines...they must have had some complaints with shipping and had to recoup their losses. It's a shame, it was hard to beat about a dollar per pound.
csroc
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Sept 25, 2008 7:20:28 GMT -5
It was at least a year ago that I bought it- No plastic tub (that explians the $7.00 packing fee- and if they ship the bucket without puttin it in a box UPS tacks on another $3 to $5 for "non-conforming packages")- just came in a heavy papaer bag in a box (that UPS dropped in my garage which caused a small split and leaked grit all the way to the basement- WHat a mess)
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