coasthunterjay
starting to spend too much on rocks
Carefull ive got a gun....and a closet full of rocks
Member since May 2009
Posts: 155
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Post by coasthunterjay on May 20, 2009 0:51:35 GMT -5
Kind of interested as to everyones opinion of using this for pre tumbling in the course stage....specially for the jagged rough shaped rocks?
I started a batch of sharp rough agates with some sand as a pre tumble......
Added a little water maybe 3-4 tablespoons and sand untill it started moving good. Covered it up after it got going and well see what it looks like in the morning. Not a bad idea and itll keep shard from damaging my expensive vibe. Figured if anything i could just do course in this one, and the medium to polish stages in my Lot-O-tumbler.
Any opinions?
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ct1001
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2009
Posts: 10
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Post by ct1001 on May 20, 2009 8:25:31 GMT -5
I'm really curious how this works for you. I have a Lyman's reloading vib that I've never used. If this works well for you, I might try it as well.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2009 8:29:47 GMT -5
I have one.........works great for tumbling. I keep separate bowls for each grit and also one for stainless steel shot for tumbling wraps and chain mail.
Because a vibe tumbler does not change the shape of the rock as much as a rotary (as in, if you throw in a triangle shaped hunk of rock, it will remain a triangle after tumbling, but will just be more smooth) I wouldnt recommend it for REALLY rough rock like say Carnelian. Using a rotary for the rough grind first would work best. I would also say that using really coarse grit "may" wear out the bowls fairly quickly as well.
I mainly use mine for already rounded river rock, slab pieces and for deburring wraps and chain mail.
Shannon
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ct1001
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2009
Posts: 10
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Post by ct1001 on May 20, 2009 9:54:29 GMT -5
Hi Shannon,
The Lyman vibratory tumbler I have was designed for tumbling brass for reloading of ammunition. Is that the kind you have? If so, what kind of grit to water ratio do you use?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2009 10:32:31 GMT -5
Yes, thats the exact one I have........
With a vibe tumbler you only want to keep the the grit just damp enough to stick to the rocks. Its more a matter of just squirting with a bit of water every few hours. Too much water and the grit doesnt stick and does no good. Vibe tumblers need to be "babysat" more than a rotary but you get results so much quicker so its worth it. I usually add my grit, and squirt some water on everything with a squirt bottle prior to putting the lid on.....let it run awhile until a nice paste/slurry forms and then just watch it from there.
I love the clear lid on mine.......I can get lost watching the rocks happily rolling around LOL
Shannon
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coasthunterjay
starting to spend too much on rocks
Carefull ive got a gun....and a closet full of rocks
Member since May 2009
Posts: 155
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Post by coasthunterjay on May 20, 2009 19:37:32 GMT -5
Yah having the clear lid is deffinantly a bonus! I am going out in 10 minutes to go check the rocks out...they have been tumbling for about 12+ hours now. Cross your fingers guys....Hopefully good results...
Shannon good to hear someone else is doing the same....Cheep brass vibe cost 50 bucks and works like the expensive ones.....and bowls are cheep.
Alright out i go................
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ct1001
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2009
Posts: 10
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Post by ct1001 on May 20, 2009 20:34:07 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, Shannon. That's really helpful. I've had this Lyman for a few years now and haven't even plugged it in yet. I'll give it a shot.
One last question: How much grit do you put in? Seems like it would take a lot of grit to fill it up.
Thanks again
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2009 23:04:18 GMT -5
EEK!!! Dont fill it up with grit..  I do a few tablespoons at a time. Shannon |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2009 23:07:48 GMT -5
Hey Jay!!! Soooo? How did your first checkup on your rocks go? You've visited the Dragon Cave recently. Ive been wanting a pet dragon myself.....Im gonna have to go get one. Shan |
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coasthunterjay
starting to spend too much on rocks
Carefull ive got a gun....and a closet full of rocks
Member since May 2009
Posts: 155
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Post by coasthunterjay on May 20, 2009 23:48:13 GMT -5
yah not sure why i got one but i secretly am a HUGE DORK....
Well i put in alot of rocks in my tumbler basically the hole bottom and some was covered and then added a little bit of sand....the guys kind of just barely vibrated like they were on depression meds....LOL....so i added a little more sand(JUST SAND) and a little more....and BAMM! Stuff is rotating and moving all over the place....And then I added some water....only about 3 tablespoons....had to add more this morning....but so far so good.....Some of my agates that im vibing are gorgeous! I had an ugly tar stained colored one and its now showing a full ribbon all the way through it and has a very distinctive green and clear coloration.....very cool......
But as a pre tumble to putting in my rediculously expensive media(hobby store in town1/2lbs of media is 8bucks...ouch).....GOOD IDEA.....and planters course sand was 2 bucks for 5 lbs.
Cant wait to see what they look like tomarrow. 2 days ought to be enough time before i go into the next stage.
Dont yah think?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2009 0:27:11 GMT -5
LOL, Did you just call me a HUGE DORK? I think you did, since Im getting ready to get a dragon egg. Uhhh I dunno, Ive never used sand. Maybe someone else can give their opinion on that. Shannon |
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Post by NatureNut on May 21, 2009 7:59:19 GMT -5
Tom's got a thread on using sand, showing before and after pics, and it looks like it takes a little longer, but still works! Good luck on the dragons you... uh... guys! LOL. Jo
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ct1001
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2009
Posts: 10
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Post by ct1001 on May 21, 2009 8:31:35 GMT -5
Shannon - :blush: Guess I better read up on vibratory tumblers before I try this - I basically know nothing about them at this point  I guess I was thinking that it would be similar to polishing brass for ammunition, but obviously it's much different. Thanks again! |
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morticiamonroe
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 147
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Post by morticiamonroe on May 21, 2009 8:36:21 GMT -5
I've got one of these, too. I thought it was useless. Thanks for the advice!
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coasthunterjay
starting to spend too much on rocks
Carefull ive got a gun....and a closet full of rocks
Member since May 2009
Posts: 155
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Post by coasthunterjay on May 21, 2009 9:25:08 GMT -5
yah i totally forgot about reading that article....and it did say something about taking a little bit longer....So ill just keep it in there longer and see what happens....check the rocks when i get off work today..... oh and to everyone who sees this.......GOOD MORNING!....... JAY |
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Post by NatureNut on May 21, 2009 9:50:30 GMT -5
Morning Jay!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2009 10:15:28 GMT -5
Good morning to you too Jay!!!! Im going to start a load of "already rounded" river rock in my Lyman today and will post photos of my progress as well. Shannon |
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coasthunterjay
starting to spend too much on rocks
Carefull ive got a gun....and a closet full of rocks
Member since May 2009
Posts: 155
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Post by coasthunterjay on May 22, 2009 0:37:55 GMT -5
well everything was looking good this morning and so before i left i thought i should add some water to the sand...well low and begold i put to much in and it mad mmud in my vibe and didnt do anything for about 8 hours....LOL...WOOPS....
So tonight i cleaned my rocks off inspected everything....Looked good...added fresh sand and started her back up, added water and watched it for an hour or so and not to much water this time....lol....So hopefully tomarrow night it will be ready to put in my lot-o-tumbler and get em started with a finer grit.....
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2009 0:40:49 GMT -5
started her back up, added water and watched it for an hour or so HAHAHAHA, only a rock freak would sit and "watch" rocks for an hour or so. Yes, I speak from experience. ;D |
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coasthunterjay
starting to spend too much on rocks
Carefull ive got a gun....and a closet full of rocks
Member since May 2009
Posts: 155
|
Post by coasthunterjay on May 22, 2009 17:44:03 GMT -5
lol...your funny shannon...
I just wanted to make sure my rocks were tumbling well.....i need to get a spray bottle so ill probably head into town soon and do that....be alot easier than trying to put drops of water in at a time untill it looks good....
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I do a few tablespoons at a time. 
