jayhkr
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since September 2007
Posts: 92
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Post by jayhkr on Sept 19, 2009 0:00:13 GMT -5
Hey guys, I wanted to know what sizes everyone uses as filler? I see that have 1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4. Does it matter for normal size tumbling rough? Also, how much would I need to fill a 5# vibe with? Most packages come in either 200 or 400 pc bags. I guess I need to know how full the vibe needs to be to run efficiently. Eventually I will have a bowl for each grit AFTER 60/90 but for the time being I'm stuck with just the one bowl. Would it be wise to just it that one for the polish and use my rotary for everything else for the time being? Any help is always appreciated and have never been let down yet. Everyone here is so great and helpful! :cheesy: Thanks everyone for everything!!
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Post by frane on Sept 19, 2009 6:58:29 GMT -5
Hi jayhkr,
If you are using a vibe, don't start with 60-90. Jump to 120-220. The 60-90 will ruin your rock and bowl.
I find that tile spacers work best in the rotary but also will work in the vibe. I mix at least 2 sizes of spacers together along with some pellets so they will carry grit wherever it needs to go. That being said, it is always better to fill the bowl with rock for the best results on most batches. It seems to take forever but most of the time, I will go through the roughing stage for a batch, pull it and do another through the roughing. That way, I have enough to continue on to the next stages and can keep the bowl full.
Hope that helps.
Fran
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 19, 2009 9:05:14 GMT -5
Pretty much all brands of vibe tumblers run best full or nearly so. If you have a rotary I'd use it for 60/90 and 120/220 then use the vibe for fine grit, prepolish, and polish. You won't get the rounded pebbles out of a vibe so need the rotary for that. If you are doing preformed cabs or shapes use the vibe for 120/220, 500, and pre-, and polish. I've never used tile spacers but with ceramic media I use from 1/3 to 1/2 the mix ceramic and use it as a filler as needed.
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