learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Apr 13, 2011 14:27:41 GMT -5
When I ordered some supplies to get started, I ordered a bit of a number of things to try including some plastic beads.
I have some larger river stones plus some tiny rock chips in the polish stage of the MT-10 Mini-Sonic vibe I have on permanent loan.
I thought I also add some of these little plastic pellets to help spread the polish and cushion the rock. The pellets almost the size and shape of a dry lentil, a bit flat, not totally round.
So in the vibe, the silliest thing happens. A single layer of these things climbs up the sides of the barrel. They stick to the side of the barrel and come up all the way to the lid. So of the few tbls of pellets I put in, maybe two thirds are just sitting on the sides of the barrel.
Do people use these thing in a vibe and if so have you experienced this?
Was it a waste of time to put them in?
I also bought a bag of those little ceramic pieces. I could also try those when I have mostly large rocks.
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Post by 150FromFundy on Apr 13, 2011 16:16:35 GMT -5
Plastic pellets are for use in a rotary tumbler. They hold the grit, so you must have different plastic pellets for each grit stage to avoid contamination.
Ceramic pellets are for use in a vibe tumbler. You need the weight of the ceramics to roll with the load. Plastic pellets will simply float on top.
Ceramic pellets will not hold the grit if you wash them well. You may use them in all stages. In a vibe load, many will typically use between 25% ceramics to 50% ceramics.
Darryl.
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Apr 13, 2011 18:37:02 GMT -5
Thanks for the tip. I'll lose the plastics in the vibe and try some of the ceramics. I bought a bag of each. I also have a rotary so I'll have a use for the plastic sometime.
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Post by rocklicker on Apr 15, 2011 11:42:50 GMT -5
Yup, mine did the same. If you want to save a few bucks, try auto glass. Windshield places will be happy to give it to you. It won't work for really soft stones but agates and jaspers are fine. Steve
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flkate
starting to shine!
Member since March 2011
Posts: 43
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Post by flkate on Apr 18, 2011 9:23:42 GMT -5
I use plastic bbs (read that someone else here used those, but unsure if they were in a vibe or not). Anyway, Sometimes mine roll up the side, but they don't stick. I'm guessing because yours have that flat side they stick? *shrug*
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