The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Oct 25, 2012 14:54:04 GMT -5
I was browsing the net when I stumbled upon someone saying that marbles makes good tumbling media as opposed to plastic pellets.
Is this true?? Can they be used with agates instead of ceramics?? Do they clean and transfer like ceramic or do they need to be classified with the grit like plastic pellets do?
I am curious because a guy on Ebay is selling them in 5 pound lots for 19.99 and says the same thing. if this is true... I'd be interested in getting some to use ... especially if they work with the softer stones as well as the agates and other nut busters out there!!
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Oct 25, 2012 15:24:30 GMT -5
I was browsing the net when I stumbled upon someone saying that marbles makes good tumbling media as opposed to plastic pellets. Is this true?? Can they be used with agates instead of ceramics?? Do they clean and transfer like ceramic or do they need to be classified with the grit like plastic pellets do? I am curious because a guy on Ebay is selling them in 5 pound lots for 19.99 and says the same thing. if this is true... I'd be interested in getting some to use ... especially if they work with the softer stones as well as the agates and other nut busters out there!! I used to use them as tumble media before I had such a large supply of all sizes of stones.It may be cheaper to go to the dollar store or toy dept. at walmart to buy them.I'll try to find my pics of them worn to a tiny cats eye. Before and after snuffy
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cardiobill
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 881
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Post by cardiobill on Oct 25, 2012 17:11:37 GMT -5
Pretty cool snuffy. Are they still all relatively or perfectly round? Bill
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Oct 25, 2012 17:20:30 GMT -5
Bill,they stay well round for the most part.
snuffy
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Mattatya
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2012
Posts: 452
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Post by Mattatya on Oct 25, 2012 17:25:23 GMT -5
I use marbles sometimes but 5#'s for $20 is too high. Rockshed has 5# for $17.50. I echo that the dollar store and walmart are a cheaper. I also find thrift shops have them all the time for cheap too.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using proboards
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Oct 25, 2012 21:01:51 GMT -5
Snuffy, that's cool looking before & after... The reason I asked is that I am going to have 2- 3 llb barrels & 2 - 6 lb barrels going on the rotaries and 1 - 5 lb vibe going with slabs and I have no where near enough ceramic for all that, so marbles are a nice affordable alternative.
Thanx for the info peoples!!
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Oct 25, 2012 21:12:05 GMT -5
Might have to check for gas buildup as with any glass when using the marbles.Its been so many batches ago that I used them,cant remember if there was a gas buildup or not.If it was,wasnt serious.May want to check on lead content in the marbles too,I think they are almost all made in China now,no telling what they put in them.I dump all my used slurry in my garden and didnt want to risk adding lead to my soil.
snuffy
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Oct 25, 2012 22:14:14 GMT -5
.I dump all my used slurry in my garden and didnt want to risk adding lead to my soil. snuffy I dump all my slurry down a hole in an old stump that refuses to die!!!! I'll petrify that sucker if I have too !!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,583
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Post by jamesp on Oct 25, 2012 22:49:27 GMT -5
Mcgillswarehouse.com charges $43.00 for 30 pounds of marbles.That includes shipping Mario.Would small rocks serve the same purpose?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2012 14:23:16 GMT -5
I started simply breaking glass bottles and putting the various sized shards in. Care in handling when fresh is in order, but it's zero money out of pocket.
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