shovelmonkey
off to a rocking start
At one with Mother Earth!!!
Member since October 2013
Posts: 5
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Post by shovelmonkey on Oct 23, 2013 17:57:58 GMT -5
Can i use ceramic pellets in place of plastic pellets in a rotary tumbler to fill if im only doing a few stones? which is better?
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Post by wireholic on Oct 23, 2013 22:04:13 GMT -5
I am new to the forum too and have never tumbled stones from rough YET but I do have a tumbler that I use to polish and harden wire jewelry. I use stainless steel shot in mine. I think you should be fine with the ceramic. I have heard that plastic pellets can react with some polishing compounds and leave a film on the stones that prevents you from getting that super shiny finish. I don't think that's an issue in the beginning stages - just when you get to the finishing stages.
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kaldorlon
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2013
Posts: 413
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Post by kaldorlon on Oct 24, 2013 17:30:30 GMT -5
My understanding is plastic in rotary and ceramic in vibe tumblers.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Oct 24, 2013 18:00:14 GMT -5
Correct: plastic in rotaries, ceramic in vibes. Some people also use tile spacers in rotaries because they're cheap and readily available.
Chuck
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shovelmonkey
off to a rocking start
At one with Mother Earth!!!
Member since October 2013
Posts: 5
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Post by shovelmonkey on Nov 3, 2013 21:27:08 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! got ceramic for my vibe and just finished a batch of florite. they turned out amazing! also am now using tile spacers in my rotaries. so much cheaper and easier to get!
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Nov 3, 2013 22:09:02 GMT -5
Glad to hear it. No sense in spending the money on ceramics to grind them away in a rotary.
Chuck
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Tom
fully equipped rock polisher
My dad Tom suddenly passed away yesterday, Just wanted his "rock" family to know.
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,557
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Post by Tom on Nov 6, 2013 8:22:24 GMT -5
I can understand not using ceramic pellets in a rotary tumble, but what exactly is wrong with using plastic in a vibe. My first tumble in the UV10 I had to use plastic because I did not have any ceramic. This time I am using ceramic with this batch. Plastic pellets are cheaper and more bulk per pound so it takes less pounds to fill the space. So what is the reasoning for plastic in rotary ceramic in vibe. Inquiring (and dumb) minds want to know:)
Thanks folks
Tom
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Nov 14, 2013 0:15:20 GMT -5
My experience with pellets: Plastic pellets like to bounce all over the place when trying to separate them out after the batch is finished. I know there's a pile of them in garage corners I can't reach. The grit seems to get embedded in the soft plastic.
Ceramic pellets are easier to separate out. They don't hold the grit & therefore you can use the same pellets from coarse through polish.
Yep, ceramic costs more, but it's worth it to me. Lynn
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mhandbook
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2015
Posts: 1
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Post by mhandbook on Mar 31, 2015 19:50:18 GMT -5
Use ceramic media for vibratory tumblers, and plastic media for rotary tumblers. If you use ceramic in a rotary tumbler, I think you will end up crushing all the media. Ceramic media won't crush in a vibratory tumbler though, because the impacts are much weaker in a vibratory tumbler. The purpose of plastic media is to absorb impacts and prevent rocks from getting chipped, in the last stage of processing. They also help to produce very high finish. Ceramic media are however abrasive agents. Good luck mhandbook.com/rock-tumbler/
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 3, 2015 10:53:19 GMT -5
Ceramic won't hurt the rocks in a rotary and as stated can be used from start to finish. They will wear away used in coarser steps. GyRoc vibes need a heavy, full load or they break suspension springs. I can't speak for other brands but plastic will not work in GyRoc. I always hated having to have dedicated plastics for each step and switched to ceramics. Saw scraps or plain pea gravel can be used as filler in early steps too.
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billg22
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 451
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Post by billg22 on Apr 3, 2015 11:42:45 GMT -5
I've been using pea gravel in the first two stages. I only use plastic in the final stage. What about glass?
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 3, 2015 20:05:28 GMT -5
Glass would probably cushion but may be gassy.
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,584
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Post by Mark K on Apr 3, 2015 20:31:08 GMT -5
I use the purple quartzite crap they pave the roads with here. It is very hard and destroys the snowplows but it makes a wonderful filler. It looks nothing like anything you would want to keep so it sorts out easily. You can also cut up parts of an old toilet if you really want ceramic but can't get it or are too cheap.
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don
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2019
Posts: 9
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Post by don on Jan 21, 2019 23:22:19 GMT -5
From a newbie:
If I were to use tile spacers - a) what size and b) what type - some made of ceramic, some plastic, (and even wood). The sizes include:
1/8 inch 1/16 inch 3/16 inch 1/4 inch 3/8 inch
Also, I have never seen one - to you need do break them up before using in to toss in as is?
Thanks your your help one and all.
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don
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2019
Posts: 9
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Post by don on Jan 21, 2019 23:25:16 GMT -5
Can plastic beads be used multiple times - assuming used for the same step?
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hnhstngs
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since September 2018
Posts: 93
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Post by hnhstngs on Jan 22, 2019 10:31:15 GMT -5
Can plastic beads be used multiple times - assuming used for the same step? Short answer - yes.
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Post by miket on Jan 22, 2019 10:33:06 GMT -5
Correct: plastic in rotaries, ceramic in vibes. Some people also use tile spacers in rotaries because they're cheap and readily available. Chuck Oooh, I like the tile spacers idea. Redid a floor in the house a couple of years ago and I have some just laying around. Now, if I could only find them!
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 22, 2019 11:46:04 GMT -5
Buy some more. That is how I find things.
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Post by miket on Jan 22, 2019 11:58:22 GMT -5
Buy some more. That is how I find things. Haha, yes that usually does work
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Post by aDave on Jan 22, 2019 21:47:01 GMT -5
Correct: plastic in rotaries, ceramic in vibes. Some people also use tile spacers in rotaries because they're cheap and readily available. Chuck Oooh, I like the tile spacers idea. Redid a floor in the house a couple of years ago and I have some just laying around. Now, if I could only find them! Just know that plastic tile spacers don't float. That makes cleanout a pain. While they may accomplish the same as plastic pellets designed for tumbling, the fact that the pellets float are a distinct advantage. You can use the tile spacers if you like; I choose not to.
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