tj
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2014
Posts: 2
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Post by tj on Feb 20, 2014 17:22:35 GMT -5
I've been lurking around here for a month or two and have enjoyed learning about the hobby. I have a couple of questions regarding vibratory tumblers that I cant seem to find the info for.
Specifically, I am having issues with determining the correct amount of moisture in the various stages. I have looked for videos or pictures without much luck. So, here is what I need to know:
In the "burnishing" stages, how much water is in the bowl? Is it supposed to be filled up or just wet enough to make the borax stick? Also, on the polishing stages, how liquidy (I dont think that is a word) should the mixture be?
On another note, I've noticed that a couple of times I've had very small pieces of rubber start to appear after a couple of days (I assume from the bowl) mixed in with the polish or whatever stage I'm on. What am I doing to make the bowl wear like this?
Thanks for all of the answers.
TJ
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Post by Jugglerguy on Feb 20, 2014 18:26:34 GMT -5
I have a Lot-O tumbler, so my answers come from my experience with it. The Lot-O is a 4.5 lb. tumbler. I've never used another vibratory tumbler.
I don't really burnish, but I wash my rocks between stages, especially before polish. I use about a half cup of water with 1 TBSP of borax to wash. For all other stages, including polish, I fill the barrel with water, add my rocks, then hold my hand over the top while I dump out as much water as I can. So the rocks end up wet, but there's no standing water in the bottom of the barrel. During the 220 stage, the rocks get ground fairly quickly which results in a lot of rock dust. That's the only stage I need to add much water to. I give it just a few squirts from a squirt bottle when the rocks slow to almost a standstill. I'd say I squirt about every six hours. After 220, I rarely have to add water. Maybe a squirt or two for the whole 2-3 day stage. If the rocks are rolling, I never add water.
I don't know why you're getting pieces of rubber. That's never happened to me.
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 20, 2014 20:25:39 GMT -5
Rob's water method works for the brands I've used as well. I rinse rocks and ceramic media in a cheap collander and dump in dripping wet. I have had pieces of rubber with Mini Sonics when tumbling flat stones when they get stuck in one place. The Mini Sonic hopper is really thick so no big worry. Make sure you use plenty of ceramics or other media with the vibe. Burnish cycle can be really wet (think of wash cycle). You won't hurt anything like with too much water with grit. Polish about the same as grit cycles. Here again a little too much water won't wear through bowls like with grit.
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tj
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2014
Posts: 2
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Post by tj on Feb 20, 2014 20:55:24 GMT -5
Forgot to mention that I have the UV-10.
OK, so I will put more water in my burnishing stages. Appreciate the help.
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Post by 150FromFundy on Feb 21, 2014 19:36:01 GMT -5
tj - I also have a UV-10. As for moisture I pre-wet the rocks and ceramic media and add to the bowl. I then add 3 tbsp. of 120/220, 500F, 1000F or polish. Start the tumbler and most of the grit/polish will mix to a slightly too thick slurry. I then use a spray bottle to mist additional water until the slurry looks right. It should be a slurry, not a paste. There should be no excess ponded water in the bottom of the bowl. With 120/220 and 500F, you will have to add a few more sprays two, or three times a day. Do not over wet! With the 1000F and polish, you should check it two, or three times a day, but may not need to spray additional water.
As for burnishing, I rinse the load, bowl and lid until I'm convinced there is no more grit. Then I burnish with 1 tbsp. of borax and fill the bowl to 1/2" below the center cone. Start it up and stand back. It will splash. Burnish for a few hours then drain. If the water is still gray (and it will be) burnish again. Repeat the burnish until the water is clean to avoid contamination between stages.
As for a fine film of HDPE plastic ... coprolite happens! It's normal wear and tear as the grit grinds the bottom edge of the bowl away. The stuff floats and it is a pain to get the slimy layer of black off your rocks and ceramic media. If your rocks are pre-tumbled smooth in a rotary and you do not over wet the load, your bowl will last the longest. Coarser grit (120/220) does the most damage, but even a load of polish and 80% ceramic media will wear down the bowl. Over wetting the load causes your load to spin/slip in the bowl rather than tumble in a "circulating toroid" which can cut a bowl in a few days. I'm speaking from unfortunate experience on this one.
Good luck.
Darryl.
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mikeinsjc
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by mikeinsjc on Feb 22, 2014 13:37:00 GMT -5
Here's the technique I use. Fill the tumbler with rocks and water. Then pour off all the water, letting it drain about five seconds. As the rocks are tumbling, try to sprinkle the grit on the stones slowly, trying to uniformly coat the rocks- don't just dump it in. You want a coat of grit covering each stone- they should be shiny. When the rocks lose their shine, add a VERY small amount of water, maybe by the tablespoon, until the rocks get shiny again. You don't want to use too much water as it will wash all the grit into the bottom of the barrel.
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