markymark
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2015
Posts: 396
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Post by markymark on Nov 21, 2015 22:38:51 GMT -5
Hi everyone I'm new here and new to tumbling. I have learned a lot from everyone in here and thank you all for that. Bought a tumble vibe many years ago finally putting it to use. Here are some of the highlights of my first tumble. This was a 5 day tumble.. day one...150 grit , 24 hours day two.. change bowel and ceramics, and use aluminum oxide pre polish for 2 days. day four...clean and use cerium oxide 24 hours day five ...clean and burnish with soap and borax 8 hours Still a work in progress. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for all your posts. M
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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 22, 2015 10:09:22 GMT -5
Looking great, welcome to the group. Why not go to the introduction section and tell us all about you LOL. Looks like you are off to a good start. 150 grit might be a bit harsh on your barrel, but its not that much courser than 220. Other tumblers will chime in. Got to love bots.
Tom
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markymark
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2015
Posts: 396
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Post by markymark on Nov 22, 2015 22:18:48 GMT -5
Hey Tom Thanks...btw whats a bot? I will get some 220 when I run out of the 150. Is there a cheaper polish I could be using to get equal or better results? M
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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 22, 2015 22:42:09 GMT -5
Cerium is about as cheap as it gets. There are tumblers on here with a ton more knowledge than me. You don't need to use much polish with a vibe at all. And I think it can be reused
Google botryoidal and you will get a ton of info. But basically a rock that looks like a bunch of grapes:)
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 23, 2015 7:21:05 GMT -5
Cerium is about as cheap as it gets. There are tumblers on here with a ton more knowledge than me. You don't need to use much polish with a vibe at all. And I think it can be reused Google botryoidal and you will get a ton of info. But basically a rock that looks like a bunch of grapes:) Cerium Oxide runs about $20 a pound and the Aluminum oxide that 95 percent of the folks on here use (myself included) runs about $5 a pound I used Cerium for my first couple tumbles too but would never go back to it for tumbling after using the aluminum oxide. Cerium www.kingsleynorth.com/skshop/product.php?id=46509&catID=189Aluminum oxide www.therockshed.com/grit.htmlNice first batch markymark. Rocks with all those nooks and crannies are difficult to clean out between stages and yours look great. What brand of Vibe tumbler are you using? I use a loto and have been using the 120/220 mixed grit for stage one for 3 years non-stop with no barrel issues at all. Heres a good example post of a botryoidal tumble from some Georgia coral forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/72327/tested-rotary-vibe-lager-botsChuck
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,562
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Post by jamesp on Nov 23, 2015 8:33:35 GMT -5
Well done bots. Yep, stock up on the alum oxide, Rock Shed has some very economical high grade AO 500 and AO 14,000. Two friendly grits for a vibe.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 23, 2015 10:24:04 GMT -5
Also if you do it right,with no cross over contamination,you can use your grit slurry over again....I also just bought my 1st batch of Aluminum oxide....... Old hounder here,but also new at the tumbling game... Your tumbles are looking great-Thumbs up
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Post by adam on Nov 23, 2015 11:44:58 GMT -5
That batch is wonderful for being your first.
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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 23, 2015 12:00:13 GMT -5
See I told you the pro's would show up:) And yes MY BAD its alum oxide that is cheap NOT Cerium. *Crawls back into hole*
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markymark
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2015
Posts: 396
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Post by markymark on Nov 23, 2015 14:01:16 GMT -5
Hey everyone thanks for the props...All good Tom!... Chuck, I'm not sure of the tumbler but it does say gemstone manufacturing on the side. I think its the Raytech TV-5 with Gemstone manufacturing sticker on it. Thanks for the links, and tips. My C/O was $16 for 8oz at my local rip off supply. Looking forward to saving a few bucks and trying the A/O. I will have to admit that I let the pre-polish dry while tumbling (long day and didnt get back in time grrr). But, fortunately I do have a textile gun. If you dont have one I highly recommend it for nooks and crannies. 3000 psi at your fingertips. Just watch out! Thanks again everyone this is so much fun. M
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