stretch316
noticing nice landscape pebbles
The only dumb question, is the one NOT asked ; I don't use credit cards
Member since December 2018
Posts: 77
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Post by stretch316 on Dec 5, 2018 6:33:39 GMT -5
Greetings [stretch316] you may find the two weblinks useful, as here on RTH the only vendors that seem to exist are "The Rock Shed" for tumbling supplies, "JS Gems Lapidary" for high end or cabbing machines and "Kingsley North" for bulk grits, there are vendors elsewhere including Canada, it was a sticky for a number of years, but no more, the other is still a sticky! Vendors worldwideAussie Lapidary Forum: Rock Tumbling Guide! Thank you. I don't use credit cards. I think I've found a "local" supplier, they are about an hour away.
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Dec 5, 2018 6:54:29 GMT -5
Try a Sandblasting company ?
Generally ... rock tumbling is divided into 4 grit steps: 1-Course 2-Medium 3-Fine 4-Polish, but you can get many different sizes of grit so you can add as many steps as you want to in order to get the results you are looking for.
The most popular additional step is between Fine & Polish and is called Prepolish. Usually it is 1000 or 1200 AO Aluminum Oxide, I use 1000 AO. So then it will be a 5 step process. Cleaning the rocks after running the polish stage is a great idea but doesen't always make the rocks more shiny.
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stretch316
noticing nice landscape pebbles
The only dumb question, is the one NOT asked ; I don't use credit cards
Member since December 2018
Posts: 77
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Post by stretch316 on Dec 5, 2018 8:23:38 GMT -5
Try a Sandblasting company ? Generally ... rock tumbling is divided into 4 grit steps: 1-Course 2-Medium 3-Fine 4-Polish, but you can get many different sizes of grit so you can add as many steps as you want to in order to get the results you are looking for. The most popular additional step is between Fine & Polish and is called Prepolish. Usually it is 1000 or 1200 AO Aluminum Oxide, I use 1000 AO. So then it will be a 5 step process. Cleaning the rocks after running the polish stage is a great idea but doesen't always make the rocks more shiny. With what I'm able to find locally "within an hours drive", this is what I'm looking at for tumbling. Stone Tumbling Tumbling : test run 2 with 2 lbs gem stones - 42 days – start to finish (+14 days to TR#1) 1) Grit #1 : 9 days, high speed - 2) 1 Tbls soap – 24 hours low speed 3) Grit #2 : 9 days medium speed 4) 1 Tbls soap – 24 hours low speed 5) Grit pre-polish #3 : 10 days low speed (pre-polish) + plastic pieces for cushoning 6) 1 Tbls soap – 24 hours low speed 7) Grit Polish #4 : 10 days low speed (polish) + plastic pieces for cushoning, Ivory soap shavings, gem stones should be nice and shiny after a rinse
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stretch316
noticing nice landscape pebbles
The only dumb question, is the one NOT asked ; I don't use credit cards
Member since December 2018
Posts: 77
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Post by stretch316 on Dec 5, 2018 11:35:33 GMT -5
RPM is a really easy calculation on a tumbler. Put a piece of tape on the barrel and count how many times it goes around in 30 seconds then multiply by 2. Knowing the RPM and barrel diameter will let us compare it to some of the more common brands. Chuck Good day Chuck; Got my numbers. Speed #1 - 80 rpm Speed #2 - 100 rpm Speed #3 - 120 rpm Barrel Diameter – 5 ¼ “
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Post by johnjsgems on Dec 5, 2018 12:01:20 GMT -5
If he is cash only, websites won't be an option. Except for information.
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Post by johnjsgems on Dec 5, 2018 12:02:50 GMT -5
You could open a PayPal account if you have a bank account. A lot of sites take PayPal.
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Post by aDave on Dec 5, 2018 12:05:39 GMT -5
RPM is a really easy calculation on a tumbler. Put a piece of tape on the barrel and count how many times it goes around in 30 seconds then multiply by 2. Knowing the RPM and barrel diameter will let us compare it to some of the more common brands. Chuck Good day Chuck; Got my numbers. Speed #1 - 80 rpm Speed #2 - 100 rpm Speed #3 - 120 rpm Barrel Diameter – 5 ¼ “
Holy smokes! Your tumbler barrel turns that fast? I really don't have an opinion if that's a good or a bad thing, since I've never tried your tumbler. Just double-checking...did you count for just 30 seconds (and then multiply by 2), or might have you actually counted for one minute and then multiplied? I only ask as Lortone rotary tumblers turn at a much slower rate - these are the only numbers I have for comparison. The 3 lb barrels (4 1/8" diameter) turn at about 45 rpm's. The 4 lb barrels (5 3/4" diameter) turn at about 35 rpm's.
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stretch316
noticing nice landscape pebbles
The only dumb question, is the one NOT asked ; I don't use credit cards
Member since December 2018
Posts: 77
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Post by stretch316 on Dec 5, 2018 12:43:52 GMT -5
Good day Chuck; Got my numbers. Speed #1 - 80 rpm Speed #2 - 100 rpm Speed #3 - 120 rpm Barrel Diameter – 5 ¼ “
Holy smokes! Your tumbler barrel turns that fast? I really don't have an opinion if that's a good or a bad thing, since I've never tried your tumbler. Just double-checking...did you count for just 30 seconds (and then multiply by 2), or might have you actually counted for one minute and then multiplied? I only ask as Lortone rotary tumblers turn at a much slower rate - these are the only numbers I have for comparison. The 3 lb barrels (4 1/8" diameter) turn at about 45 rpm's. The 4 lb barrels (5 3/4" diameter) turn at about 35 rpm's. Yup, that fast, I counted 30 seconds. I'm running the tumbler in my bathroom, its one of the cooler rooms in the house. I understand that my brand has the habit of overheating and burning out.
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Post by As I in does tries! on Dec 5, 2018 14:21:39 GMT -5
All rotary tumblers have the have an average temperature 75°C (167°F)!
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stretch316
noticing nice landscape pebbles
The only dumb question, is the one NOT asked ; I don't use credit cards
Member since December 2018
Posts: 77
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Post by stretch316 on Dec 5, 2018 15:01:37 GMT -5
All rotary tumblers have the have an average temperature 75°C (167°F)! Time to put one of those temp stickys; that you use on carboys for making wine or the ones used on fish tanks.
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Post by johnjsgems on Dec 5, 2018 18:48:41 GMT -5
The barrels get warm and the motors generate heat. In an enclosed room you might have motor issues.
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stretch316
noticing nice landscape pebbles
The only dumb question, is the one NOT asked ; I don't use credit cards
Member since December 2018
Posts: 77
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Post by stretch316 on Dec 6, 2018 4:28:42 GMT -5
The barrels get warm and the motors generate heat. In an enclosed room you might have motor issues. I use the bathroom to cool the kitchen.
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