stretch316
noticing nice landscape pebbles
The only dumb question, is the one NOT asked ; I don't use credit cards
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Post by stretch316 on Dec 16, 2018 9:45:36 GMT -5
I'm reading up on using a Vibe. Came across information saying: NOT to use ceramics if you use SC grit on your stones and not to use plastic beads. What can you use as a cushioning material in a vibe?
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hnhstngs
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since September 2018
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Post by hnhstngs on Dec 16, 2018 10:03:06 GMT -5
First I've heard of not using ceramics with SiC. I routinely use ceramics in my UV-3 with 600 SiC with no issues at all. I have also started using quartz aquarium gravel as well (1/4 - 1/2"). Bought a 25 lb bag and high graded the smoothest stones to use in the vibe. I have done a couple batches of obsidian using the quartz and they came out with a good polish.
I've never used plastic beads in a vibe. Had always heard they are not dense enough to mix well and tend to just "float " at the top. I have used them in a rotary with success but got tired of skimming them off every time I did a clean out. I also was too cheap to invest in separate batches of pellets for each grit to prevent contamination with the next stage.
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Post by gmitch067 on Dec 16, 2018 11:19:52 GMT -5
stretch316 I have only been involved in rock tumbling for 2 years now (to my immense enjoyment). After using ceramics for the first year I shifted over to pre-polished aquarium gravel (1/4" to 1/2" gravel that I have run - only by themselves - through 220 SiC in a rotary for a week, and shifted to my UV-18 vibe to complete the polishing stages using AO-600, AO-1000, and AO-14000 polish). It is usually best to hand filter out those gravel pieces that are sharp edged, or those with pitted surfaces that can hide grit and contaminate the next load. I have had no problems using the gravel, and have had very good results getting a nice polish... especially with glass and obsidian. I have used plastic pellets in a few rotary loads and did not like the mess. My only attempt to use plastic pellets in a vibe (UV-10) was a complete disaster... not only did the pellets gravitate to the top of the load, they proceeded to bunch together in sheets - stacking on themselves - traveling up the inner sides and over the bowl lip... made a royal mess on the table top and floor every time I opened it to check the slurry and add water.
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Post by johnjsgems on Dec 16, 2018 11:51:32 GMT -5
Ceramics will work well. A mixture of sizes work best. Gravel works well in better vibes. If power is limited, ceramics are lighter weight. I have never heard of not using ceramics with silicon carbide. They won't embed with silicon carbide. A more expensive but harder material is porcelain polishing pins, used mostly for metal finishing applications. Have to be white, non-abrasive.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Dec 16, 2018 12:40:54 GMT -5
Always select the correct ceramic media for the job. Some is very aggressive best used in stage 1 for shaping and some is made for polishing. The aggressive stuff will eat a hole in your vibe hopper. Ceramic media purchased from the Rock Shed and other rock tumbling suppliers is designed of polishing. If you buy it on Ebay be sure to get the media designed for polishing. Vibrafinish color codes their ceramic media for different levels of aggressiveness vibrafinish.com/vibratory-tumbling-media/ceramic-media/
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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 16, 2018 14:30:19 GMT -5
Ceramics will work well. A mixture of sizes work best. Gravel works well in better vibes. If power is limited, ceramics are lighter weight. I have never heard of not using ceramics with silicon carbide. They won't embed with silicon carbide. A more expensive but harder material is porcelain polishing pins, used mostly for metal finishing applications. Have to be white, non-abrasive. I have a few yards of pea gravel.
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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 16, 2018 14:31:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the info folks
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agatemaggot
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Post by agatemaggot on Dec 16, 2018 15:26:36 GMT -5
Has anyone tried using reptile bedding available from most pet stores ? I use lizard bedding when I polish / clean my coins found metal detecting , I run 15 to 20 pounds of pennies at a time with a special compound powder from Minnesota Lapidary. I rum the mix dry without any water and 24 hours gives me a fresh from the mint shine on the Copper. To separate the media from the coins I simply empty the Vibe on a 1/4 in. mesh screen stretched over a 5 Gallon bucket. A quick rinse after moving screen to an empty pail an they are ready to go to the Bank. There is a bit of dust but most of us have a face mask we wear occasionally. $10.00 will buy a lifetime supply and each grit lot could be stored in an old coffee can and marked. Forgot to add that I give a good shot of W.D. 40 while running, before, adding polishing grit. If you think you got too generous with the spray, don't worry, it will disappear during the time in the vibe. I would give this a shot but am not doing any lapidary work at the moment, if it works on something soft as Copper and silver it might have a chance on something like Obsidian or other soft material. The bedding seems to last quite a while without breaking down also as I have run 4 loads of Pennies with the same media, just added more spray and grit .
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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 16, 2018 19:32:40 GMT -5
Has anyone used the stone that you put in Fish tanks?
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Post by vegasjames on Dec 16, 2018 21:12:58 GMT -5
Has anyone used the stone that you put in Fish tanks? Someone said they do use quartz aquarium gravel.
Keep in mind that some aquarium gravel is epoxy coated and some is also crushed coral, which is softer.
You can also find pea gravel in the gardening section of places like Lowes and Home Depot. Cheaper that aquarium gravel from pet stores.
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agatemaggot
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Post by agatemaggot on Dec 16, 2018 23:37:23 GMT -5
Pea gravel works well but you need to check the percentage of Limestone especially here in the Midwest. A high percentage of limestone will lock up your load !
You don't have to ask me how I know (THAT) but if you have it happen to you, a high pressure washer will get it out faster than a chisel or screwdriver because it will have a strong resemblance to Cement that is real close to being set up !
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Post by vegasjames on Dec 16, 2018 23:51:58 GMT -5
The pea gravel I have seen here is silica based. Looks like quartz pebbles.
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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 17, 2018 6:03:14 GMT -5
Pea gravel works well but you need to check the percentage of Limestone especially here in the Midwest. A high percentage of limestone will lock up your load ! You don't have to ask me how I know (THAT) but if you have it happen to you, a high pressure washer will get it out faster than a chisel or screwdriver because it will have a strong resemblance to Cement that is real close to being set up ! Thanks for the information. I have the limestone kind in my driveway.
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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 17, 2018 6:05:07 GMT -5
Has anyone used the stone that you put in Fish tanks? Someone said they do use quartz aquarium gravel.
Keep in mind that some aquarium gravel is epoxy coated and some is also crushed coral, which is softer.
You can also find pea gravel in the gardening section of places like Lowes and Home Depot. Cheaper that aquarium gravel from pet stores.
Thanks, I saw the aquarium gravel mentioned. Was wondering about that being I have a couple of aquariums.
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Post by vegasjames on Dec 17, 2018 6:07:42 GMT -5
Pea gravel works well but you need to check the percentage of Limestone especially here in the Midwest. A high percentage of limestone will lock up your load ! You don't have to ask me how I know (THAT) but if you have it happen to you, a high pressure washer will get it out faster than a chisel or screwdriver because it will have a strong resemblance to Cement that is real close to being set up ! Thanks for the information. I have the limestone kind in my driveway. Here is an example. The same company also sells the same stuff as pea gravel. If you enlarge the pic it looks mostly like quartz type stone.
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hnhstngs
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since September 2018
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Post by hnhstngs on Dec 17, 2018 9:02:35 GMT -5
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Post by vegasjames on Dec 17, 2018 15:57:02 GMT -5
I run a lot of rock in my tumbler with no grit just to clean them off and to round off the sharp edges. Works great. Should be able to do the same with the pea gravel. This would also ground down any softer stone in the mix. Once rounded it would be usable.
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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 18, 2018 4:46:54 GMT -5
I run a lot of rock in my tumbler with no grit just to clean them off and to round off the sharp edges. Works great. Should be able to do the same with the pea gravel. This would also ground down any softer stone in the mix. Once rounded it would be usable. Thank you
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Dec 18, 2018 6:23:21 GMT -5
Removing the epoxy from quartz pea gravel from the aquarium store. These are hand picked, 100% quartz, free of sharp edges and pits. They last a dozens of runs in the vibe if only running aluminum oxide. (AO 22, AO 80, AO 220, AO 500, etc) Warning - Silicon carbide will decrease their size... They are plenty hard enough to break down aluminum oxide quickly when run with soft stones like obsidian. Run 50% for a good rule of thumb.
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pizzano
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Post by pizzano on Dec 18, 2018 14:36:46 GMT -5
I'm reading up on using a Vibe. Came across information saying: NOT to use ceramics if you use SC grit on your stones and not to use plastic beads. What can you use as a cushioning material in a vibe?
stretch......Not to sound like a "loop-recording or skipping record", but at previous related threads I've often mentioned "ceramics" as a filler or buffer in vibe tumbling applications for several reasons......predominantly because I have found them to be the most efficient media to help accelerate and consistently provide a "balanced" well distributed surface preparation for EVERY stage (cycle) of stone vibe tumbling.
As you have noticed from other examples, there are quite a few ways to achieve similar results using different resources........It really boils down to what you have readily available or are willing to purchase, as well as how efficient and or problematic the media you choose will become over time. There will be a learning curve required for any process you select (some media will require more time, experimentation and selective effort/challenges......some media will just function as intended quickly and effectively), like ceramics.
I only mention this because I, and many others like myself, who have experimented with damn near everything over the course of time, have found that once one achieves a certain level of satisfaction and confidence, the natural progression (more often than not) will be to "raise the bar", become more selective, attempt to speed the process up and more critically analyze our results.........which, has been the aspect of this hobby that keeps me engaged.
So often (like with many hobbies), we see the initial enthusiasm, hunger for knowledge, dedication to effort and expense, slowly dissipate over time due to frustrations and challenges that seemingly become overbearing.......On the other hand, we see those same efforts and challenges overcome/diminished, in some cases, to become part of a life style and profitable (not just monetarily).........there are several examples of that reflected here at RTH.....!
My Point.........?.........Without exception, there is a ton of great advise to be had here (probably the best on the Internet).........all with trials/tribulations, successes and unimaginable complexity and simplicity............Like eluded to in previous responses, whatever resources, materials, applications and level of effort applied to the process you choose, they will forever be your own creations......bask in the happiness you receive and give others with those creations, take to heart and learn from those who have traveled this road before you.....many undesirable outcomes will be avoided by learning from the mistakes others have experienced.......without experiencing them for yourself......!
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