plankspanker
starting to shine!
Member since October 2021
Posts: 31
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Post by plankspanker on Oct 27, 2021 6:27:37 GMT -5
Hi everyone, i'm looking into using ceramic or plastic tumbling media to use in the later tumbling stages in order to fill the space created when the rough becomes smaller from the first coarse grit tumbling stage. I'm wondering if i should choose ceramic or plastic, and either the large or small size pellets? Many thanks!
UPDATE: I'm also wondering if the small size pellets 3/16" X3/8" or the large size 3/8" X 5/8" are best for the Lortone 3 pound rotary tumbler drums? I understand thanks to hypodactylus, that the large pellets become smaller after prolonged use anyway, but i'm wondering if the larger pellets are a good size to start with in my 3 pound drums, or are the small pellets a better choice?
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hypodactylus
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 467
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Post by hypodactylus on Oct 27, 2021 10:09:22 GMT -5
Plastic pellets are used for cushioning; they don't really help grind the grit against the rocks as well as ceramic media. I used plastic media once and will likely never do so again.
Ceramic media is great tumbling media. Either size is fine, but I prefer the larger size since they last a lot longer than the small size. Eventually, the larger size becomes the smaller size anyway.
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plankspanker
starting to shine!
Member since October 2021
Posts: 31
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Post by plankspanker on Oct 27, 2021 13:00:17 GMT -5
Plastic pellets are used for cushioning; they don't really help grind the grit against the rocks as well as ceramic media. I used plastic media once and will likely never do so again. Ceramic media is great tumbling media. Either size is fine, but I prefer the larger size since they last a lot longer than the small size. Eventually, the larger size becomes the smaller size anyway. Thank you very much hypodactylus, for taking the time to help me make the right choice here, so i can get the pellets before i get started, as i think that i have everything i need to start my first attempt at tumbling as far as i know, aside from the ceramic pellets. I have the Lortone 33B tumbler, 2 extra drums for dedicated grit size/drum use in the four tumbling stages, (i'm waiting on a fifth drum for a burnishing stage with ivory soap flakes or borax, i'm not sure which soap is best) the large abrasive grit kit with micro alumina from Kingsley north, some nice types of rough-blue lace agate, carnelian agate, moonstone, and Brazilian amethyst. I think i'm ready to go. I'm including a positive attitude.
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RedWingTumbler
having dreams about rocks
Member since April 2021
Posts: 65
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Post by RedWingTumbler on Oct 27, 2021 17:16:13 GMT -5
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plankspanker
starting to shine!
Member since October 2021
Posts: 31
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Post by plankspanker on Oct 27, 2021 19:24:04 GMT -5
Thanks very much RedWingTumbler, this is really great.
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Nov 4, 2021 9:52:49 GMT -5
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plankspanker
starting to shine!
Member since October 2021
Posts: 31
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Post by plankspanker on Nov 9, 2021 16:16:16 GMT -5
Thanks gatorflash1, that's a good link
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,071
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Post by dshanpnw on Nov 13, 2021 8:54:57 GMT -5
Hello plankspanker, the rocktumbler.com instructions is where I turned to when deciding to use plastic beads or ceramics too. They do recommend the beads to cushion rose quartz and that's what I needed to know. Otherwise, I use only ceramics. The ceramic pellets have worked great on everything I've tumbled so far. I use both the small and the large in the 4 pound barrels, sometimes I mix them together, it kind of depends on what kind of rock I'm tumbling and what sizes they are.
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gregniel
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2020
Posts: 24
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Post by gregniel on Nov 15, 2021 8:56:20 GMT -5
Does anybody have a recommendation for a source to purchase ceramic media from? The best price I've found is a 5 lb bag for $28 mixed media (Large & Small).
Thanks!
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,512
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Post by Brian on Nov 15, 2021 10:06:06 GMT -5
Does anybody have a recommendation for a source to purchase ceramic media from? The best price I've found is a 5 lb bag for $28 mixed media (Large & Small).
Thanks!
I bought mine from Kingsley North. They charge $20 for 5 pounds. I only got the large size figuring that the large will turn into small eventually. kingsleynorth.com/large-ceramic-non-abrasive-5-lbs.html
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Post by knave on Nov 15, 2021 10:27:31 GMT -5
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plankspanker
starting to shine!
Member since October 2021
Posts: 31
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Post by plankspanker on Nov 21, 2021 17:32:42 GMT -5
Does anybody have a recommendation for a source to purchase ceramic media from? The best price I've found is a 5 lb bag for $28 mixed media (Large & Small).
Thanks
I got 5 lbs of the 3/8"X5/8" for 25 bucks at amazon
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