caliagatehound
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2022
Posts: 2
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Post by caliagatehound on Jan 24, 2022 18:21:04 GMT -5
So, the kids are starting to get excited on rock tumbling. I showed them my collection from growing up and they are stoked to get started. I’m not looking to spend frivolously with this “hobby” yet until it’s a proven venture, that being said… my question to all of you is:
Would it be wise to cut up some old ceramic tile to similar sizes and run it through a tumbler to create my own ceramic filler?
Thanks in advance.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 24, 2022 18:26:20 GMT -5
Great question and welcome to RTH! Sorry, I can't help with your question, but someone will. I'm sure.
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Post by Starguy on Jan 24, 2022 18:30:21 GMT -5
caliagatehoundThat should work fine. I have never used ceramic media. You can find small agates for sale at very reasonable prices. It will take you quite a bit of time to saw up the tiles, and diamond blades aren’t cheap. Just trying to throw out another option.
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caliagatehound
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2022
Posts: 2
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Post by caliagatehound on Jan 24, 2022 19:42:29 GMT -5
I’m going to give it a shot. Will upload photos once complete.
Thanks for the feedback.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 24, 2022 20:12:33 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona!
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,512
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Post by Brian on Jan 24, 2022 20:53:46 GMT -5
I had some spare tile and had similar thoughts. Rather than saw it, I figured I would just break it up, but it shattered. Cutting it would been time consuming.
Another good option for filler is pea gravel or, what I ended up using aquarium gravel. The kids actually liked that a lot because we ended up with a whole lot of shiny pebbles. It's cheap and a whole lot less easier than using tile.
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LazerFlash
Cave Dweller
The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 550
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Post by LazerFlash on Jan 24, 2022 23:32:07 GMT -5
Welcome from Charles Town WV. (Think John Brown's pre-Civil War raid.)
I have to wonder if the effort to break/cut up ceramic plates - not to mention the safety issues - isn't worth it...? You can buy various sizes of ceramic filler for about $5 per pound from the The Rock Shed.
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Post by vegasjames on Jan 25, 2022 13:16:25 GMT -5
Seems to me that it would not work well. The reason is that the grit would have to stick to the media itself so it can abrade at the rock while tumbling. Most tile is glazed on one size though and it does not seem like the grit would adhere to the glazed portions of the tile.
Another issue is that when you break up tile you will have a lot of very hard, sharp fragments that would wear more on the barrel/bowl.
Personally, I think using ceramic media made for tumbling or rounded pea gravel would be much better choices.
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