hangogh
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2022
Posts: 1
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Post by hangogh on Jan 29, 2022 13:46:32 GMT -5
Hello, I’m trying to create a crystal chip confetti type mixture as a gift for my residents on my floor, I am an RA at SCAD, Savannah. I got a tumbler for Christmas and want to purchase bulk rough stones and break them down to tumble into crystal chips. I am struggling to find advice on tumbling rocks so they will become a chip size, and how I should go about it, any advice or links would help so much!!!
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,884
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Post by Tommy on Jan 29, 2022 14:30:08 GMT -5
Hello, I’m trying to create a crystal chip confetti type mixture as a gift for my residents on my floor, I am an RA at SCAD, Savannah. I got a tumbler for Christmas and want to purchase bulk rough stones and break them down to tumble into crystal chips. I am struggling to find advice on tumbling rocks so they will become a chip size, and how I should go about it, any advice or links would help so much!!! Welcome from Napa! Pardon my ignorance but what size (and shape) is a crystal chip ideally?
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rocket
spending too much on rocks
Quality slabs for quality cabs in 2022
Member since September 2020
Posts: 292
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Post by rocket on Jan 29, 2022 14:53:03 GMT -5
Welcome from Maryland
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rewdownunder
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 357
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Post by rewdownunder on Jan 29, 2022 16:18:34 GMT -5
Well that is a new one for me but I googled "crystal chip confetti" and I think there is a market for all those little pieces and trimmings we have been throwing away. hangogh your not going to be able to make chips in a tumbler but the material needs to be crushed first and then tumbled to round it off and polish it. Crushing rock to size is not easy without a special piece of equipment and is going to be a lot of work. From the prices I saw on the internet that is something you could just buy the confetti you need a lot cheaper than you could ever make it.
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brybry
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Member since October 2021
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Post by brybry on Jan 29, 2022 16:41:23 GMT -5
Only way I can think of is a large barrel and large ball bearings and let it spin. You would likely have to stop every so often to clean out the chips so they don't get powdered.
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Post by vegasjames on Jan 29, 2022 18:42:46 GMT -5
When I break up the rocks I collect all the chips then use them for fill instead of ceramic media. This smooths the chips out and polishes them. Then I separate out the chips for crafts or to put in little glass vials. 20200811_160756 by James Sloane, on Flickr
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rewdownunder
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 357
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Post by rewdownunder on Jan 29, 2022 20:20:10 GMT -5
Only way I can think of is a large barrel and large ball bearings and let it spin. You would likely have to stop every so often to clean out the chips so they don't get powdered. In the mining industry that is called a ball mill. Used to grind ore to separate what you want to recover from the rest of the rock.
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brybry
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Member since October 2021
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Post by brybry on Jan 29, 2022 20:23:10 GMT -5
Only way I can think of is a large barrel and large ball bearings and let it spin. You would likely have to stop every so often to clean out the chips so they don't get powdered. In the mining industry that is called a ball mill. Used to grind ore to separate what you want to recover from the rest of the rock. I knew it but couldn't think of the name so described it,lol.
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Post by rmf on Jan 30, 2022 8:23:57 GMT -5
Chips as you have shown are made from the -1/2 inch material. Typically when we crush rock we sift out tha -1/2" because most customers do not want to pay for fines. But the 1/4 to 1/12 inch will grind down to polished chips. A hammer mill makes 30 to 35 % fines, A Jaw crusher makes 15 - 20% fines.
Actually using a hammer makes 5 - 10% fines depending on material. Repeated cracking is required. Ball mills are not good for this.
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badrock
starting to shine!
Member since January 2022
Posts: 30
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Post by badrock on Jan 30, 2022 9:00:06 GMT -5
I don't know what the end product looks like. Probably off here... But have you thought of tumbling crushed or broken glass? It's colorful, easy to crush, and would make beautiful gifts.
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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 30, 2022 9:10:47 GMT -5
For that use, I would consider buying appropriately sized rocks to start. The Rock Shed sells a mix of rocks in an extra small size (1/4-3/8”). That would probably give you more of the size you want than attempting to cut or resize larger chunks. If you scroll down about two thirds of the way on this link you will see the various size listings for mixed rock. The great thing is the price for these small pieces at $10 for 5 pounds. therockshed.com/crushedrock.html
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