denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Feb 6, 2022 20:53:17 GMT -5
Hello, I just got a new Raytech Vibe-5 tumbler and I have some questions:
1) Can I ust ceramic media with this tumbler? I do steps 1-3 in my rotary tumbler and I don't have enough rocks in my 1st batch to come anywhere near filling the tumbler.
2) The instructions for adding water make it sound like the tumbler runs low on water frequently and you have to add more. Is this true? Is it common to have to add more water during the polishing? They say to add 2 teaspoons; that seems like hardly any water to me.
Thank you in advance for helping me with this. I am kind of scared of my new tumbler
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brybry
Cave Dweller
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Member since October 2021
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Post by brybry on Feb 6, 2022 21:06:17 GMT -5
The smaller ceramics have a tendency to get hung up in the thick slurry at the bottom of the bowl on the TV-5. For polish the ceramics should work fine as your slurry won't be thick. You could also use marbles or glass decor pieces or smooth pea gravel.
Keep an eye on your moisture level. Doesn't need much but the rocks rubbing together creates heat. You want just enough to keep everything moving smoothly but too much will impede movement. The pre-polish and polish stages aren't that bad about needing constant misting.
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Feb 6, 2022 21:11:59 GMT -5
Thank you!
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brybry
Cave Dweller
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,220
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Post by brybry on Feb 6, 2022 21:18:48 GMT -5
FWIW, the TV-5 instructions kinda suck. I let the rocks tell me what they need or if I did something wrong. It'll take a bit but once you get a few rounds in you'll be a pro.
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Post by vegasjames on Feb 6, 2022 21:51:11 GMT -5
You should run your ceramics in the rotary for a while first to wear down any sharp edges.
The vibes do use little water. Too much water will not only slow or stop proper movement, but also washes off grit causing it to settle to the bottom.
The water can evaporate or be sucked up by the mud formed with many stones being tumbled, so you should check water levels several times a day adding just enough water to keep the rocks moist and allowing proper movement of the rocks. Some people use a spray bottle to control how much water is being added so they do not accidentally add too much.
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afterburnt
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2021
Posts: 152
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Post by afterburnt on Feb 7, 2022 21:44:17 GMT -5
I do what he does except in a Raytech.
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Post by rmf on Feb 8, 2022 5:03:36 GMT -5
denversue Vib tumblers are very picky about the amount if water you use. Too little is not good and too much stops the tumbling action. you should see the stones not only rotate around the center cone, but also rotate inside to outside. When you get too much water they just sit and bounce in place.
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