moeferg
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 3
|
Post by moeferg on Feb 24, 2022 8:30:23 GMT -5
I am new to this but woudl appreciate any help advise. I bought the Dan and Darci tumbler and have been using their media also with the plastic pellets. I have looked around and found additional info but still have some questions. - How much media in my barrel? I have seen 1 tablespoon/pound and 2 tbs/pound
- How well do the plastic pellets work to should I buy ceramic?
- Is the Dan and Darci media ok?
- I am currently in the polish stage on day 6, I looked a sample and it doesn't have the shine I have seen, should I just tumble longer or stop and use borax? I have done a really good job at cleaning between stages.
Sorry for all the questions, anyu advise woudl be helpful.
Thanks in advance!
|
|
quartzilla
Cave Dweller 
Member since April 2020
Posts: 1,238
|
Post by quartzilla on Feb 24, 2022 8:49:22 GMT -5
I used their polish once when I first started; never again. It’s subpar. Look up The Rock Shed; their polishes made a big difference in my results.
|
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 24, 2022 8:52:45 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona! I don't tumble, but the tumbling experts will be along to give you some advice soon.
|
|
aGates
has rocks in the head
Building a silver studio
Member since January 2021
Posts: 518
|
Post by aGates on Feb 24, 2022 9:06:07 GMT -5
some one can correct me if im wrong but i hear the plastic pellets get grit impregnated into them. maybe keep them stage specific to lower your contamination risk. i have ceramic experince my advice there is buy the large media it breaks or wears and gets smaller as you go(it doesnt deteriate fast or anything but eventually the pellets get smaller), they dont get anything impregnating them so your safe from that risk. i bought my sic grit from kingsley north. as per polish i cant help still grinding in the pre polish stage. God Bless
Johnny aGates.
|
|
brybry
Cave Dweller
Enter your message here...
Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,221
|
Post by brybry on Feb 24, 2022 9:25:07 GMT -5
The polish kits that come with those suck. Look to The Rock Shed or Kingsley North for grit and AO polish.
|
|
|
|
Post by perkins17 on Feb 24, 2022 10:11:12 GMT -5
I started with that tumbler and ran with that polish for a year. It absolutely NEVER polished anything. Run the first three grits, and buy some aluminum oxide from the rockshed. Happy tumbling!
|
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Feb 24, 2022 10:16:37 GMT -5
Welcome from Virginia!
|
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Feb 24, 2022 11:55:22 GMT -5
Welcome from Southern California. You've gotten some good tips thus far, but I'll summarize my thoughts which may be repeats: 1. You can use anywhere from 1-2 tbsp per pound. That's based upon the weight (size) of the barrel and not so much how much material there is...at least that's what I did. At the end of the day, I was at 1.5 tbsp per pound (approx). 2. Your *polish* is probably not really polish. As others have mentioned, get new stuff. 3. The use of plastic pellets is okay, but don't use them in the coarse stage. They inhibit shaping and grinding. But, if you do choose to use them, use stage specific batches - don't move them along with your rocks. Someone already touched on this, but doing so removes the chance carrying impregnated grit into a subsequent stage. 4. Borax is only a means to clean your rocks and remove any film. It doesn't polish anything more. If your rocks have a satin or matte finish, Borax won't do a thing. It will only help with rocks that have already gained a shine. Lastly, take a look at this video below. Rob Jugglerguy is a user here, and he's offered some tips on using a tumbler such as yours. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsTc1kXUuPo |
|
moeferg
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 3
|
Post by moeferg on Feb 25, 2022 22:44:37 GMT -5
Thanks everyone!
|
|
|
|
Post by vegasjames on Feb 26, 2022 8:31:12 GMT -5
Welcome from Southern Nevada.
|
|
moeferg
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 3
|
Post by moeferg on Mar 2, 2022 19:23:15 GMT -5
Ran them through the polish process twice and still dull. The polish I use was from a grit bundle from DN and Darci. Thinking it’s the polish from the bundle??
|
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Mar 2, 2022 19:32:59 GMT -5
Ran them through the polish process twice and still dull. The polish I use was from a grit bundle from DN and Darci. Thinking it’s the polish from the bundle?? That's been one of the biggest complaints about the "bundle" grits that come with these types of machines. One of the most highly recommended sources for grit and polish is The Rock Shed. There are other places to get better polish than what came with the machine...but I would recommend TRS.  |
|
dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,622
|
Post by dillonf on Mar 2, 2022 20:49:59 GMT -5
I am new to this but woudl appreciate any help advise. I bought the Dan and Darci tumbler and have been using their media also with the plastic pellets. I have looked around and found additional info but still have some questions. - How much media in my barrel? I have seen 1 tablespoon/pound and 2 tbs/pound
- How well do the plastic pellets work to should I buy ceramic?
- Is the Dan and Darci media ok?
- I am currently in the polish stage on day 6, I looked a sample and it doesn't have the shine I have seen, should I just tumble longer or stop and use borax? I have done a really good job at cleaning between stages.
Sorry for all the questions, anyu advise woudl be helpful.
Thanks in advance!
I am new to the hobby - like you, and I appreciated the questions and all the great responses. |
|
