1200cc
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2022
Posts: 9
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Post by 1200cc on Mar 11, 2022 19:05:06 GMT -5
Has anyone here tried to use a tumbler as a Bead Mill with any success? I have always been a fan of spheres and was hoping there might be a way to use a rotating tumbler as a bead mill. I know there are machines that are dedicated to this task but would like to increase the utility of the the equipment I already have. If not I can always shape the spheres and then bulk polish them in the tumblers. Any input is welcome failures, successes and theory.
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herb
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 476
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Post by herb on Mar 12, 2022 10:10:39 GMT -5
Has anyone here tried to use a tumbler as a Bead Mill with any success? I have always been a fan of spheres and was hoping there might be a way to use a rotating tumbler as a bead mill. I know there are machines that are dedicated to this task but would like to increase the utility of the the equipment I already have. If not I can always shape the spheres and use the and bulk polish them in the tumblers. Any input is welcome failures, successes and theory. I rarely tumble and have never tried making a sphere or beads so take that into consideration when you read my reply :-) I dont think you'd have much luck using a rotary tumbler as a bead mill. Rocks in tumblers bounce around in random ways. In a bead mill the grinding action is much more controlled so the corners get rounded and you get a sphere. You can probably get the beads somewhat rounded in a tumbler, but I dont think you'd ever get spheres. But then again the imperfect look from a tumbler might give the beads a nice rustic or tribal looks that could be appealing. |
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Post by Starguy on Mar 12, 2022 12:04:39 GMT -5
1200ccI would say that the rocks will never get to the bead stage. If they were shaped into spheres beforehand, they could be polished in a rotary tumbler.
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Post by greig on Mar 13, 2022 8:35:29 GMT -5
The difference is control of the rocks for a basic shape. I have a bead mill, but hardly use it because the need to pre-shape the rocks. You would have to do an even better job of pre-shaping before tumbling and then control the tumble so they only roll to complete the rounding. Likely, the result won't be a perfectly round rock. If you don't have a bead mill, probably the better answer than a tumbler is to use a cab machine as you have more control.
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1200cc
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2022
Posts: 9
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Post by 1200cc on Mar 14, 2022 13:03:09 GMT -5
Greig I am glad you posted, your comment in the video of you demonstrating the mill about the lady you bought it from thinking it was a sphere machine is actually what got me thinking again about using a rotary tumbler for this. Being able to do large stones would be nice but I think being able to do any desired sizes that fit in the barrel would be best.
So I stumbled on this video in my research and it has some great tips, it is just the kind of thing I was looking for
@:55 in the video square stones are put into what they call "vibrating machines" some appear to have rounded better than others. This I just the kind of info I was looking for.
@1:46 then they put them in a traditional bead mill, this is the process I am interested in replicating in a rotary tumbler.
@2:14 next the beads go into a vibrating "tumbler with wax, chipped stone, and sand to polish"
@2:32 they demonstrate how they drill the holes for beads which is very interesting as well.
Just to clarify nice spheres are the end goal not necessarily beads, not saying some might not end up with holes through them. I understand that it is unlikely to throw a bunch of random rocks into a tumbler and expecting a ball to come out randomly is unrealistic but never is a very long time. Just keep in mind the earth has a more uniform surface than a billiard ball. Oh speaking of round things happy Pi day!
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