markb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2022
Posts: 472
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Post by markb on Jul 1, 2022 14:06:41 GMT -5
Does the level of rocks in this UT-10 vibe bowl look correct for a Stage 2, 220 Sic tumble? All my documentation says to fill it 2/3 full. Of course the water will be dumped out before I begin, and I included several more smalls for filler and also more smaller rocks than before. Thanks, Mark
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Post by Peruano on Jul 1, 2022 15:02:03 GMT -5
I use the action of the rocks as the indicator of the final fill level. Too violent, add more rocks. Too slow, take out the biggest rock or two to see if there is a change in action. Sometimes a bit of soap will slow things down as it coats and carries grit, but if things are really slow and sufficiently wet, you may have too big of a load or not enough slurry. I do add smalls to add weight without adding big surfaces that impede movement. I find the acceptable load for a vibe depends as much on the shape and texture of the rocks as it does on their mass. Rough rocks don't jiggle as well and hence might call for a lighter load. If you were processing a lot of small smooth stones, lets say garnets or apache tears, you could really fill that bowl up to a higher level. All that and I'll say your level looks fine to me. You have relatively small and round rocks that should move well. Some loads move wonderfully, others seem to plod along and scare me that they are just wearing a hole in the barrel with little other progress. Go figure.
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markb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2022
Posts: 472
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Post by markb on Jul 1, 2022 17:47:18 GMT -5
I use the action of the rocks as the indicator of the final fill level. Too violent, add more rocks. Too slow, take out the biggest rock or two to see if there is a change in action. Sometimes a bit of soap will slow things down as it coats and carries grit, but if things are really slow and sufficiently wet, you may have too big of a load or not enough slurry. I do add smalls to add weight without adding big surfaces that impede movement. I find the acceptable load for a vibe depends as much on the shape and texture of the rocks as it does on their mass. Rough rocks don't jiggle as well and hence might call for a lighter load. If you were processing a lot of small smooth stones, lets say garnets or apache tears, you could really fill that bowl up to a higher level. All that and I'll say your level looks fine to me. You have relatively small and round rocks that should move well. Some loads move wonderfully, others seem to plod along and scare me that they are just wearing a hole in the barrel with little other progress. Go figure. Thanks Tom. I run my rocks in a rotary tumbler for Stage 1 first, to shape them up and for surface imperfections, then on to the vibe for stages 2, 3 and polish. The first time I ran it the motion was fine, even though some said I didn't have enough smalls, but the only thing I wondered about upon completion was how the bowl looked scraped or stained, even though I cleaned it many times making sure all past residue was gone.
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,071
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Post by dshanpnw on Jul 1, 2022 19:13:08 GMT -5
Hi Mark, what you have in there is just fine. I usually fill mine to a little below the center piece, about an inch. It can be pretty full, and it also depends on the sizes of rocks and if you have any larger ones in there. I also use media, about 1/3 media, 2/3 rocks. Try a little more next time maybe.
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brybry
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Member since October 2021
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Post by brybry on Jul 1, 2022 20:42:42 GMT -5
Looks ok to me. Worst case is you add some more smalls to top it off.
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markb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2022
Posts: 472
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Post by markb on Jul 1, 2022 22:20:20 GMT -5
dshanpnw, brybry, Ok, in it goes with the possibility of adding some media to it. With my first run it did okay, and I kept it moist when needed, but I always wondered if I filled it too full.. I can understand why they suggest using a different bowl for stages 3 and polish, and if I could find one to buy I would probably order it. Thanks for your help! Mark
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Post by Peruano on Jul 3, 2022 16:56:08 GMT -5
When you consider the action of gazillion vibrations per minute against a seemingly normal plastic bowl. I'd forget a bit of change in the surface. It's a hole in the bowl that you are trying to avoid. Tumbling is like marriage, there is no one recipe but when you pay attention and stick with it beautiful things result. You are paying attention so expect wondrous results.
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