kategoodwin
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 59
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Post by kategoodwin on Oct 3, 2011 17:14:20 GMT -5
Hi all! I'm new. I've been wanting to polish up some of these fun South Dakota stones I've fallen in love with and was told the reloading tumblers work great for this. Has anyone had any experience using them?? Thanks! Kate ps...I'm sure this has probably been discussed before...and I tried using the search option...I just couldn't get it to work.
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Post by rockrookie on Oct 3, 2011 17:34:43 GMT -5
welcome to RTH , Kate ! i'm sorry , i don't quite understand ( reloading tumblers ) unless you are just referring to rotary tumblers of vibrating tumblers . which both can be used for many numerous batches . i came here as a complete novice , and have learned most of what i know from members . --paul
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Oct 3, 2011 17:40:55 GMT -5
Ditto the welcome to RTH! Just a guess, but they may have been referring to vibratory tumblers. I just inherited my dad's Thumler's UV 10. He used it for polishing rifle cartridge brass. Reloaders use vibes as opposed to rotaries for this.
And of course, the UV 10 is a very popular rock tumbler.
Bill
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 3, 2011 17:44:16 GMT -5
Reloading tumblers are usually run with a dry polishing mixture, and run at a different speed than rock tumblers. If you have a vibratory tumbler, check underneath. There should be a counter weight attached to the motor output shaft with set screws. If you loosen the screws and move the counterweight closer to the motor, it'll make the vibrations less aggressive, and you should be able to tumble rocks with it. You may have to experiment with the counterweight to get the vibes right.
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kategoodwin
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 59
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Post by kategoodwin on Oct 3, 2011 17:56:49 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies so far! And yes...basically just the tumblers you can buy at Cabellas for polishing brass for those who reload their own ammo. A lady that works at the rock shop here in the hills said that they work faster than the regular rock tumblers, can be less expensive, and don't have to be ordered online. I'm just basically trying to decide what I should buy.
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 3, 2011 18:13:03 GMT -5
I bought my Thumlers UV 18 at a gun shop. With a little fiddling with the counterweight, it works great for rocks. And it was cheaper than buying a UV 18 from one of the lapidary dealers.
Don
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Oct 3, 2011 18:13:45 GMT -5
Don, That is great info! I had no idea all UV 10's are not the same. I think my dad got this from Herter's in the late 70's. He used crushed walnut shells. So here are pics of it, the counter weight is indeed near the fan and it could be moved closer to the motor. From the pics can you tell if this is not a actual rock tumbler? Thanks, Bill
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kategoodwin
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 59
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Post by kategoodwin on Oct 3, 2011 18:22:35 GMT -5
So can you use the crushed walnut shells or cob medium that comes with that type of tumbler for rocks or does it have to be the grit??
In the words of Joe Dirte'......"I'm neeeeeeew...I don't know what to dooooooooooo!!" ;D
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Oct 3, 2011 18:33:15 GMT -5
Kate, Ya gotta use grit. The shells are just for polishing brass, the rocks have to be ground down with something harder than they are. (silicon carbide grit)
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 3, 2011 18:33:58 GMT -5
The older ones can be used as is, with just a little adjustment to the counterweight. The newer ones for doing ammo have a drain at the bottom of the barrel. The drain can load up with grit, and must be cleaned after each use.
Kate, you'll have to use tumbler grit and water. The cobs or shells won't work on rocks. In fact, I once tried walnut shells in final polish in a rotary tumbler. The shells started to ferment and build pressure in the tumbler barrel. The lid blew off, and I had one hell of a mess to clean up.
Don
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Post by NatureNut on Oct 3, 2011 19:41:27 GMT -5
Don, thanks for the explanation on how to adjust the strength of the vibration. Never knew it could be adjusted. Jo
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 3, 2011 19:46:09 GMT -5
No problem Jo. I had to find out the hard way, when I reduced 14 lbs of Apache tears to little glass shards.
Don
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 3, 2011 20:55:00 GMT -5
Some reloading suppliers sell Thumler's rotaries. They are exactly the same as rock tumblers. Thumler's Industrial vibes are rated for rock and have a more powerful motor, thicker bowl and (I think) heavier springs. Using a standard vibe for rocks voids the Thumler's warranty. I've heard of people tumbling turquoise in walnut shell for a satin finish. You could also use if for a home made dry polish concoction.
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kategoodwin
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 59
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Post by kategoodwin on Oct 3, 2011 21:34:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies everyone. Sounds kinda like I should save myself the headache and look for a good rock tumbler. I was being impatient and didn't want to order online but I would probably have to order the grit online anyways. Hmmm...I'm sure this has been asked a million times but any opinions on a nice fairly inexpensive tumbler?
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 3, 2011 22:12:41 GMT -5
Hey Kate, I just noticed the location on your profile. How lucky can a person be ? Fairburn, S.D. Rockhounds heaven.
Whatever you do, don't buy a cheap tumbler. Get the best you can afford. Check the rock shops around Rapid City and the hills. You should be able to get a good one without having to wait on it being shipped. You should also be able to buy enough grit from them to get you started. But for larger amounts of grit, order it.
By the way, welcome aboard from a guy in Aberdeen, S.D. Don
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kategoodwin
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 59
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Post by kategoodwin on Oct 3, 2011 22:18:50 GMT -5
Thanks Don! I only moved out here about a year and a half ago from Iowa. I blame my rock obsession on growing up around nothing but corn and dirt. This is definitley a rockhounds heaven. It seems like alot of the rock shops around here are closing down for the winter already but I'll see if I have any luck this weekend. Otherwise I might bite the bullet and order online. Heck I've only been considering it for about a year now...so I'm not sure why I'm so concerned with waiting a week or two. lol
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 3, 2011 22:26:18 GMT -5
Now that the wife is finally signed up for SS, I'm trying to talk her into moving out to the Black Hills. Nothing on this side of S.D. but road gravel to collect. Don
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
A COUPLE LAKERS
Member since August 2011
Posts: 891
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on Oct 3, 2011 22:37:43 GMT -5
The search function is worthless.
Thumler also now makes a UV3 vibratory tumbler. It's just a standard UV10 base, not the industrial, but with only a 2.5 lb barrel for rocks. The Rock Shed, (in Rapid City) sells just the barrel and lid for $40, so if one already had a standard UV10, or could get a used one cheap, or inherited one, they could still use it as a small vibratory tumbler if they picked up the small barrel for it.
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kategoodwin
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 59
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Post by kategoodwin on Oct 3, 2011 23:04:34 GMT -5
Is the rock shed that lots of posters mention the one here in Keystone, SD? I didn't realize they carried/sold all those tumblers, I wonder if their actual shop stays open year round...hmmm... Don I understand totally. My boyfriend ranches about 40 miles north of Midland and I'm devastated that sometime in probably the near future I'll be moving that far away from all these great hunting spots. There's nothing there except road gravel and cow pies.
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
A COUPLE LAKERS
Member since August 2011
Posts: 891
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on Oct 3, 2011 23:36:40 GMT -5
Yes it's in Keystone, not Rapid City as I previously misstated. This is what their website says:
"Our Shop is open April to October from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. We are open October to March as weather permits, so please call ahead if you are traveling specifically to our shop during these months" 605-666-4813
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