SpaceRocka
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2013
Posts: 6
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Post by SpaceRocka on Jul 24, 2014 11:41:39 GMT -5
Hi all, I am having a lot of trouble with my rocks coming out of the tumbler with fractures that weren't there when I put them in. I am using a Raytech TV-5 Tumble-Vibe vibratory tumbler. I am making sure to keep it at least 3/4 full, as the instructions say. I have used plastic pellets (which don't give me a problem in the the vibe, although I know some say to only use them for rotaries), glass marbles, small stones, and tile spacers as filler to cushion the rocks and to keep them from slamming against each other in an effort to avoid these impact fractures. Nothing seems to be working because I am still getting rocks with cracks and fractures. I am mostly tumbling hard stones like agates and jaspers. My frustration is growing because I have tried all I know to try and still I get these fractures. Am I missing something? Any insight or tips anyone can offer would be so greatly appreciated Thanks much everyone!
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Jul 25, 2014 18:20:33 GMT -5
No experience with the TV-5. Sounds like the action is too violent. Perhaps filling it near 100% might help. My thumlers vibe seems happier when its fuller.
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1nickthegreek
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 382
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Post by 1nickthegreek on Jul 25, 2014 18:26:34 GMT -5
I dealt with this issue as well, I solved it by buying a Lot-O tumbler and have had ZERO issues since upgrading to this brand.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 25, 2014 18:44:05 GMT -5
Too violent could be resulting from too light weight. Try ceramic or small gravel as a filler. My GyRoc will break springs with plastic filler and manufacturer says ceramics too light. I don't have issues with ceramics.
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,101
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Post by Thunder69 on Jul 26, 2014 21:30:49 GMT -5
Plastic pellets are not good cushioning...A mix of sizes in the batch is a good start..Ceramics are your best friend with a vibe...I only use them in the pre and polish stages ...John
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SpaceRocka
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2013
Posts: 6
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Post by SpaceRocka on Jul 28, 2014 13:28:41 GMT -5
I dealt with this issue as well, I solved it by buying a Lot-O tumbler and have had ZERO issues since upgrading to this brand. Thanks so much for all of your input everyone!! I think on the next batch I will try to keep almost 100% full and maybe try some ceramic media as well. The instructions for this tumbler say to avoid ceramic media, but I think they are referring to a "dry" tumble with metal jewelry (my best guess). 1nickthegreek, what type of Lot-O do you have? Make, model, etc. I will be on the lookout for one when I can afford to upgrade Thanks again so much for all of your advice everybody, very appreciated
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Post by connrock on Jul 29, 2014 10:10:17 GMT -5
It's pretty hard to crack agates and jasper in a vibe and I have to agree with John that the barrel is too light causing a violent reaction. Although MANY use ceramic media,,and there is NOTHING wrong with using them,,,,,in most cases,,,I like to use small rocks as filler/cushion.Rocks are rocks and have the same specific gravity which helps them to "tumble" better together.By using small rocks you also end up with a byproduct of tiny polished rocks. The biggest problem is finding enough small rocks every time you tumble a now batch of rocks.I remedy this (to an extent) by saving all the small pieces of rocks that I break for tumbling.I also same all the small pieces of slabs I end up with on my trim saw when cutting cabs out.
The only man made media that I have found that has a similar specific gravity as rocks is sold by the same company that makes the Lot-O-Tumbler but it's fairly expensive. connrock
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zerocd
starting to shine!
Member since July 2014
Posts: 27
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Post by zerocd on Jul 29, 2014 10:29:22 GMT -5
I pick up my "ride along" tumbling pebbles on my daily walks with my 3 Labs. I travel dirt roads, trails and stream bed, pebble bars to get a nice bag every day. They make nice "jelly beans" to fill display bottles and cloth gift bags. Delaware had sand colored quartz, quartzite and feldspar as well as plenty of chert and flint. I pick up some arrowhead points along the way.
I find these are way better than buying ceramics.
Pretty sure the local landscape rock places sell pebbles cheap but haven't looked in a while.
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Post by Peruano on Jul 29, 2014 20:39:02 GMT -5
I use a Raytech 5 vibratory tumbler and have had good luck with most loads of 3/4 full or more. I use soap and water to slow things down. Start with the rocks wet, but not additional water, add a dollop of Dawn dish washing liquid, and start up the tumbler. Things will rattle like heck for a second and you can slow things down with a dollop of water, . . . still rattling add a bit more water, but not so much that your rock are submerged. As they vibrate the soap and water will form a foam that 1. carries the grit, and 2. cushions the bounce. Once the rattles and movements have subsided in the first couple of minutes, add your grit (probably not more than 1 or two teaspoons). Once the grit has mixed with the soap you will see the grey grit laden suds all over your rocks except those at the very top. Clearly if you add too much water, everything will be too soupy and the grit will stay in the bottom and damage your bowl but enough water to slow things down and to make that suds carrying grit is what you are after. I agree with Conrock. Fragments, saw trimings and yes rejects from the last run should make your filler, and I try to avoid plastic pellets, tile spacers and the like. Ceramic media are fine, but relatively expensive compared to what I pick up while hounding. This technique works for my agates and petrified wood with occasional other things tossed in. The things that get fractures are those that are way softer or already fracture before I started. Good luck and don;t give up. Tom
BTW the same technique works with my tiny gyroc. Both are easiest to adjust with the initial run without top -- Just make sure the Raytech is tightened down with spacers - After things are adjusted right you can stop the machine and replace the top. If you try the whole run without the top you will need to check more often to keep things from drying out. At least in New Mexico where things are hot and dry. Cheers. Tom
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1nickthegreek
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 382
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Post by 1nickthegreek on Jul 29, 2014 20:49:43 GMT -5
I dealt with this issue as well, I solved it by buying a Lot-O tumbler and have had ZERO issues since upgrading to this brand. Thanks so much for all of your input everyone!! I think on the next batch I will try to keep almost 100% full and maybe try some ceramic media as well. The instructions for this tumbler say to avoid ceramic media, but I think they are referring to a "dry" tumble with metal jewelry (my best guess). 1nickthegreek, what type of Lot-O do you have? Make, model, etc. I will be on the lookout for one when I can afford to upgrade Thanks again so much for all of your advice everybody, very appreciated I just have the base Lot-O, single barrel and it is the best vibe I ever had....when I had the tv-5, the ceramic really just chewed the bowls up and they dried out so fast that I had to upgrade as it was driving me batty lol therockshed.com/rocktumbler/lototumbla.jpg
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SpaceRocka
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2013
Posts: 6
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Post by SpaceRocka on Jul 31, 2014 19:49:44 GMT -5
Thanks for the wonderful feedback everyone!! I will put all of this great advice to good use without a doubt. I have run a few other batches with this tumbler and have had very small rocks in, many different sizes from the size of a pea to the size of a silver dollar (maybe a few even bigger) and have had the same trouble with cracking and chipping. I mostly tumble Lake Superior Agates and have so many different sizes that I usually mix them all in together. Many of them seem to still fracture, so I'm guessing the main issue here is that I have to keep this tumbler almost all the way full. I was considering getting some ceramic media, but the website for this particular tumbler said to avoid ceramic media. I also know that ceramic is what is the usual media for vibes, so I was uncertain of which way to go! Anyway, I think it's best I stick with rocks according to what many of you are saying. Tom, I have read before about adding a bit of Dawn to the mix. I have read some who say it is great to use and I have read some who say to never use it....again, which way to go?? Do you know the reasoning anyone would have for saying to never use it? Perhaps it has a chemical that reacts with certain rocks? I have no clue, grasping at straws here, but just curious I'm all for it if it'll help to buffer things a bit!! Thanks again everyone for all of your help, I'm am truly appreciative. I'm excited to see how the next batch goes!
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