nich
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2015
Posts: 17
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Post by nich on Nov 18, 2015 18:25:09 GMT -5
Hello, this is my first time posting, so i am sorry if this is not in the correct place. I am newer to rock tumbling, waited for years to buy my machine, ended up getting 2, a rotary and a larger vibe. Now that i have spent HOURS reading and admiring everyones rocks and am COMPLETELY addicted , i have a question . When doing the Borax / ivory flakes load in my vibe machine, why is it that the machine will not churn or have the same tumbling action it does with the grit, that vibe churn that i expect to see? It just kind of wiggles and shakes while it turns around the barrel , Never really rolling around with the same shaking/rolling action vibes make normally or in grit loads. This happens with any kind or amount of rock/media combo I have tried. I can add the items , turn it on to get it going it will tumble normally , as soon as I add any Borax or ivory soap the churning/ tumbling action changes completely and just jiggles around the barrel. But i will say that even just the little bit it moved it did make a noticable change in the load , so if i could actually get it right , who knows what i will get. 1. How do you load your borax/ivory load in your vibe machine? 2. How much water to soap ,media ,rock, etc?
Does this happen to all vibes in the borax load or is it just me.. Hope this is not to confusing . Thank so much for any info you can give... This site has helped me TONS already ...
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 19, 2015 10:07:50 GMT -5
what brand and size of vibe tumbler?
1) I add one tablespoon of borax for the loto at 4.5 pound capacity. 2) Water level in the loto is very easy to set because you just put your rocks and media in, fill it with water then turn the barrel upside down with your hand under the opening to drain all the water out. The wet rocks that are in the barrel are the perfect level of water to start the load in every stage.
Borax added at the amount listed above has never changed the motion in my loto. Incorrect water level is the most likely culprit for incorrect motion.
Chuck
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,676
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 19, 2015 10:13:08 GMT -5
As said "water levels" make the different...I use Ivory bar soap myself,just shave off what I need,usually a TBSP per load..
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Post by Pat on Nov 19, 2015 10:19:44 GMT -5
I have a small vibratory tumbler that I use exclusively for tumbling metal jewelry.
I use a mixture of steel shot with a drop of Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent in water.
If I get too much water in the bowl, it won't move; just sit there like a slug.
The right level of water is just so it can barely be seen from the top, with some of the shot tops out of the water.
Why are you adding borax?
Good luck and thanks.
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jordan57
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2015
Posts: 2
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Post by jordan57 on Nov 20, 2015 14:44:58 GMT -5
Thanks for your info. I think i know the problem now. I was going on some info i had received somewhere else, but i am almost positive i was adding WAY WAY WAY to much borax/ ivory soap. I also cut the soap off of the bar in VERY THIN Bits, but when i would add it to the already tumbling machine it would start this problem, so I tried the Borax. I was using the same amount of water i do with my grit loads, basically damp rock is all and it has always runs great. I am using a raytech av-25 which has been great for me it was just this wash load problem. Also using ceramics as filler etc. Loads always tumble and churn perfectly until i added the soap/borax. I never really did a wash load like this before, it was suggested by a friend to try it she thought I might like the results. which i did , even the little bit of movement that I got really did make a differance. I was very suprised. Thanks again for the info I need to go load my machines and try with a LOT less stuff added.
Just curious if i was going to try this in my rotary machine at some point . how much of the ivory or borax would you use for a rotary 3 lb barrel.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,676
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 21, 2015 10:07:51 GMT -5
2 1/2 to 3 TBSP's to a three pounder....
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