Ceramic Beads As Tumbling Media

[proflev]

Does anyone have experience using ceramic beads as tumbling media instead of the traditional small and large ceramic pieces.

Thanks.

[rockjunquie]

May 28, 2024 16:47:48 GMT -5 proflev said:

Does anyone have experience using ceramic beads as tumbling media instead of the traditional small and large ceramic pieces.

Thanks.

Do you mean ceramic beads as in the beads with a hole in it? If so, then no I haven't. The shape seems like it wouldn't really help. BUT, there is a ceramic media used by tumblers that has a shape that is more beneficial to tumbling. I have used them myself. They are reusable so they are cost effective.

[Tommy]

May 28, 2024 16:47:48 GMT -5 proflev said:

Does anyone have experience using ceramic beads as tumbling media instead of the traditional small and large ceramic pieces.

Thanks.

Welcome to the forum! I'm not even close to an expert tumbler but I would say that the ceramic pieces shape isn't critical given the billions of points of contacts with the rocks that occur? What would worry me with beads are the holes that grit is going to accumulate in.

[proflev]

www.amazon.com/Tonmp-Ceramic-Tumbler-Tumbling-Tumblers/dp/B0B389LJK9/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2RA34M3A52G3Y&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XOHRO9OzYOTFSG587A7GLXuP6v03WCietRy8ZIvnz4UgxAKQTxdpAl9Sqx-4XikT4eNaNEC2knbwAus8tIrH79gtgnZRd9DaWCkPEsszfEQPZQj9l2Y3MVIYt1G-6xJ8l1DHC0_AUlSUOWvtXyGNeAIyJGosYrkimXTzX4LO2kveO87pKoegt3XtNH-TqaeEA2Ef-bRTUeSPemt7yIe382h-PcH6Dp3PV3sJg8AhlMo.tO56RQ4PVD7qHSG6EdbUQnC3tDI7emB9ZrKaNpr2nro&dib_tag=se&keywords=ceramic%2Bbeads%2Bfor%2Brock%2Btumbling&qid=1717017463&sprefix=ceramic%2Bbeads%2Bfor%2Brock%2Btumblin%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-5&th=1

No holes.

[rockjunquie]

I have used these and a lot of other people have, too. Ignore the price- I was just looking for the right ones.

www.amazon.com/SACKORANGE-Tumbling-Ceramic-Non-Abrasive-Tumblers/dp/B08NVS51VG

[titaniumkid]

I've used beads but they came with a mix of other shapes, so I can't tell you if the beads alone were effective. They didn't unevenly wear then break in half like some of the other shapes did, so that is an advantage of using spheres.

[lou23464]

I use the 5 mm round bead media in my Mini Sonic tumblers. They help with the rolling action of the load & keeps the rocks from settling & locking up & jamming at the bottom of the barrel.

[stefan]

I have a mix of lg and small cylinders and the round balls. They are a pain to deal with (the bounce really well and they roll everywhere) But I love how well they work. I use them in a mini sonic

[chaosdsm]

Thank you proflev I just bought 6lbs of those ceramic sphere's.  I like the idea of spheres as filler because they have no edges!