chattanooga
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2009
Posts: 2
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Post by chattanooga on Jan 7, 2009 22:24:10 GMT -5
Both my wife and I are new to tumbling and need guidance on what to do next. My wife suggested to me that for Christmas she would like a tumbler, so I did a "Little" research and discovered that a vibe would be the best for the novice. I hope that that information is correct. I am looking for any and all information on how to get started tumbling using a vibe.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 8, 2009 8:33:05 GMT -5
A vibe can be tricky, but it's what me and a few others have started out with as well. You definately came to the right place. First question- what model did you get? Have you started tumbling yet? Most vibes come with instructions, and those are a good start but we've all figured out "stuff" ;D Hang around and ask many questions! Here's a few notes for ya....
Most of us use a spray bottle to apply the water to the tumble. When using a vibe tumbler, you should only add enough water the get the grit to cling to the stones. Also, the vibe bowl should be 3/4 full. Any less and the tumbler won't work efficiently. Run the stones in the coarse grit for two days, checking the load 3-4 times a day. If the movement of the stones starts to slow down, give then a couple sprays until they move again and put the lid back on. After two days, clean off the stones and inspect. ("NEVER" wash the load in your sink) The slurry will turn into concrete in your plumbing. It's best to clean them outside. I use and old window screen to dump the rocks on. If they aren't smooth enough for your liking, add fresh coarse grit and start the tumble again. If you think that they are smooth enough, place them back into the bowl, add 500 grit and start the tumble again. The 500 grit won't require a re-charge. I run my load in the 500 grit for three days (checking 3-4 times a day). On the third day, clean the stones really good, scrub the inside of the bowl and lid, place the stones back into the bowl and run them in Borax and water for three hours. Rinse the stones and bowl, then you're ready for the polish stage. The reason for the Borax is that you want to ensure there's absolutely no reminants of any grit whatsoever in the load before moving on, or your polish stage will be wasted. Note that there are only three stages (grit) for a vibe tumbler.... Coarse 120/220, Fine 500, and polish. For polish, Aluminum Oxide works the best in a vibe. The Rockshed has the best AO polish, and Shawn is a really cool guy to deal with. If you have any questions, keep on posting!! ....or you can send me a PM anytime.
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Jan 9, 2009 15:51:17 GMT -5
I don't know anything about vibes, but welcome. Be sure to post some pics of your first batch.
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Post by frane on Jan 9, 2009 21:11:54 GMT -5
Welcome to the board! A vibe is something I have been trying to master and am getting better at. I am still waiting on some more stones to get the shape I want in the tumblers before I finish them in the vibe. It really speeds up the process but I am finding that I never finish up with enough rock in the tumblers (1 1/2 to 3 lb size) to do an adequate vibe load(4 1/2 size). Very important to keep it 3/4th full at all times. I suspect that will be the issue for you also. I don't think I have ever seen a vibe smaller than 4 lb. load size. each process has it's own learning curve and so many hear have done very well with it. I have a Raytech TV5 but I wouldn't recommend it to you. The bowls seem to be fragile and scratch up easily. (plastic) most of the vibes have rubber bowls/containers. Fran
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Post by Bejewelme on Jan 13, 2009 23:45:25 GMT -5
I don't know anything about tumbling, but you are from PA, and quite possibly a football fan, so welcome! There are many great people on here who will be able to answer your questions. Amber
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chattanooga
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2009
Posts: 2
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Post by chattanooga on Jan 25, 2009 19:33:03 GMT -5
Bikerrandy, In your reply to my request for how to start Vibe tumbling, you said "make sure the bowl is 3/4 full." Do I need to separate the stones according to the Mohs hardness scale? I am a faceter and I work with gemstones, I have several gem quality stones, that I would like to tumble, just for the effect, but I surely do not have that many of the same hardness. I have Topaz, Emerald, Sapphire, Ruby, small tourmalines, Then I have igneous rocks, Aventurine, Ruby in Zoisite, Tanzanite, And all of the quartzes, Citrine, Amethyst, Smoky, Rose, Rock Crystal, etc. I also have jasper and agate. As you can see they are all over the Mohs scale. So how should I approach this dilemma? Thanks for your help.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 25, 2009 22:28:28 GMT -5
Sent PM
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uneekarts
starting to shine!
Member since December 2008
Posts: 42
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Post by uneekarts on Jan 26, 2009 9:59:59 GMT -5
Oh darn, I was wanting to hear the answer to that one. I expect a good solution to not having enough rock to make the 3/4 bowl is to just run 2 runs of course and hold the first batch aside until you are sure you will have enough to complete the process??? I guess that's what I'd do. doc
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