learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Feb 18, 2011 9:15:40 GMT -5
Where I'm at---
My kid got this toy-quality Discovery Kid's Gyrotech tumbler. It came with two 8oz rock batches and grit for two four-stage processes. Of course it totally crapped out two stages into the first four-stage process; I expected that the way the thing was built.
That would be the end except years ago, my sis-in-law gave us, on permanent loan, a micro-sonic vibro tumbler that holds two 4lb or one 10lb hopper. Also, three jars of vibra-dry compounds. I believe this is like $300-400 worth of stuff. I've never tried to use it.
So, it'd like to finish my kids batches that came with the toy. Then maybe get a bag of rocks and some grit and do a larger batch. My kid is intro rocks right now and think it would be a fun activity to do together.
So I'm here to learn. Two questions--
I think trying to finish the 8oz batches with wet media might not work in the big tumbler as it's way too small a batch for the hopper. Since it's been through the first two grinding stages, do you think it would be okay to finish it with the vibra-dry; I read that's only useful for pre-polishing and polishing?
Where should I start in buying a batch of rock and some grit for a larger batch without spending a ton of $$$ ?
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Feb 18, 2011 9:47:51 GMT -5
Hi
Welcome to RTH
I havent any Idea of the machine you are using or have the loan off, some others will coment on that
I just wanted to thank you for joining RTH and wish you all the best
Jack Yorkshire uk
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 18, 2011 10:41:04 GMT -5
First, welcome aboard. If you've got questions, the folks on here have answers for you. I'm not big into tumbling rocks, so won't even try to answer tumbling questions. But if you're looking for tumbling rough, keep an eye on the Buy, Sell & Swap section. Someone on here always has more tumbling rough than they need. Sometimes they'll give it away for just the cost of postage, and often they'll sell it at very reasonable prices. Don
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Post by 150FromFundy on Feb 18, 2011 10:42:07 GMT -5
For supples, The Rock Shed will have what you need at reasonable prices. Service is top notch!
Expect to pay about $3/lb for grit and polish and between $3-$4/lb for tumbling rough. Learninbg to collect your own rock will both lower costs and increase personal satisfaction.
Welcome aboard.
Darryl.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Feb 18, 2011 11:09:38 GMT -5
I'm not sure about the equipment your using but I do know that 8oz of rock is WAY to small of a load for a 4 Lb hopper. I would investigate getting more rock and working that through the course stage and then adding your other batch to it for finishing. For most parts tumbling is a wet activity so I'm not sure about dry polishing. Also patience is very important in this hobby. Take your time and go slow as there is a pretty good learning curve (hehe I'm still learning). Oh and welcome aboard!
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 18, 2011 11:11:54 GMT -5
Learn2turn, what part of the country are you from ? There may be members near you who would be willing to take you and your son to their favorite collecting sites, so you can collect your own tumbling material. They'll also be able to show you what is the best material to collect for tumbling. Don
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daisyd681
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2011
Posts: 104
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Post by daisyd681 on Feb 18, 2011 11:28:10 GMT -5
I just had to get a "real" tumbler when my craft store "toy" popped a bunch of holes part way into the second batch. It happens. If you look at my thread "Hole in Barrel" in this forum, I believe it's the last post, someone gives those toy tumblers a good home. You can find interesting rocks just about anywhere. My first batch was a mix of the stuff that came with the tumbler, and a few random rocks I had found in dry creek beds. I have no idea what they are, but they came out nice enough. Ebay can also be a good source for rough. I got some nice moonstone there.
Good luck!
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charles kuchar
spending too much on rocks
getting ready for the second coming
Member since November 2010
Posts: 300
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Post by charles kuchar on Feb 18, 2011 13:07:04 GMT -5
welcome to the board. the buy and sell section usually has lots of nice rough to tumble and at very reasonable prices. therockshed.com has rocks for sale at reasonable prices. your vibrator should need 8 pounds if using two sections or 10 pounds if using the whole thing. with the vibe you use a lot less grit than a tumbler and it completes stages faster. there is lots of help for a beginner on this board in the various sections. charlie
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Feb 18, 2011 13:24:46 GMT -5
I'm in eastern Massachusetts. No idea if there is any interesting rock around.
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 18, 2011 14:01:13 GMT -5
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Feb 18, 2011 15:05:30 GMT -5
I'm looking at therockshed.com and it looks like there's some reasonable stuff to start with.
What do you do with fist-sized pieces? Break up with a hammer into smaller pieces before tumbling?
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Feb 18, 2011 15:08:46 GMT -5
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 18, 2011 15:39:23 GMT -5
Looks like there might be some nice stuff in the beach stone batch.
You can break up large pieces with a hammer, but wear safety glasses and long sleeves when doing it. And make sure your son and any pets are clear of the area. Those sharp pieces of stone can fly a long distance. Don
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 19, 2011 8:42:05 GMT -5
Sounds like you have an MT10 Mini Sonic (now a Diamond Pacific product as is the Vibra Dry). You can look both up on their website. By the way it is about a $600 set up before the Vibra Dry. Vibra Dry starts at 600 so you would need to do a 120/220 or 220 step first. Never use 60/90 or 80 grit. Any grit used is used barely damp. You won't get the rounded pebble look from this or any vibe tumbler. Beach rocks would work well. Wash the drums well between steps. Pea gravel can be used as filler or you can buy non-abrasive ceramic media. You need to use very small rocks or the ceramic media as a grit carrier in a ratio of about 30% up to 70% for flat surfaces. Welcome to the board.
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Feb 20, 2011 8:04:21 GMT -5
I'm trying to get more info on vibrating polishers and found a bit. Not sure if I should ask this question in another thread or not but figure I'd start here since someone mentioned rockshed here. Would the medium mixed rock mix and/or small mixed rock mix be to jagged to use in a vibrating tumbler? There are this page-- therockshed.com/crushedrock.htmlMedium 3/4" to 1 1/2" -- therockshed.com/crushed/crushmix.jpgSmall 1/2" to 1" -- therockshed.com/crushed/100402smtumbmix.jpgI'm thinking of buying a couple lbs or each, and maybe a lb or two of the mini. I just want to make sure it will work in the MiniSonic.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Feb 22, 2011 21:41:06 GMT -5
The vibe tumbler will smooth out the rough edges. The biggest difference between the rotary tumblers and the vibe tumblers is that the rotaries will actually make the stones round. The vibes will make the rock smooth, but without changing the original shape of the stones. I run mine for 2 days in the coarse grit. If I don't think that they are smooth enough, I wash the stones and the bowl, add fresh coarse grit and go for 2 more days. Repeat this process until you're satisfied with the smoothness of the stones, then move on to the next stage.
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