eljay
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2014
Posts: 13
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Post by eljay on Sept 8, 2014 20:51:00 GMT -5
So basically I always wanted to try rock tumbling as a kid, and my mom always vetoed it. I think they'd had some bad experiences with my much older siblings.
I wet tumble brass and realizing that my tumbler is based on rock tumbler designs got me thinking about what rock tumbling is like these days... and seeing the pictures here I'm hooked!
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Post by catmandewe on Sept 8, 2014 21:07:19 GMT -5
well you already have a tumbler if you are tumbling brass, go with it!
Have fun......................Tony
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Sept 8, 2014 21:25:20 GMT -5
ditto catmandewe - use what you have and have fun. cheers
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Post by gingerkid on Sept 8, 2014 22:17:38 GMT -5
Hi, elijay, and welcome to RTH! What kind of tumbler do you use for polishing brass (reloads??)?
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Post by snowmom on Sept 9, 2014 6:07:39 GMT -5
Welcome to the forums, from Michigan. there is so much learning to be had here and the members are so helpful, a great place to be. Glad you are with us.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Sept 9, 2014 8:19:14 GMT -5
Hi and welcome to the forum....Great people here and lots of fun!!! Thumbs up
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eljay
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2014
Posts: 13
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Post by eljay on Sept 9, 2014 11:01:14 GMT -5
Thanks, guys.
So lets talk about the tumbler situation a bit. It is for reloading ammunition, and it's a Extreme Tumblers Rebel 17. This is basically a Thumler's Model B High Speed with some other improvements so it can handle 4 pounds of brass instead of 2. It can actually use the Model B drums. It's a nice unit for what I'm doing with it - takes 3-4 hours and leaves the brass looking new. I have the following concerns about using it for rock tumbling...
1. It has twice the rotation rate I believe which may make it suitable only for brass. 2. I'd need to get a coarse and polish drum which would probably cost as much as the original unit (I wouldn't want grit or even polish in my brass drum, we use stainless steel pins). 3. I'd need to stop it occasionally to tumble brass. Not sure if there's a problem with that. 4. To fill it requires a lot of rock and it seems like the cost of a test batch is pretty high.
So I was thinking it would make more sense to get one of the two 3 pound drum units. A Lortone 33B seems very popular.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 9, 2014 11:44:45 GMT -5
Sounds like you have a good plan. If your still going to tumble brass I would leave that tumbler dedicated to that so you do not need to adjust speeds back and forth. It is not a problem to stop tumbling for a few hours at a time though if you choose to multi task that tumbler.
The lortone 33B is a very time tested machine and performs well.
There are a whole bunch of variables to rock tumbling and knowing what results you expect and how much time you can wait for your rocks to be finished dictates what size and type of equipment is required.
You found this site which means your already off to a great start.
Chuck
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Sept 9, 2014 12:16:57 GMT -5
just a suggestion, but, for a first time batch why not grab some beach stones, or even a couple hand fulls of parking lot gravel to try. This would e the cheapest way to start, the gravel or beach rocks, mostly agate, are a great starting material and very forgiving. Then you just need to get some grit and your ready to go!! most places that sell grit also offer grit kits that have what you need from course to polish and they are cheaper than buying pounds of each one. This will allow you a cheaper intro into tumbling rock and we are always available to answer questions.
Just remember that tumbling is not a quick activity. it is faster to gather 150 stones the same size and color from a beach than it is to course grind 50 of those same stones. It is definitely a labor of love mixed with a pound of patience.... or more!!
And lastly, don't be afraid to post pics no matter how they look , especially when asking questions so e can see what you see to better answer your questions!!
Good Luck and welcome to the addiction!!
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Post by gingerkid on Sept 9, 2014 12:43:16 GMT -5
If your still going to tumble brass I would leave that tumbler dedicated to that so you do not need to adjust speeds back and forth. It is not a problem to stop tumbling for a few hours at a time though if you choose to multi task that tumbler. I agree with Drummond Island Rocks, eljay. When hubby purchased a UV-10 for tumbling brass, I asked if I could use it for tumbling rocks. His response was no, I needed to purchase my own tumblers. I use the AR-2 with an extra set of barrels and the Raytech TV-5 since I don't have that much rock to tumble. The TV-5 vibe is inexpensive, but I have noticed that materials have dented and scratched the bowls already.
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eljay
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2014
Posts: 13
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Post by eljay on Sept 9, 2014 16:47:14 GMT -5
I don't *think* there's a way to adjust the RPMs of my unit without replacing the motor.
Good to hear my plan seems sensible. It's an interesting notion about gathering rocks - it seems like the various mix packs are an obvious place to start - but I do make it out to the water now and again (I'm in the East San Francisco Bay Area) and I'm sure some agate hunting is in my future. That being said I have two little kids so that might become more of a thing in a year or two if the oldest takes an interest.
I made a first pass on a shopping cart at The Rock Shed and then I realized I had probably 18 months to two years worth of rocks in there and maybe I should start weeding a bit. :-) On the one hand, that seems silly. On the other, 20% off and I like rocks. Sigh...
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iamnoone
having dreams about rocks
If it's not shiny, it's not finished
Member since October 2013
Posts: 69
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Post by iamnoone on Oct 23, 2014 18:18:20 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum!
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