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Post by Condor on Jan 27, 2020 22:58:00 GMT -5
When using ceramic media in the Lot-O vibrating tumbler, do you have some only for each stage, or do you rinse it off and reuse it in the next stage?
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Jan 27, 2020 23:11:33 GMT -5
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Post by aDave on Jan 28, 2020 0:49:31 GMT -5
When using ceramic media in the Lot-O vibrating tumbler, do you have some only for each stage, or do you rinse it off and reuse it in the next stage? There's no need to have stage specific ceramics, but you can choose to do whatever makes you most comfortable. The general consensus is that non-abrasive ceramics can be rinsed and moved along into each stage. I fall into the "go ahead and move them along with your rocks" crowd.
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Post by knave on Jan 28, 2020 0:51:47 GMT -5
Impervious to lots of things. Including shine, lol.
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Post by miket on Jan 28, 2020 10:17:43 GMT -5
I'm with aDave on this one. I've run ceramics in both the rotary and the vibe with success and I've never used stage specific ceramics or stage specific barrels. Others do- and maybe they get better results than me, but I haven't had any issues. Same goes for plastic pellets, no problems for me.
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Post by knave on Jan 28, 2020 10:21:18 GMT -5
They are very rock-like. Mohs of 9. Not very porous. Warsh with the rocks, send them on with the rocks. Keeps life simple. Can’t imagine drying, then storing 3 or 4 different “grits” of ceramics.
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Post by joshuamcduffie on Jan 28, 2020 10:38:45 GMT -5
knave - after you warsh the ceramics make sure you wrench them before sending them on with the rocks.
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Jan 28, 2020 11:17:58 GMT -5
When using ceramic media in the Lot-O vibrating tumbler, do you have some only for each stage, or do you rinse it off and reuse it in the next stage? There's no need to have stage specific ceramics, but you can choose to do whatever makes you most comfortable. The general consensus is that non-abrasive ceramics can be rinsed and moved along into each stage. I fall into the "go ahead and move them along with your rocks" crowd. Very good advice. I have a batch of ceramic media that I only use in my rotating tumbler for stages 1 and 2. For polishing stages 3 and 4 in my vib tumbler I use a different batch of ceramic media for only these two steps. I'm not sure I need to but I feel comfortable with this method and the results have been very acceptable.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,646
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Post by Tommy on Feb 5, 2020 17:57:38 GMT -5
Condor I know I'm late to the party but as the others have said ceramic can be washed - but for me, I keep it segregated just our of pure knuckleheadedness and the need to force myself to stay organized. I found these containers at Target a while back that hold almost exactly one Lot-O barrel full of ceramic. I keep one dedicated grit per container and it makes it real easy to finish a run, take the rocks out and simply empty one Lot-O barrel into one container. Rinse and repeat up the grit cycle.
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Post by Condor on Feb 6, 2020 14:52:51 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for letting me know how you do it. I started reusing the media at different stages, but I think I will get more ceramics and do it how Tommy does it. I like the idea of keeping them in separate containers for each stage. Maybe save some time that way. Tommy, in your picture of the containers, one was rough pieces. What do you do with that one?
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