afterburnt
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2021
Posts: 152
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Post by afterburnt on Jun 28, 2021 17:12:57 GMT -5
I saw a tumbling video on Youtube where the guy had an Ultrasonic Cleaner but I can't remember what he used it for, I think if was between stages. I was wondering if I should get one? Please advise.
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Post by rmf on Jun 28, 2021 19:45:53 GMT -5
If you have rocks with lots of vugs then it might be helpful. Normally when I tumbled I would not tumble rough that was that needy. too much work but I was tumbling lots of weight. Ultrasonic cleaners are good for getting polish out of vugs and cracks.
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reeniebeany
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rotary Only
Member since January 2020
Posts: 125
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Post by reeniebeany on Jun 29, 2021 10:07:17 GMT -5
I use one sometimes to check and see if stage one is complete or if more is needed. And I use it like rmf mentions, to clean rocks with vugs or stubborn dirt. We already had it, so I use it, but it isn't mission critical. Saves some on the hand scrubbing.
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afterburnt
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2021
Posts: 152
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Post by afterburnt on Jun 29, 2021 12:28:29 GMT -5
I think I will get one to save some time and to be extra safe with vugs.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,340
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Post by quartz on Jun 29, 2021 22:07:42 GMT -5
We bought one several years ago to help with the rock cleaning. Got the smaller of two ofered by Harbor Freight, it turned out this same unit was sold by several different companies, HF had the best price, and were distance handy. It has worked well for us, shop it.
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Post by fernwood on Jun 30, 2021 6:11:59 GMT -5
I have one, but have never used for rocks. Just for cleaning jewelry. Eventually, will try it on rocks. Agree that it could be useful for cleaning some rocks prior to tumbling or between stages.
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Post by RickB on Jun 30, 2021 7:46:05 GMT -5
Should work great for cleaning tumbled material. Wife used it with jewelry cleaner to clean a piece of gold jewelry with a shell cameo. Bad idea as it etched and wore out the cameo. Not to be used to clean pearls either.
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electrocutus
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2020
Posts: 331
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Post by electrocutus on Jun 30, 2021 9:11:08 GMT -5
Has anyone compared between using an ultrasonic cleaner and doing a Borax tumble wash to clean rocks between steps? I usually run a Borax wash between my steps because it cleans both the rocks and the tumnbler really well in one step.
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afterburnt
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2021
Posts: 152
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Post by afterburnt on Jun 30, 2021 18:05:15 GMT -5
I sent for one, I will report back when I try it. Thanks.
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afterburnt
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2021
Posts: 152
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Post by afterburnt on Jul 30, 2021 14:49:34 GMT -5
I got a pretty small one but learned a neat trick on YouTube. I got some tall plastic jars that fit and now I can process stuff beyond the ultrasonic's capacity, it also keeps the bucket clean. I am running a second batch using the ultrasonic between washouts. So far so good, no brushing out vugs and cracks and it seems to be going ok.
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,715
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Post by khara on Feb 16, 2023 22:13:22 GMT -5
afterburnt Are you still using your ultrasonic cleaner much?
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afterburnt
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2021
Posts: 152
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Post by afterburnt on Feb 18, 2023 11:23:16 GMT -5
afterburnt Are you still using your ultrasonic cleaner much? I use it between every stage.
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afterburnt
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2021
Posts: 152
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Post by afterburnt on Feb 19, 2023 9:01:04 GMT -5
I use a waterpick in addition to the Ultrasonic for those rocks.
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jimmie
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2021
Posts: 233
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Post by jimmie on Feb 19, 2023 9:28:32 GMT -5
Hose real good, then ultra sonic. It does help.
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 2,497
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Post by rockbrain on Feb 19, 2023 10:27:21 GMT -5
Works good for cabs too if they have any little pits with polish in them.
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