@kumsamut For this load I used Thumler plastic beads to cushion the stones and to help distribute the polish. I find the beads help reduce frosting on the edges of the stones. I have used ceramic tumbling media (generally 1/8 inch) but find that I get better results with the plastic beads when doing the final polishing of the stones. The ceramic media work better than the plastic beads in the earlier stages of the process.
@g3yye thanks for info. i am in thailand. i want to make a large spinning thumbler, not the vibratory ones. i don't know where to buy the vibratory ones here in thailand. how much is it. how long do you process. mine is fluorite.
@kumsamut I got the Thumler UB-18i for $260 from The Rock Shed. They sell many tumbling machines on their website. I usually process rocks for 6 to 10 weeks in my rotary tumblers. In the vibrating tumbler, I can get to a great shine in about 2 weeks with the stones maintaining their shape. I like smooth stones so generally grind in my rotary machines and polish in the vibrating machine. Good luck. Fluorite can be very beautiful.
@kumsamut 1. The tumbler lid blocks a lot of the sound - so I run most of the time with the lid on. 2. Distance - the machines are hard to hear when you are not in the room where they are located. 3. I listen to rock music when I am working with the machines - you hear the music, not the machines.
do you know what are those small pieces for polishing?
kumsamut 1 year ago
@kumsamut For this load I used Thumler plastic beads to cushion the stones and to help distribute the polish. I find the beads help reduce frosting on the edges of the stones. I have used ceramic tumbling media (generally 1/8 inch) but find that I get better results with the plastic beads when doing the final polishing of the stones. The ceramic media work better than the plastic beads in the earlier stages of the process.
g3yye 1 year ago
@g3yye thanks for info. i am in thailand. i want to make a large spinning thumbler, not the vibratory ones. i don't know where to buy the vibratory ones here in thailand. how much is it. how long do you process. mine is fluorite.
kumsamut 1 year ago
@kumsamut I got the Thumler UB-18i for $260 from The Rock Shed. They sell many tumbling machines on their website. I usually process rocks for 6 to 10 weeks in my rotary tumblers. In the vibrating tumbler, I can get to a great shine in about 2 weeks with the stones maintaining their shape. I like smooth stones so generally grind in my rotary machines and polish in the vibrating machine. Good luck. Fluorite can be very beautiful.
g3yye 1 year ago
@g3yye holy s. 2 weeks? how do you stand the noise?
kumsamut 1 year ago
@kumsamut 1. The tumbler lid blocks a lot of the sound - so I run most of the time with the lid on. 2. Distance - the machines are hard to hear when you are not in the room where they are located. 3. I listen to rock music when I am working with the machines - you hear the music, not the machines.
g3yye 1 year ago
@g3yye Ouu, The irony. "Rock" music lol
TheCraigandrews 9 months ago