Cement Mixer as rock tumbler

- N
- NovySan
  
  Contact options for registered users
posted
19 years ago

Wed, Oct 6, 2004 1:22 AM

OK, so I just got back from my first visit to Glass Beach in Ft. Bragg. It was utterly amazing and wonderful. I have an idea that will require quite a bit of tumbled sea glass. Luckily I drink a lot of things that come in beautifully colored bottles (love that Sapphire...). My question is, has anyone ever done large batches of sea glass with a cement mixer? I can get one off of ebay cheaper than the $200 Home Despot wants for a new one. It's capacity is quite a bit larger than the brass tumblers I've seen in gun shops. It looks like I could get about 5 - 10 gallons of stuff in there. Before I run down this road, if anyone's tried this and it worked out well or completely failed miserably, let me know.

For those of you who don't know, as I didn't, here's a URL

formatting link

- M
- Michele Blank
  
  Contact options for registered users
Vote on answer
posted
19 years ago

Wed, Oct 6, 2004 3:55 AM

unfortunately, Sapphire Bombay Gin is a painted bottle. Tumbling it's fragments will yield clear fragments. (found this out whilst melting bottles) As far as the mixer goes, i believe that the grit/ abrasive compound you use may influence your final result more than the method??? m

- C
- C Ryman
  
  Contact options for registered users
Vote on answer
posted
19 years ago

Wed, Oct 6, 2004 11:18 PM

Is this an electric cement mixer?

- R
- Rusty Mase
  
  Contact options for registered users
Vote on answer
posted
19 years ago

Thu, Oct 7, 2004 12:51 PM

You would be better off building one yourself as a cement mixer is designed just for that - not rock tumbling. A simple search for "rock tumbler plans" on any search engine will provide numerous approaches.

The problems include, assuming the cement mixer uses a steel container, the cullet and media will erode the walls of the container fairly rapidly and the cylinder will require replacement. Then assuming you are using water, the particulate steel resulting from this erosion will oxidize and "stain" the product. So clear glass will come out light brown.

Rusty Mase