Ceramic Tumbling Media?

[randy88k5]

I am looking to tumble some aluminum tanks fairly soon. I've looked at buying ceramic media from online stores, but it and the shipping is fairly expensive. I can't really find anyone relatively local that will sell it either.

I bought some gravel from Lowes and plan on giving that a try. But I got another idea...

I have many many ceramic coffee mugs that have accumulated in the cabinets over the years. Does anyone know if this is the same type of ceramic used in tumbling? Do you see any problems mixing in these ceramic chips from the mugs with the gravel?

 

[James R]

I hope this is a joke. Gravel? Broken coffee mugs?! Come on...

 

[Captain_Bob]

has to be a joke.

 

[Paulmal]

has to be a joke.

You never know.

 

[Peter_C]

What is wrong with gravel? It may only work for a couple of tanks before it is worn out, but it does work. Are you afraid of breathing what will become dirt? Remember it should be thoroughly washed after. Most any media that will remove some of the metal surface will work. As long as it isn't toxic and does the job...

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/do...k-tumbling-problem-film-residue-no-shine.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tanks-valves-bands/386943-tumbling.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tanks-valves-bands/219767-can-steel-cylinders-glass-beaded.html

Of course GMC Scuba is going to recommend against it. They SELL expensive tumbling media. Of course said media should last a lifetime.

 

[Superlyte27]

I wonder if lead has ever been found in ceramic china from uh.... china.
Oh wait, yah, it has. I'm not sure I want to contaminate my tanks with coffee cups possibly containing lead. At any rate, dude, just take the stuff to a dive shop. What's it cost to tumble a tank? 10 bucks maybe?

 

[randy88k5]

No, this is not a joke. There have been several threads on this forum where people have used different media for tumbling, including gravel. Clean gravel, although softer and not as abrasive, would act the same as aluminum oxide and ceramic chips customarily used. A good rinsing is needed either way.

I was concerned that the ceramic coffee mugs would disintegrate rather than cleaning the tank surface. I did not even think about the lead issue. Thank you for bringing that up. Best not to introduce any toxic substance if it can be avoided.

 

[halocline]

The lead would be in the glaze, I guess. I have no idea. Just out of curiosity, why are you tumbling AL tanks? Have you thought about an abrasive whip? Some folks have made some good ones.

 

[chrpai]

I wonder if lead has ever been found in ceramic china from uh.... china.
Oh wait, yah, it has. I'm not sure I want to contaminate my tanks with coffee cups possibly containing lead. At any rate, dude, just take the stuff to a dive shop. What's it cost to tumble a tank? 10 bucks maybe?

It's a lot more then $10. And that's *IF* you can find anyone who can be bothered to do the work.

 

[Glenn08]

ALUMINUM tank ? Why do you want to tumble an aluminum tank ?