Biglou13 Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 I have some feldspar chips and granite, that is a bit large for inclusions in clay. I need smaller bits. I'm thinking a ball mill/tumbler to make easy work of this. What media in tumbler/mill should I use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 Take your feldspar and granite and put them in separate bisqued bowls. fire them to bisque temperatures in your electric kiln. The granite will now be brittle enough to pound with a hammer. Sieve to taste. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biglou13 Posted August 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 I was trying to get away from pounding with hammer. I have pounded with hammer, to 10 pound sledge both worked without bisque. But if it makes it easier then I'll try. I'll add that to list of things I have bisqued/calcined. Still interested if anyone use ball mill/tumbler....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 Ironically, I am an expert on ball milling ,having used a 30 gallon ball mill to blunge clay, and a 10 gallon ball mill to mix glazes. In order to grind granite, or flint, you still have to calcine. There is quite a good section on ball mills in Michael Cardew's book "Pioneer Pottery.' I'd give you the page #, but I am too lazy to go upstairs. Ball mills are traditionally made out of porcelain, but I have seen 5 gallon plastic buckets used. The speed is critical. you want the clay balls set at a speed to pound. Too slow, and they slide along the interior and grind your mill. Then your balls go flat.[had to say it. Sorry] Harry Davis used to build them as well. Try you tubing it. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Miller Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 Great advice, TJR! Cardew's book is fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmism Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Ball mills are traditionally made out of porcelain, but I have seen 5 gallon plastic buckets used. The speed is critical. you want the clay balls set at a speed to pound. Too slow, and they slide along the interior and grind your mill. Then your balls go flat.[had to say it. Sorry]TJR.There is quite a good section on ball mills in Michael Cardew's book "Pioneer Pottery.' I'd give you the page #, but I am too lazy to go upstairs. So learn me on the differences between that ^^ And a harbor freight rock polisher, some steel ball bearings, and a handful of granite chips? http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/tumblers-vibrators/3-lb-rotary-rock-tumbler-67631.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 In order to grind granite, or flint, you still have to calcine. TJR...... I grind my granite uncalcined. But I am getting "dust" from the water cutting at the quarry. 6 hours. best, ...................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrgpots Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 I also ball mill my granite and feldspar without calcining. My mill grinds to 200 mesh in 6-8 hours. I ama bit of a rebel and have a steel drum and stainless steel grinding balls. Jed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biglou13 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 What's up with the black crap in my feldspar chips from Custer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Ball mills are traditionally made out of porcelain, but I have seen 5 gallon plastic buckets used. The speed is critical. you want the clay balls set at a speed to pound. Too slow, and they slide along the interior and grind your mill. Then your balls go flat.[had to say it. Sorry]TJR.There is quite a good section on ball mills in Michael Cardew's book "Pioneer Pottery.' I'd give you the page #, but I am too lazy to go upstairs. So learn me on the differences between that ^^ And a harbor freight rock polisher, some steel ball bearings, and a handful of granite chips? http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/tumblers-vibrators/3-lb-rotary-rock-tumbler-67631.html That rock polisher is a hobby item. I have used them to polish rocks. I think if you look at a geological supply, you might pick up a used one. they are bigger. The balls are porcelain. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biglou13 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Well i didn't get flat balls. I didn't nor will need a mill. After calcining I put in 5 gal bucket and mashed, not hammered with top of sledge, now I need some larger mesh screen, to get the size I want. Thanks for the tips! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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