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ball mills

updated wed 24 nov 04

 

amy parker on sat 7 mar 98

could you use a rock tumbler for a ball mill? we have a kid-size &
kid-priced one that just goes round & round - VERY CHEAP. i know from
experience that it can reduce ROCKS to DUST in a week! (oops!)

also - the newer "vibrating" rock tumblers aren't too pricey - would they
work as a ball mill, or does the whole thing really need to roll over?

amy parker Lithonia, GA
amyp@sd-software.com

BobWicks on sun 8 mar 98

A rock tumbler IS A BALL MILL.

Bob

Birdsong Hill on mon 10 jul 00


Hi all,
Am new to computers and to clayart so if I goof, forgive and let me know.
Have loved watching clayart discussions. I just graduated in Dec. and this
has been a real lifeline. The discussions are wonderful and informative and
I want to contribute when I can. At the moment, I'm looking for a used ball
mill in the Dallas-Ft.Worth, Tx. area. Is there a bulletin board or
somewhere else for me to post this? So far I just know how to get to clayart
and email so if instructions are necessary-go easy! I've come to the
conclusion that clay and computers have things in common-both never ending
challenge, fun and at times frustrating.
Thanks in advance,
Carol Birdsong Hill

Des Howard on tue 24 jul 01


Ron
I have been using a 2 jar lapidary rumbler for
30+ years to process raw materials,
usually coarse sand to impalpable.

It may not be "efficient", it just works.

I seem to remember Cardew pointing out if a
ball mill's lining is wearing out the mill is
running with too few RPM, the milling comes
from the balls crushing the charge between each
other not rubbing it against the mill lining,
so if John has little wear it would indicate
his RPM are pretty spot on.

Industrial applications frequently have different
start & endpoints to most potters requirements.
Des

> As someone who is interested in constructing a ball mill, I was lead by the archives to a D.I.Y. ball mill made originally from a design by Cardew's "Pioneer Pottery". This was modified and admirably described and illustrated by John Harlow on his website http://www.bath.ac.uk/~ccsjrh/ballmill.htm
> However as John himself states in his description that he has had little wear on the plastic drum in 20 years.... I feel that this is a polishing mill and not ideal or efficient for grinding material. I say this having had some experience with Industrial Ball Mills in the mining Industry.
> These all have liners generally with a wave pattern on the wearing face(Inside diameter) and as the wave wears down the efficiency of the mill lessons considerably.
> What are the opinions of interested experienced Ball Millers, Potters and Vince, of course.
> ,
> Ron Mitton.
> South Africa.

Des & Jan Howard
Lue Pottery
LUE NSW 2850
Australia
Ph/Fax 02 6373 6419
http://www.luepottery.lisp.com.au

Marcia Selsor on mon 6 sep 04


I have a home made ball mill which was a gift. I also have ised a home
made 40 year old ball
mill at my former institution and I used a commercial ball mill at
Banff and a funky Ball Mill at Archie Bray. What do you want to know?
They all worked about the same. Keep 'em greased when running for 24
hours.
Marcia Selsor
On Sep 6, 2004, at 2:55 PM, steve harrison wrote:

> On Tuesday, September 7, 2004, at 02:44 AM, Jim at JB Designs
> Gallery.com wrote:
>
>> I am interested in information on ball mills.
>> Has anyone had expereicen with these
>> mills or with other ones?

Jim at JB Designs Gallery.com on mon 6 sep 04


I am interested in information on ball mills. I have a small studio for
one-of-a-kind pottery and need to be able to modify the glaze to get the
properties that I desire. I have seen some information about Van Ho and
Amaco ball mills but do not personally know of anyone who has had
experience with either product or have any suggestions regarding other
manufacturers that sell these mills. Has anyone had expereicen with these
mills or with other ones?

I also need some information on the length of grinding time and the
grinding medium for very fine glaze results.

Thank you.

Jim

Jon Brinley on tue 7 sep 04


http://www.unitednuclear.com/mills.htmhtm>

These folks have a good selection

Jon

steve harrison on tue 7 sep 04


On Tuesday, September 7, 2004, at 02:44 AM, Jim at JB Designs
Gallery.com wrote:

> I am interested in information on ball mills.
> Has anyone had expereicen with these
> mills or with other ones?

Hi Jim,
I have a small book about collecting and processing rocks and other
locally sourced materials for making your own glazes. In it I have
quite detailed information on the use of a ball mill. i also have
another booklet on how to build your own ball mill from scratch.
Information on these and other books is available from the Ian Currie
web site at the URL below.

Best wishes
Steve Harrison

Hot & Sticky Pty Ltd
5 Railway Pde
Balmoral Village
NSW 2571
Australia

http://ian.currie.to/sh/Steve_Harrisons_books.html

Ivor and Olive Lewis on tue 7 sep 04


Dear Jim,
I suggest you get in contact with Steve Harrison. He has written a
short monograph with the title, as I recall from memory, "Thoroughly
Modern Milling" which encapsulates in simple terms the basic
principles of Ball Milling. He has also published designs for a simple
ball mill.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis.
Redhill,
S. Australia.

Cynthia Bracker on fri 10 sep 04


This is not from my own experience, but from a reliable customer/friend
(He currently has a Laguna Ball Mill):
You might also look at the Alpine Ball Mill. It has "a dual drive
system which means both rollers on the ball mill are powered so that no
matter how much or how little weight is in the jar, it will not slip or
stall, but will continue to turn and refine your glaze materials whether
refining or reclaiming hard and lumpy glazes." (quoted from Alpine
info) It comes in 3 sizes:
JM1 15"W X 30" L X 21" H (retail price $695.00)
JM2 20"W X 55" L X 28" H (retail price $890.00)
JM4 20"W X 55" L X 48" H (retail price $1355.00)
Good luck!
Cindy

Jim at JB Designs Gallery.com wrote:

>I am interested in information on ball mills. I have a small studio for
>one-of-a-kind pottery and need to be able to modify the glaze to get the
>properties that I desire. I have seen some information about Van Ho and
>Amaco ball mills but do not personally know of anyone who has had
>experience with either product or have any suggestions regarding other
>manufacturers that sell these mills. Has anyone had expereicen with these
>mills or with other ones?
>
>I also need some information on the length of grinding time and the
>grinding medium for very fine glaze results.
>
>Thank you.
>
>Jim
>
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>

Pfeiffer, Dan R (Dan) on tue 23 nov 04


Can anyone tell me what the difference is between a ball mill and a rock
tumbler? Other than price, they look like the same motor and shafts with
just a different jar and some porcelain pebbles. I am hoping to use a old
rock tumbler I have with some marbles to help smooth out a cobalt glaze.

Dan in Elkmont Al

Marcia Selsor on tue 23 nov 04


A ball mill is bigger?
I think most rock tumblers are pretty small. My ball mill will handle
two gallons jars loaded.
Both work on the same premise.
Marcia Selsor