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Post by Jon on Sept 26, 2004 15:15:01 GMT -5
Three questions:
1. For a beginner with maybe $300 to invest for a 2 - 5 pound batch, which is best: a traditional tumbler, or a vibratory machine?
2. For each type of machine above, what is the maximum size of individual rocks that can be polished - I am thinking of attempting polishing rocks 1 inch, maybe 2 inch in size (if this is even possible), as well as the usual smaller rocks.
3. The best (most versatile, economical, etc.) rock cutting machine: band saw type, or diamond blade type.
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deepsouth
fully equipped rock polisher
He who rocks last rocks best
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,256
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Post by deepsouth on Sept 26, 2004 22:57:52 GMT -5
Hi Jon , welcome to this site.
If you look through previous postings you will find threads to your question already answered.
Good luck
Jack
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Sept 26, 2004 23:41:07 GMT -5
John, I have rotary tumblers and a vibe tumbler. I like the rotary for shaping and use it for the 60/90 stage, then I move them to the vibe for the other stages because it is so much faster.
BE and I have a 7' and 10" tile saw that we are pleased with. Speaking only for myself, a band saw for rocks would scare me half to death! I used to have one for my woodworking and it was neat, but kinda scary too!
llana
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MoonStone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 202
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Post by MoonStone on Sept 27, 2004 1:12:57 GMT -5
I only have a rotary tumbler but while deciding on which tumbler to buy I searched the posts in here and decided on the lortone 33b. I remember reading that vibes were very fast but their noise level was a lot higher than rotary tumblers, also they were more expensive than rotary and that they could not change the shape (round) of the rocks. By the way...Those 7' and 10" tile saw sounds good to me ! Good luck with your purchases!
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Post by puppie96 on Sept 27, 2004 1:17:13 GMT -5
Lortone 3-3B. If you get a single barrel tumbler, you will upgrade before you even get started. I like my vibe but they are trickier and have their plusses and minuses, for a beginner I think the barrels are better and maybe get a vibe after you've had more tumbling experience.
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Post by Jon on Sept 27, 2004 16:35:05 GMT -5
thanks everyone for the good advice
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Post by cookie3rocks on Sept 27, 2004 19:15:15 GMT -5
I have a vibe only (Raytech 3, 5lbs capacity) and no experience with a rotary. I have gotten some excellent results (once I learned how to use it properly). It is faster, but the rotaries probably shape better. The larger pieces did as well as the smaller, but I have come to prefer the smaller stones. In a vibe, you need a very minimal amount of water, that took some getting used too. Most peple who use a vibe coarse grind in rotary and finish in the vibe. Good luck!
cookie
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