notomo
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2
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Post by notomo on Apr 9, 2012 13:33:49 GMT -5
I have been looking for a Vibratory rock tumbler and noticed 2 things, first off there not that many out there and second off a few of the case tumblers that re loaders use say they can be used for rock polishing Just wondering how they compare etc cus sofar the case polishers are a bit cheaper than the rock polishers, in some cases a lot cheaper actually.
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 9, 2012 14:06:55 GMT -5
This question comes up frequently. Case (and metal only) tumblers are usually much lighter duty than tumblers made for rocks. Some like Thumler's makes both, a standard and industrial. Only the industrial is suitable for rock. Gy-Roc will handle either. A tip off is if it says dry tumbling only they won't work. Something too light duty to work well is not really a bargain at any price.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 9, 2012 14:09:16 GMT -5
Try www.therockshed.com for tumblers. They have the best prices that I've found. I have ordered a Lortone and Lot-O tumbler from The Rock Shed as well as grit and other supplies and have been very happy with the service. I've heard on this forum that the case tumblers are heavy duty enough for rocks. Rob
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Apr 9, 2012 14:53:13 GMT -5
I use a Thumlers UV 10 cartridge polisher for rocks. It can't handle 10 lbs, and the bowl is not as heavy duty as the ones designed for rocks. I learned from Shawn at The Rock Shed that it will handle a 3 lb bowl for rocks. One can get either just the 3 lb bowl or the complete unit (Ultra Vibe 3 ) at link below. It is a little cheaper than the 10. I see they are presently sold out of the small bowls. I got my smaller bowl because I already had the unit. It is perfect for cabs, with a lb of ceramic pellets, it still takes around 75 cabs to get a batch going. For other stones, I rough tumble in a rotary and finish in the vibe. www.therockshed.com/tumbler3.htmlBill
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notomo
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2
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Post by notomo on Apr 9, 2012 16:35:52 GMT -5
This question comes up frequently. Case (and metal only) tumblers are usually much lighter duty than tumblers made for rocks. Some like Thumler's makes both, a standard and industrial. Only the industrial is suitable for rock. Gy-Roc will handle either. A tip off is if it says dry tumbling only they won't work. Something too light duty to work well is not really a bargain at any price. I figured it had prob been asked before but I could not get the search to bring up anything, tried several times kept getting 0 results. Thanks for the info some of the ones I saw lyman and lee can be used wet and I think it was lyman that also made industrial ones, which they say are for more constant use.
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 9, 2012 18:15:27 GMT -5
Lyman is the parent company of Raytech and tumblers are the same. The TV5 is pretty light duty and not really suitable for full time use. The larger models have thicker bowls but I think Thumler's Industrial are better for less money. I was a Thumler's dealer for quite a few years and the standard model warranty was void if used for rocks. The Industrial had thicker bowl, heavier motor, and springs and counter weight set up for 10 lb load. They came out with the 3 lb unit since. It's always easy to spend someone else' money but the Industrial with spare 3 lb drum would be way to go. The 3 lb for small loads on the heavy duty unit and you probably would use it for many years. Scrimping on equipment you plan on using full time is generally false economy.
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