geodehunters
off to a rocking start
Hello Hounds!!! Sorry our communications are down right now..... CHECK BACK SOON NEW LOCATION UPDATE
Member since May 2019
Posts: 16
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Post by geodehunters on May 28, 2019 19:01:57 GMT -5
Ok so we found some nice samples from lake huron!!!! Thanks Now yes or no on the vibrating tumbler from harbor freight or
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Post by aDave on May 28, 2019 20:13:50 GMT -5
Vibrating tumbler won't cure all your ills no matter where it comes from. Material usually needs to be turned in a coarse stage in a rotary and then moved onto a vibe from there.
That said, I'm a buy once, cry once sort of guy. I won't buy HF tumblers, but that's just me. Some have had luck with them...others, not so much.
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Post by Jugglerguy on May 29, 2019 4:49:14 GMT -5
I started with a Lortone rotary and I’d do the same again. Check out The Rock Shed for good prices.
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on May 29, 2019 16:01:51 GMT -5
Ok so we found some nice samples from lake huron!!!! Thanks Now yes or no on the vibrating tumbler from harbor freight or I owned the 5lb vibe........https://www.harborfreight.com/5-lb-metal-vibrator-tumbler-67617.html
Used it for shell casings and general metal clean-up purposes.......worked ok (it is very noisy), so tried it for rock tumbling (even though it's not for wet). Managed to find a way to seal the lid to keep moisture in, but the vibe agitation action it delivers does not perform properly for stone grinding. It shakes and circulates, but does not provide a "rolling" action. In short, a good rock vibe will not only shake and circulate horizontally, but also provides a vertical rolling action that accelerates the grinding in a more evenly distributed manner.
I compared the popular UV-10 model to a few other "shell casing" type vibes in order to save money, since I'm not inclined to "invest" heavily towards a "hobby" that I may not stick with long term.........That said, found a brand and model (Lyman Turbo 1200 Pro) that compares mechanically (in kind) to the UV-10, for about $100.00 less, made just as well and efficient. The sister company (Raytech) makes the TV-5, which I use it's bowls..........I now own two Lyman's, they work great. Both are now over 1.5yrs old with hundreds of hours on them.........still going strong.
Just my experience........know a couple of folks here at RTH that I suggested Lyman to........So far, they seem to be experiencing the same results.
Note: As stated previously by Dave.......vibe is really best used after "rough" grinds like rotary and or hand grinding through "60/90" cycles have been accomplished. Vibe bowls do not wear well in rough grit and (due to the mechanical vibe action), stones (Jasper/Agate) will take forever (if at all), to round out edges.
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Post by aDave on May 29, 2019 23:59:07 GMT -5
I started with a Lortone rotary and I’d do the same again. Check out The Rock Shed for good prices. I also second the Lortone. There are also Thumlers tumblers, but not having any experience with them, I can't comment about them one way or the other. At a minimum, get one of the name brands above and stay away from National Geographic or similar "toy" tumblers. Further, I'd also recommend getting a rotary tumbler that has larger than a 3-lb barrel. While the 3-lb barrel tumblers are OK, they just aren't quite as efficient as larger capacity tumblers. Of course, the biggest factor will be how much rock are you planning on processing. Knowing what I know now, and if you have the means to keep it filled, the QT-66 (Lortone) would be high on my list as a starter. Sure, it's a fairly significant jump into the hobby, cost-wise, but the dual barrels allows you to use one barrel for a coarse stage and a second barrel for finishing steps. That's until you decide to move on and add a vibe to your stable.
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Post by Peruano on May 30, 2019 6:10:29 GMT -5
The rotary recommendation is fine but in some folk's scenario the rotary can be skipped if: 1. You are working on beach cobble that has already been tumbled by wave action. 2. You select rocks to be worked on the basis of surface texture and shape. 3. Or do a bit of preprocessing with a grinder. I started with a Raytech Vibe-5 but was using beach rocks from Mexico and really had no need for the rotary. I eventually acquired arbors, saws, etc. and still have several vibe tumbler but still no rotary.
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Post by fernwood on May 30, 2019 6:53:16 GMT -5
OK, am confused here. Are you looking for vibe recommendations, which I thought you were, or rotary? This conversation has gone between both.
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Post by aDave on May 30, 2019 11:44:19 GMT -5
OK, am confused here. Are you looking for vibe recommendations, which I thought you were, or rotary? This conversation has gone between both. Specifically, the OP was looking for a "yes or no" on the Harbor Freight vibe. However, I was asked about recommendations about a "starter" machine (offline). I decided to answer here, so others could add input and offer suggestions related to either (vibe or rotary), as it all ties in for someone new in the hobby.
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Post by fernwood on May 30, 2019 13:54:59 GMT -5
Thanks aDave. I love my HF rotary, duel 3lb tumbler. Have been able to baby it, based on all the info on RTH. I first changed the stock belt, with a round one from local hardware store. Have 3 of those as back ups. Total cost was less than $2.00 for the belt replacements. Been using carbine oil on it weekly. First clean all areas near the bearings. This tumbler has been running almost non stop since May of 2018. I know HF (Chicago Electric) tumblers are hit or miss on quality. I must have gotten lucky.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,666
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Post by Fossilman on May 31, 2019 9:06:12 GMT -5
I dislike H/F tumblers - rotary and vibes! Seen more bad than good with them.... Lortone has always been my choice!
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geodehunters
off to a rocking start
Hello Hounds!!! Sorry our communications are down right now..... CHECK BACK SOON NEW LOCATION UPDATE
Member since May 2019
Posts: 16
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Post by geodehunters on Jun 1, 2019 21:58:01 GMT -5
I started with a Lortone rotary and I’d do the same again. Check out The Rock Shed for good prices. I also second the Lortone. There are also Thumlers tumblers, but not having any experience with them, I can't comment about them one way or the other. At a minimum, get one of the name brands above and stay away from National Geographic or similar "toy" tumblers. Further, I'd also recommend getting a rotary tumbler that has larger than a 3-lb barrel. While the 3-lb barrel tumblers are OK, they just aren't quite as efficient as larger capacity tumblers. Of course, the biggest factor will be how much rock are you planning on processing. Knowing what I know now, and if you have the means to keep it filled, the QT-66 (Lortone) would be high on my list as a starter. Sure, it's a fairly significant jump into the hobby, cost-wise, but the dual barrels allows you to use one barrel for a coarse stage and a second barrel for finishing steps. That's until you decide to move on and add a vibe to your stable. Thanks Again!!!! We made our selection!!! From the rock shed!!! Model B - 15 lb. Capacity Thumlers Rock Tumbler Oahhhhhhhh yeaaaaaaahhhhhh!!
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Post by aDave on Jun 1, 2019 22:01:54 GMT -5
I also second the Lortone. There are also Thumlers tumblers, but not having any experience with them, I can't comment about them one way or the other. At a minimum, get one of the name brands above and stay away from National Geographic or similar "toy" tumblers. Further, I'd also recommend getting a rotary tumbler that has larger than a 3-lb barrel. While the 3-lb barrel tumblers are OK, they just aren't quite as efficient as larger capacity tumblers. Of course, the biggest factor will be how much rock are you planning on processing. Knowing what I know now, and if you have the means to keep it filled, the QT-66 (Lortone) would be high on my list as a starter. Sure, it's a fairly significant jump into the hobby, cost-wise, but the dual barrels allows you to use one barrel for a coarse stage and a second barrel for finishing steps. That's until you decide to move on and add a vibe to your stable. Thanks Again!!!! We made our selection!!! From the rock shed!!! Model B - 15 lb. Capacity Thumlers Rock Tumbler Oahhhhhhhh yeaaaaaaahhhhhh!! Congratulations. As I mentioned, I've never used Thumlers, but there are plenty of folks who do. Maybe TheRock will have some tips for you. Just make sure to get plenty of grit.
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geodehunters
off to a rocking start
Hello Hounds!!! Sorry our communications are down right now..... CHECK BACK SOON NEW LOCATION UPDATE
Member since May 2019
Posts: 16
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Post by geodehunters on Jun 1, 2019 22:03:07 GMT -5
Thanks Again!!!! We made our selection!!! From the rock shed!!! Model B - 15 lb. Capacity Thumlers Rock Tumbler Oahhhhhhhh yeaaaaaaahhhhhh!! Congratulations. As I mentioned, I've never used Thumlers, but there are plenty of folks who do. Maybe TheRock will have some tips for you. Just make sure to get plenty of grit. THANK YOU FOR THE TIP 😎
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Post by TheRock on Jun 2, 2019 21:43:09 GMT -5
Well with 6 of them spinning daily Yeah I kinda like them. I was gonna brag and show a picture of my Shop but rockjunquie PUT THE HEX ON MY pUKER the other day on a post imade congradulating her on purchase of a Lot "O" Tumbler i no longer made the post and I lost the mouse pointer and on the second reboot the screen is black and i can get to my passwords they were on an excel spreadsheet on my laptop! I hooked up a remote monitor w a HDMI cable and nutton I build my own pukers component by component i usually max em out balls to the walls with memory and overclock em My Camera Server running 25 Geovision Cameras has 30 Terabytes of storage. I have solved many crimes in my hood helping police with video files. Damn Pukers! Anyways she ended saying it will be awhile cause she was having puker problems well mine is screwed too!
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 2, 2019 21:53:17 GMT -5
Well with 6 of them spinning daily Yeah I kinda like them. I was gonna brag and show a picture of my Shop but rockjunquie PUT THE HEX ON MY pUKER the other day on a post imade congradulating her on purchase of a Lot "O" Tumbler i no longer made the post and I lost the mouse pointer and on the second reboot the screen is black and i can get to my passwords they were on an excel spreadsheet on my laptop! I hooked up a remote monitor w a HDMI cable and nutton I build my own pukers component by component i usually max em out balls to the walls with memory and overclock em My Camera Server running 25 Geovision Cameras has 30 Terabytes of storage. I have solved many crimes in my hood helping police with video files. Damn Pukers! Anyways she ended saying it will be awhile cause she was having puker problems well mine is screwed too! I feel your pain. Sorry. I'm still tweaking my new one.
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