The Mini Sonic Electronic Tumbler??

[ivan]

Dear Friends .... Recently acquired a used Mt-4 Electronic Tumbler. It has to be gone over and in the process of tuning it up. A few questions, if you will?? Is there anybody on Our Family Forum that has used these and would share your thoughts or experiences with them?

Specifically would like to know if anyone one has had to purchase a Tune up Kit? Where the best pricing is available for these? Also would like to know where I might find what the suggested gap is between the magnet & platform should be. If that would make any difference??.

Would appreciate any & all information that you can share. Thank you for taking the time to assist this SC with this project. If you prefer to sent a PM that would be fine! Thank you very much.  IV  USAF 62-66

[gemfeller]

Hi,
If it's a current Mini Sonic brand, it's probably made by Diamond Pacific. If I were you I'd direct your questions to them. They're good about addressing technical issues, and would have any parts you might need. Contact: www.diamondpacific.com/contactdiamondpa.html

I've used an original model made by Custom Technology for many years. They sold the line to DP years ago. My old machine has performed well for over 30 years and is still going strong. The only problem is it's become increasingly noisy due to something in the housing that's amplifying the vibrations. I need to work on the housing to fix it but otherwise it performs as well as the day I bought it.

[ivan]

Dec 29, 2018 21:10:02 GMT -5 gemfeller said:

Hi,
If it's a current Mini Sonic brand, it's probably made by Diamond Pacific. If I were you I'd direct your questions to them. They're good about addressing technical issues, and would have any parts you might need. Contact: www.diamondpacific.com/contactdiamondpa.html

I've used an original model made by Custom Technology for many years. They sold the line to DP years ago. My old machine has performed well for over 30 years and is still going strong. The only problem is it's become increasingly noisy due to something in the housing that's amplifying the vibrations. I need to work on the housing to fix it but otherwise it performs as well as the day I bought it.

This is a Geo-Sonics a division of Geode Industries Iowa to give you an idea of how long it's been around.  When the speed controller/machine is turned on I can get the tub to vibrate However when I need maximum vibrations/oscillations the tub/machine will make a loud chattering sound like metal upon metal. So I have to back off the speed controller to lower the vibrations to make it tolerable. :icon_scratch:

I usually need maximum or close to that when I use dri-shine material. With that said it will not work with a light material. I have a couple of KG-1 models which work quite well with the dry light corn cob, walnut shell conbinations.  

Thanks for the link I'll send Don a note and see what I may be able to do? Maybe he will have some suggestions on how to adjust the metal to metal Chattering out or tell me what is causing the noise.

Kindest regards ...... IV   

[gemfeller]

ivan, Custom Technology and Geode Industries are the same. Mine's an old Geo Sonic too but apparently in better shape than yours. They changed the name somewhere along the line. But DP bought the Geo Sonic line and if anyone can help you it's DP.

FWIW, mine is extremely noisy too when I turn the power to the highest level. I've learned I can achieve good results at a lower setting. I only use mine for occasional wet stone tumbling and metal burnishing with steel pins so I have no experience with using dry stone polishing media. I hope you find help for your problem.

[mjflinty]

I have two of these by Geo-Sonics and use them from prepolish to polish. I'll agree that they are loud when on full power! I'm not much help beyond that... I didn't even know there was a tune-up kit available. I got mine second hand and they have always worked great.

Michael

[Drummond Island Rocks]

I have one too that I also bought used. I rarely use it just because I prefer the loto's. The only time I dig out the mini-sonic is when something requires a lower speed vibration. As others have mentioned it is pretty unbearably loud at the highest speed. I have found that with mine a folded up piece of paper towel placed in the cradle between the bottom of the tub (barrel) and the plate seems to help quiet it down.

Good luck getting your up and running.
Chuck

[ivan]

Dec 30, 2018 11:39:08 GMT -5 Drummond Island Rocks said:

I have one too that I also bought used. I rarely use it just because I prefer the loto's. The only time I dig out the mini-sonic is when something requires a lower speed vibration. As others have mentioned it is pretty unbearably loud at the highest speed. I have found that with mine a folded up piece of paper towel placed in the cradle between the bottom of the tub (barrel) and the plate seems to help quiet it down.

Good luck getting your up and running.
Chuck

That's a pretty neat idea the paper towel to take up the play. I ended up using about 1 1/4" wide foam tape sticky on one side. It can be put on the mount under the tub or stick on the tub then mount the tub down. Seemed to help in that regard. Thanks for the note.  IV

[ivan]

Dec 30, 2018 9:43:12 GMT -5 mjflinty said:

I have two of these by Geo-Sonics and use them from prepolish to polish. I'll agree that they are loud when on full power! I'm not much help beyond that... I didn't even know there was a tune-up kit available. I got mine second hand and they have always worked great.

Michael

Hi Michael .... I believe DP sells these kits but requires more than I'd like to get involved with. Perhaps only as a last resort if nothing else works out here. They are a terrific machine. I have two (2) of the 1 Kg models used and two (2) Mt-4 one new & one used.  Ivan

[ivan]

Dec 30, 2018 1:10:24 GMT -5 gemfeller said:

ivan , Custom Technology and Geode Industries are the same. Mine's an old Geo Sonic too but apparently in better shape than yours. They changed the name somewhere along the line. But DP bought the Geo Sonic line and if anyone can help you it's DP.

FWIW, mine is extremely noisy too when I turn the power to the highest level. I've learned I can achieve good results at a lower setting. I only use mine for occasional wet stone tumbling and metal burnishing with steel pins so I have no experience with using dry stone polishing media. I hope you find help for your problem.

I'll try to keep updating as I go along. Have to give DP a call and see what they can tell me what may be giving me the metal chattering at high setting. Please keep in mind that when the machine is turned back it does just fine. But why have a high setting if you can't use it when needed. Have to do some more homework?  Ivan  

[pauls]

I have two and they both have broken springs, this is all good information for me, though I know it's going to cost me an arm and a leg to get parts shipped to Australia.

I played with padding between the barrel and the plate but found it absorbed some of the vibration, I fixed it by getting a G clamp and using it to tighten up the top edge of the barrel holder, just use the clamp across the top edges and screw it in until the plates are bent in a bit,it doesn't take much and works a treat.

[pauls]

I have two and they both have broken springs, this is all good information for me, though I know it's going to cost me an arm and a leg to get parts shipped to Australia.

I played with padding between the barrel and the plate but found it absorbed some of the vibration, I fixed it by getting a G clamp and using it to tighten up the top edge of the barrel holder, just use the clamp across the top edges and screw it in until the plates are bent in a bit,it doesn't take much and works a treat.

Edit. thats as clear as mud. just use the G clamp to push the top edge in a bit, I don't mean leave it there forever.

[ivan]

Dec 31, 2018 14:49:52 GMT -5 pauls said:

I have two and they both have broken springs, this is all good information for me, though I know it's going to cost me an arm and a leg to get parts shipped to Australia.

I played with padding between the barrel and the plate but found it absorbed some of the vibration, I fixed it by getting a G clamp and using it to tighten up the top edge of the barrel holder, just use the clamp across the top edges and screw it in until the plates are bent in a bit,it doesn't take much and works a treat.

Edit. thats as clear as mud. just use the G clamp to push the top edge in a bit, I don't mean leave it there forever.

Excellent idea concerning concerning compressing the top of holder. I'll have to keep this in mind as the thought has occurred to try this. For now, Essentially using the foam backing tape takes up some of the slack and tightens the tub when secure.

Talked to DP today and there is a tune-up kit available for the Mt-4 .... 490-402097 @ $52.00 to replace all the incidentals that can attribute to this problem. Not what I'm going to do, just yet?  An ingenious entrepreneur could probably come up with ways to modify this and hold the costs down.

In a way I like the idea of the tune up kit, however, I was hoping a cosst effective procedure might be available. To begin with a complete disassembly of the machine would be required. I'm sure a rebuilt or new machine would last longer than this owner. Hope this may help? I'll try to keep you posted. Anyway I can help - let me know?      

[pauls]

The only thing I have had trouble doing myself is the spring that's inside the other spring, it has a bolt both ends so it pulls while the outside one pushes, a really specialised bit of kit.
I tried making a new one which is not too hard, but heat treating the spring to get the spring back into it is something I haven't succeeded with just yet, always too hard and brittle or too soft and stretchy.
I will probably end up making something not as fancy external to the other spring, it shouldn't be too difficult it's only to supply adjustable tension.

[ivan]

Dec 31, 2018 21:32:49 GMT -5 pauls said:

The only thing I have had trouble doing myself is the spring that's inside the other spring, it has a bolt both ends so it pulls while the outside one pushes, a really specialised bit of kit.
I tried making a new one which is not too hard, but heat treating the spring to get the spring back into it is something I haven't succeeded with just yet, always too hard and brittle or too soft and stretchy.
I will probably end up making something not as fancy external to the other spring, it shouldn't be too difficult it's only to supply adjustable tension.

A bit of an update. After agonizing over this I finally completely disassembled the unit this evening. I have it all apart on my work bench. It will require a complete cleaning as grit & residue splashed all over the base & springs & rubber grommets. All the rubber grommets are hardened as well as seals & o rings.

Planning on getting a repair kit, sometime, an may have to machine or improve on some items to hopefully improve the set up somewhat. From what I can determine the old compression spring unit looks satisfactory and should work. However I should be getting a replacement when I order the kit. Maybe just keep this for a spare as I don't know if they sell them separately and for how much.

[ivan]

Hope I'm not out of line here. Just wanted to let you all know that I purchased a New Mt-4 from Rock Shed and it arrived today. Rock Shed was outstanding and couldn't of handle the order any better. it is currently being used to clean up some old clad pennies that I found MDing.

As a matter of fact I ordered a Tune-up kit also from Rock Shed for my old Mt-4. Hopefully the next time I report on that I will have the Kit and get the machine back to square #1. Hope this helps? Thank you Rock Shed and Forum Family for your assistance with this matter. IV  USAF 62-66 

[lanavy2307]

I have an MT-4VS and it only has a switch that turns it on and off, no variable speed. I had another older model that did but it died. Now this one will just stop for no apparent reason and I have to turn it off and back on again. It is located in my shop outside so it is not in a place I can hear it running so I don't know how long it runs before stopping.

Any ideas? My other one did the same thing and then the motor burnt up.

[lou23464]

I own three such tumblers. Two are the older GeoSonic and one the newer MiniSonic. All three have SCR based speed controls.

One GeoSonic would run for a time then stop. Took it out of its case & prepped an ohm meter to check the magnetic inducer, the coil, next time it stopped.when it did I found the coil open - the electrical connection would break internally to the coil. Ordered a new coil & rebuild kit from Diamond Pacific. Replaced the coil and rubber components & the double "push pull" spring. The disassembly & reassemby using new rubber parts was straight forward and not difficult. I recommend that one take close up pictures of all rubber parts before disassembly. The distance between the top of the coil and the flat steel frame above it is critical. Too small and the vibration is too powerful, to large and the vibration is too weak. I ended up loading the barrel with a full load & with speed control at max adjusted the distance to generate a reasonably strong vibration. With a speed controls set at its lowest setting the speed control has a small pot, a small adjustment slot on its side, that sets the low end speed. I tweaked on that until the low speed was reasonably slow.

I ended up replacing the SCR based speed control too not because it needed it but because I was already there, might as well do it. Beware that the speed controller has a rectifier diode inside shrink tubing on one of its wires that attaches to the coil. I ended up cutting it off by mistake. A common one 1N007 diode workef great as a replacement.

I measured the inductance of the coil, its DC resistance, and measured the diameter of the magnet wire that makes the coil in case anyone is interested in rewinding their own coil. You may have guessed from some of my comments that I am an electronics tech.

Lou