MetaMoose
having dreams about rocks
@MetaMoosehead on Twitter
Member since July 2021
Posts: 74
|
Post by MetaMoose on Mar 29, 2023 18:07:46 GMT -5
Hey folks,
I'm looking to purchase a MT10 Mini Sonic to use mostly as finisher. I am doing small pendants, cuboid earrings and general cabs, typically agates. I have an existing rotary tumbler setup for early tumble stages as needed. I'm strongly leaning towards using Vibradry for at least the last stages (14k, 25k, maybe prepolish?) and have some questions for those that might have experience with that.
1) When ordering Vibradry, there are 1, 2, or 5lb units for sale. For a Mini-Sonic 4lb hopper, is 1lb of vibradry enough? Should I do 2lbs? Does anyone know how much the 4lb hoppers take?
2) If you were to do 14k and 25k vibradry would you feel safe using the same hopper between stages (perhaps with a little soap/water), or would you still prefer dedicated hoppers?
3) I've seen others comment that they dont want to do lower stages with vibradry because of the stone dust causing issues over time. Does anyone have success using vibradry for prepolish (~1k)? Or lower?
And of course, I'm open to any experience or advice you might have on the subject.
Thank you and kind regards, Matt
|
|
chris1956
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2022
Posts: 1,320
|
Post by chris1956 on Mar 29, 2023 19:18:15 GMT -5
I have had a Mini Sonic MT4 for about 3 months now. Also have a Lot-O and rotary tumblers. Most all of what I have done so far has been tumbling lower grade material that I have collected myself. So I may not be as concerned about the perfect finish as I would be if I was tumbling something I had paid a lot of money for. Responses for your questions.
1) The MT4 is rated at 2 pounds. The Lot-O at I believe at 3 pounds. There was a post not too long ago by someone weighing rocks and that weights did not compare to the volume of the units. I think the consensus was that most people don't weigh the material, they just fill a set level in the hopper. That is what I do. That said, I would say the ratio of 2/3 of the material for the mini-sonic MT4 as compared with the Lot-O is about what I have seen. What size you need is hard to say. I use, as many people do, the rotary tumblers for the coarse grit tumbling and then switch to the vibratory tumblers for finishing. I do sometimes use both the vibratory tumblers with 220 grit depending on how much material I have ready to go to polishing.
2) I have a separate bowl for the 220 grit stage and then use a separate bowl for pre polishing and polishing (both the MT4 and Lot-O). Lots of different opinions about this but that is what I do. However, could change if I get to tumbling more expensive stuff. But I have been happy with what I get. Which reminds me I need to post some photos of them.
3) Both the MT4 and Lot-O seem to work for me at the 220 grit level. You need to watch the water addition a little closer as they will get dry as they wear the rocks away.
Hope this helps but others will have other thoughts.
|
|
chris1956
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2022
Posts: 1,320
|
Post by chris1956 on Mar 29, 2023 19:21:02 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on Mar 29, 2023 20:09:46 GMT -5
MetaMoose I am not a tumbler, but I use 50,000 Vibra-Dry in a vibe for tumbling cabs after I have finished them. It just gives them an extra somethin'-somethin' to my eye. I don't have it full - maybe about 3/4 full of the Vibra-Dry. I would think a pound would be plenty for the Mini Sonic. I also don't think you need to have more than one hopper. You can pour it back into the container and wash the hopper out. You'd have to make sure it was dried good before you put the next grit in though. Otherwise I would think you'd get clumps. Hope that helps!
|
|
chapslv
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2020
Posts: 56
|
Post by chapslv on Mar 31, 2023 10:04:11 GMT -5
Hi Matt. I have an MT-4 and I use it for every phase after the course grit (which I do in rotary tumblers). I only tumble at this point, no cabs. I usually do wet tumbling in the MT-4 (220, 500, 1000 and polish).
I have 1 lb. containers of 25,000 and 50,000 Vibra-Dry that I use on soft stones. It more than fills the MT-4 barrel and I estimate that it would be sufficient to fill the MT-10 barrel to a 2/3 capacity before adding rocks. The folks at Diamond Pacific are helpful and can give you advice if you call.
I use the same hopper for all of my Vibra-Dry stages. Clean it out good between stages and allow it to thoroughly dry before moving on to the next stage of product. As mentioned above, you will get clumps if there is any moisture in the hopper or the lid.
I have never used the lower stage Vibra-dry products, only the 25,000 and 50,000.
I hope this helps. Good luck with the tumbler.
|
|
chris1956
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2022
Posts: 1,320
|
Post by chris1956 on Mar 31, 2023 10:08:53 GMT -5
I need to read these posts closer. Missed the "Vibra-Dry" in the original post. Getting old I guess.
|
|
MetaMoose
having dreams about rocks
@MetaMoosehead on Twitter
Member since July 2021
Posts: 74
|
Post by MetaMoose on Apr 3, 2023 11:21:52 GMT -5
MetaMoose I am not a tumbler, but I use 50,000 Vibra-Dry in a vibe for tumbling cabs after I have finished them. It just gives them an extra somethin'-somethin' to my eye. I don't have it full - maybe about 3/4 full of the Vibra-Dry. I would think a pound would be plenty for the Mini Sonic. I also don't think you need to have more than one hopper. You can pour it back into the container and wash the hopper out. You'd have to make sure it was dried good before you put the next grit in though. Otherwise I would think you'd get clumps. Hope that helps! That is helpful, I was able to comfortably order the Vibradry by the pound. Also ordered the mini sonic double tumbler (2x4lb). Thank you. I'm excited for the new tool!
|
|
MetaMoose
having dreams about rocks
@MetaMoosehead on Twitter
Member since July 2021
Posts: 74
|
Post by MetaMoose on Apr 3, 2023 11:25:15 GMT -5
Hi Matt. I have an MT-4 and I use it for every phase after the course grit (which I do in rotary tumblers). I only tumble at this point, no cabs. I usually do wet tumbling in the MT-4 (220, 500, 1000 and polish). I have 1 lb. containers of 25,000 and 50,000 Vibra-Dry that I use on soft stones. It more than fills the MT-4 barrel and I estimate that it would be sufficient to fill the MT-10 barrel to a 2/3 capacity before adding rocks. The folks at Diamond Pacific are helpful and can give you advice if you call. I use the same hopper for all of my Vibra-Dry stages. Clean it out good between stages and allow it to thoroughly dry before moving on to the next stage of product. As mentioned above, you will get clumps if there is any moisture in the hopper or the lid. I have never used the lower stage Vibra-dry products, only the 25,000 and 50,000. I hope this helps. Good luck with the tumbler. This was all very helpful. While I have the MT10 unit, I ordered it with dual 4lb tumblers (maybe I am getting the names wrong), so my experience will be similar to what you describe. Your advice helps me purchase with confidence, thank you! I will have 4 tumblers in total, my expectation is that I will have 120/220 SiC, 600 SiC, 1000 AO, and Vibradry dedicated barrels. I am really excited to try it out!
|
|
MetaMoose
having dreams about rocks
@MetaMoosehead on Twitter
Member since July 2021
Posts: 74
|
Post by MetaMoose on Apr 3, 2023 11:25:48 GMT -5
I need to read these posts closer. Missed the "Vibra-Dry" in the original post. Getting old I guess. No sweat my friend. I'm grateful that you would chime in with the help, I appreciate all the insight I can get! Matt
|
|