yaxley
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2011
Posts: 6
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Post by yaxley on Nov 11, 2011 20:06:03 GMT -5
New member here and probably asking an old question, but what are the disadvantages and advantages of the different tumblers and vibrator types. I plan on buying a tumbler/vibrator for a gift and the user is a newbie to the hobby. Seeking some advice and guidance.
Thanks, !! Yaxley
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 11, 2011 20:16:33 GMT -5
Welcome aboard Yaxley.
Let us know how old the recipient of this gift is, and how patient they are. We'll be better able to advise you. Also, how much are you willing to spend on this gift ? Tumblers from Harbor Freight and most hobby stores are cheap, but they're junk.
Don
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yaxley
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2011
Posts: 6
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Post by yaxley on Nov 11, 2011 20:19:11 GMT -5
Well an older adult around 60....the wife Not sure about the money but was looking at the 100-200 dollar range, if that would do the job. I'd say she is very patient with everything but me
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 11, 2011 20:30:48 GMT -5
;D ;D I know how that goes. I have one of those wife things too.
You should be able to get her a nice tumbler in that price range. The vibratory tumblers are quicker, but the rotaries do a better job of rounding the edges of the stones. I'd suggest one of two brands. Either Thumlers or Lortone. I personally prefer Thumlers, but others on here prefer Lortone.
Don
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yaxley
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2011
Posts: 6
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Post by yaxley on Nov 11, 2011 20:34:51 GMT -5
What is considered the major difference between the vibrators and rotaries and any advantages to either for a beginner???
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 11, 2011 20:45:28 GMT -5
The vibrating tumbler is much faster but more difficult for the beginner to master. I always recommend a rotary tumbler for beginners. It is relatively easy to learn the difference after mastering a rotary. The rotary is pretty fool proof. Some things you do will slow down or speed up the process but eventually it works. The rotary makes the beautiful rounded pebbles most people think of when they want a tumbler. The vibe since it is faster can be better for polishing and better for finishing shapes you want to maintain.
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yaxley
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2011
Posts: 6
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Post by yaxley on Nov 11, 2011 20:53:59 GMT -5
OK, thanks for that info because I was leaning toward the vibrator type....again, I'm new at this
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 11, 2011 20:56:08 GMT -5
The vibrators are great for finishing preformed rocks which have been prepared by first grinding the rough edges off of them. They won't change the basic shape of the rock by very much.
Rotaries will take rough rocks as found and round off all of the rough edges. They will change the basic shape of the rocks to some extent.
Unless this is going to be a complete surprise for your wife, why don't you have her join us, and read up on the various types of tumbling ? There's lots of valuable info to be had in the rock tumbling threads. The more she can learn before she starts tumbling, the more likely she'll successful with her first tumble. Most of us have learned by the school of hard knocks, and have shared our successes and failures for all to learn from.
Don
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yaxley
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2011
Posts: 6
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Post by yaxley on Nov 11, 2011 21:15:11 GMT -5
Thanks, the problem is that it will be a Christmas gift and after she gets a tumbler I'm sure she will be on the forum. Meanwhile I'm trying to gain knowledge for myself.
We live the summer in one place and the winter in another, with both locations having a nice selection of rocks/stones/gems. Identifying the rocks is another skill to learn....although we know the basics.
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 12, 2011 13:50:15 GMT -5
Bringing this back to the top, in hope that some of our more experienced tumblers will chime in. I'm more of a cabbing guy myself. Don
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Nov 12, 2011 14:48:00 GMT -5
You'll never get the shape you like just using a vibe, so if you're buying only one piece of equipment then I vote rotary. Back in the day, I had only a vibe for tumbling but I also had a grinding/cabbing wheel so that I could shape the stones and round them off by hand.
Rotaries take a lot more time than you expect but if you have ONLY a vibe, then I think you will be disappointed because you don't get enough rounding in the coarse grind. Vibes are nice to save time/grit/polish BUT you still have to have nicely rounded material to put in the vibe. If you've read the other thread, you will see I'm done for vibes while I have this location/these neighbors just because there's a noise issue for me with vibes.
A great set-up for many people is to have rotary for coarse grind, vibe for quicker polish and to save on the expensive polish.
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blessed
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by blessed on Nov 12, 2011 19:28:25 GMT -5
Howdy yaxley. I vote for the rotary. You don't have to check on them every day and the rotary is quiter.----James
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Nov 12, 2011 19:53:55 GMT -5
I don't think any vibrastor can replace a good tumble LOL
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Post by Peruano on Nov 13, 2011 13:47:23 GMT -5
Another viewpoint from a somewhat noobie. I agree with most of the points made by Peachfront, but as positives instead of negatives (supporting the vibe). As someone who picks up rocks because I like their shape, I don't need the rotary to shape my rocks and as someone willing to spend a bit of time grinding before tumbling, I enjoy the instantanous (read daily gratification) in seeing my material move from one stage to the another in the vibe rather than waiting several days or a week for a rotary to do the work. Sometimes 15 minutes of shaping effort on a grinder lets me drop a stone into the vibe and see it move up the processing ladder very quickly - read makes me happy. We noobies need to be encouraged and seeing rapid improvement in the material is that encouragement. I work a lot with beach pebbles (already rounded), and other small stones that work well in the vibe and although I started out with a simple bench grinder with drip water, I've move to a much more sophisticated cab machine, but I still vacilate between letting some of the final smoothing and polishing be by the tumbler vs with the cab machine finer grits. In terms of a machine that will set the hook in the mouth of a prospective rock enthusiast, I'd vote for the vibe and allow that person add the rotary when they were more committed. JMHO and perspective. Tom
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Nov 14, 2011 17:37:11 GMT -5
I Agree with Peachfront and Tom also has a point You need nice shaped smooth stones the Rotary will produce them ALSO so does the sea shore /river so you can get away with a vibe I also cut slabs (from sea shore rock ) and put them through the vibe But if your working with Broken rock You definatly need a Rotary for stage one, and will be very very disapointed if you try to get rounded rocks from a broken rock start, I have tried it and it dose Not work After that a Vibe will cut down Grit and Power use to a fraction 10 days in a vibe 4 weeks in a rotary, That is to a real Gloss finish, If your new to Tumbling go for a rotary first then as you get used to polishing you can add a vibe later There is a lot to be learned with a rotary ,Start with a good recepie here on RTH Here is a good link to the rotary verses Vibe www.mcrocks.com/images-2/KuziaPolishing.htmlIn the end You have to make up you own mind WE all have the Perfect solution to your problem :-) Jack Yorkshire uk
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