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Post by phil on Mar 20, 2012 11:54:59 GMT -5
Hi all. Looking at getting back into tumbling, individual polishing is way too slow. I used to have some Lortone 6 pound tumblers, but even they are slow compared to a vibe I think? Harbor Freight sells a couple different size vibe tumblers, are they any good or like most of HF's stuff, just cheap Chinese that I'll regret later on. Advice? Thanks! Phil
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Post by talkingstones on Mar 20, 2012 14:00:20 GMT -5
Don't know about the HF stuff, but the Lot-O I picked up at the Rock Shed is wonderful and the shipping was great/price very good! I'd look around before jumping on the HF stuff.
Cathy
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Mar 20, 2012 14:18:11 GMT -5
Nope,they arent made for tumbling rocks,made for deburring metal parts,and shining shell casings.
snuffy
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charles kuchar
spending too much on rocks
getting ready for the second coming
Member since November 2010
Posts: 300
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Post by charles kuchar on Mar 20, 2012 18:28:35 GMT -5
my lot-o is in the hospital after over a year of 24/7. last batch the wife said it was kinda loud so i looked at it and it was working but on one side by the back the two springs were broke. finished the batch today, looked at the therockshed.com and found the springs. less than 12 including shipping. shawn shipped them today to me. i really like my lot-o from therockshed. charlie
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StoneCrazy
spending too much on rocks
Stone Crazy
Member since July 2011
Posts: 331
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Post by StoneCrazy on Mar 20, 2012 18:39:17 GMT -5
individual polishing is way too slow. What? I think tumbling is OMG 4 to ? wks is insane.. But thats me.
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Post by talkingstones on Mar 20, 2012 19:57:47 GMT -5
Tumble time is under a week with a vibe. :-) If you're into preforming you come out with some nice cabs!
Cathy
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 20, 2012 20:30:15 GMT -5
You won't regret buying the HF vibe later on you will regret it sooner than that. They are made for dry tumbling only and metal parts (lighter than rock). They may work with not many stones and a dry polish like Vibra Dry. I wouldn't waste my money to find out though. And, on broken Loto springs, I don't know about that brand but on Gy-Roc under weight loads cause the springs to break.
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meta99
has rocks in the head
Ohio Flint Ridge flint
Member since October 2010
Posts: 540
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Post by meta99 on Mar 20, 2012 21:40:20 GMT -5
I can tell you there is a way to make an HF vibe work wet, but you must have a spouse who can strip it and rebuild it I was using a very old Raytech tumblevibe 5. I had just ordered a new bowl to use for polish only. Then it died...all the old rubber and foam disintegrated. HF had a sale on their vibe tumbler and we had a coupon for more $$$ off. So we bought it. It lasted less than two days when the rocks beat the cheap plastic bowl to pieces, flinging rocks and grit all over the garage. But, my ingenious husband was able to rework it using my old polishing bowl and made it work! Then he took apart my old Raytech and rebuilt it! Now I have two vibes, one for medium grits and one for polish! Now if someone can show me a way to make rough in my Lortone 33B tumble faster! (I was looking for some nice rounded stones that I wouldn't have to preform on the wheels!). I have chevron amethyst that has been recharged weekly for >6 weeks now! Oh! That's right! This was the hobby I picked up to learn PATIENCE!!! Sue
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Mar 20, 2012 23:54:40 GMT -5
As stated they will work if you work on them. I got one and replaced the motor with a Dayton motor then cut down the weight to soften the blow. Just buy a good one and save yourself the trouble. You come out about the same with less hassle and no bringing bowls back when they wear out. Now that I have a cabbing machine and a diamond spool polisher I don`t use my vibe near as much.
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Post by phil on Mar 21, 2012 17:01:07 GMT -5
Ok, thanks.
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