Skuta
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2017
Posts: 11
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Post by Skuta on Oct 24, 2017 23:48:39 GMT -5
So unfortunately due to being in Australia our options are limited with vibratory tumblers as our power supply voltage and hertz is different (not that I understand how it all works) which means our only option is a thumlers Ultra-vibe with a 240 volt 50 hz motor. This has made the purchase out of the question for me at around $400 US dollars plus postage. On top of this I need an extra bowl and ceramic media which takes me all the way up to $550 USD.
I'd love to buy from an Australian dealer and support local business (local warranty etc.) but that price just blows it out of the water for me and there's no way it would get past the Minister for War and Finance.
What I have done is bought a chinese clone from ebay of the UV-10. It'll take around a month to get here. I highly doubt that it has a genuine fasco motor in it but here's hoping. The chassis looks exactly the same as a UV-10 the only difference looks to be in the bowl which I don't plan on using anyway.
I've contacted Shawn at the rockshed for freight pricing on two UV-10 Mini bowls and fill the bowls with ceramic media and a pound of lace agate.
I have come to terms with the gamble I am taking with buying the chinese base but by using mini bowls it should put less stress on the springs/motor/chassis etc.
All of this (clone tumbler, 2 Mini bowls, ceramic etc) including shipping will cost me around $325 USD so it's worth a try I think.
I wouldn't be doing this if I was in the US as the small savings from buying a chinese tumbler would not be beneficial. This also goes against my beliefs in buying quality products (Buy once! Cry once!) but it might just work. I'll keep you all updated.
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Oct 25, 2017 11:30:01 GMT -5
Best of luck to ya! Be sure to post your results w/ photos.
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Skuta
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2017
Posts: 11
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Post by Skuta on Nov 9, 2017 0:42:08 GMT -5
Well it has arrived! I haven't run it yet but will update as soon as I have. The tumbler chassis itself looks solid and it "appears" to have a genuine Fasco motor in it. If that's the case I'm sure I'm onto a winner here.
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notjustone
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2017
Posts: 426
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Post by notjustone on Nov 9, 2017 9:04:27 GMT -5
I can tell you that the uv-10 is pretty aggressive. so popping a mini bowl on there might result in some harsh tumbling. the fuller I fill my bowl the more dampening effect it has. of course your 2500 rpm vs our 3000. if I were you I would order the uv-10 replacement bowl and use the knock off for polish. might last quite a while as the abrasive polish isn't going to eat it up as fast.
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Post by pauls on Nov 9, 2017 14:19:32 GMT -5
Gday skuta Welcome from Bendigo
I am watching with interest, I have seen those on Aliexpress and just haven't built up the courage to buy one yet. There are a couple of sites on Ali that sell the spare bowls for that tumbler. Keep us updated.
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Skuta
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2017
Posts: 11
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Post by Skuta on Nov 9, 2017 15:57:36 GMT -5
I can tell you that the uv-10 is pretty aggressive. so popping a mini bowl on there might result in some harsh tumbling. the fuller I fill my bowl the more dampening effect it has. of course your 2500 rpm vs our 3000. if I were you I would order the uv-10 replacement bowl and use the knock off for polish. might last quite a while as the abrasive polish isn't going to eat it up as fast. I'm wondering if because of the narrower diameter in the mini bowl there'll be less agitation due to the weaker centrifugal forces
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Skuta
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2017
Posts: 11
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Post by Skuta on Nov 9, 2017 16:01:20 GMT -5
Gday skuta Welcome from Bendigo I am watching with interest, I have seen those on Aliexpress and just haven't built up the courage to buy one yet. There are a couple of sites on Ali that sell the spare bowls for that tumbler. Keep us updated. Cheers pauls, I ran it a bit with ceramic media last night and it seems pretty smooth. I'd buy Uv-10 bowls from the rock shed as they work out around the same price. I'll keep you posted
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notjustone
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2017
Posts: 426
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Post by notjustone on Nov 10, 2017 0:09:23 GMT -5
I can tell you that the uv-10 is pretty aggressive. so popping a mini bowl on there might result in some harsh tumbling. the fuller I fill my bowl the more dampening effect it has. of course your 2500 rpm vs our 3000. if I were you I would order the uv-10 replacement bowl and use the knock off for polish. might last quite a while as the abrasive polish isn't going to eat it up as fast. I'm wondering if because of the narrower diameter in the mini bowl there'll be less agitation due to the weaker centrifugal forces I don't know one way to find out throw something soft like obsidian in there.
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Skuta
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2017
Posts: 11
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Post by Skuta on Nov 10, 2017 0:45:42 GMT -5
I'm wondering if because of the narrower diameter in the mini bowl there'll be less agitation due to the weaker centrifugal forces I don't know one way to find out throw something soft like obsidian in there. Thanks I'll give it a go
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Skuta
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2017
Posts: 11
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Post by Skuta on Nov 10, 2017 1:59:58 GMT -5
Here it is in action, I think I need a bit more water in there. Not sure, still researching
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Skuta
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2017
Posts: 11
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Post by Skuta on Nov 18, 2017 0:40:17 GMT -5
Tomorrow I'll have my first completed batch finished. I've been checking them periodically and to watch the transformation compared to the rotary is blisteringly fast. Yesterday they were still slightly foggy looking and today after a quick look there's a beautiful glossy wet look to them, So one more day and I'm done.
With the mini bowl there doesn't seem to be anywhere near as much tumbling action as compared to videos I've watched with the UV-10 but that's possibly a good thing.
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haz3h
starting to shine!
Member since September 2015
Posts: 27
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Post by haz3h on Dec 4, 2017 10:38:41 GMT -5
hello Skuta so how is your batch ? you make good stuff with ? what do you think about the machine ? thanks
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Skuta
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2017
Posts: 11
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Post by Skuta on Dec 4, 2017 15:42:48 GMT -5
I'm yet to take photos but yes it was a success, I'm still figuring out which rocks not to put in the mix but 80% came out with a beautiful lustre. I'll try and get some photos up in the next few days. I've got a second batch on now that has a few days to go.
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