denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Nov 30, 2021 23:41:54 GMT -5
Does anyone here use a vibrating rock tumbler? I hear they do a better job of polishing. Are they worth the price? Which one(s) is/are best? Right now I am using a Lortone 3 pound double barrel tumbler. Thank you in advance
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ingawh
starting to spend too much on rocks
The rock wants to shine, I just help it get there
Member since February 2011
Posts: 194
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Post by ingawh on Dec 1, 2021 0:52:41 GMT -5
As this group knows, I'm a huge fan of the Lot-o-Tumbler vibratory tumbler. Sadly, most sellers appear to be out of stock at the moment, but I'm sure they will still be made.
When I got my Lot-o and began experimenting with it, I found I could vastly collapse tumbling times and expense (SO much less grit is required). Basically, after shaping, I use the vibe to put a polish on in 24 hours. This works if the rough grind has been allowed to run until the grit has all been broken down, and if the rough material is 7 mohs (like agate). Softer material can take 48 hours or so. I seldom use intermediate steps any more - just 2 usually does it: course grind for shaping, and straight into the Lot-o-Tumbler for 24 hours. Others in this group have greatly refined and built on that original idea, and are working wonders.
I have tried other vibes, but gave them away. I found them messy, noisy, and overly complicated/sensitive. If you go for a Lot-O-Tumbler, you can search this forum for people's recipes, and I'd be happy to send you mine.
Best wishes, and happy tumbling!
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ingawh
starting to spend too much on rocks
The rock wants to shine, I just help it get there
Member since February 2011
Posts: 194
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Post by ingawh on Dec 1, 2021 0:55:43 GMT -5
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Dec 1, 2021 1:09:14 GMT -5
Thank you so much!
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Post by michigander2005 on Dec 1, 2021 6:42:55 GMT -5
I did a in stock notice with Kingsleynorth ,filled a couple weeks ago. price included shipping , + Michigan tax 254.35 total
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Post by perkins17 on Dec 1, 2021 10:10:36 GMT -5
I bought a used MT 4 that is now made by diamond pacific and love it. It is a four pound modes, is variable intensity, and does not need to be mounted unlike the lotto. Hope that helps!
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afterburnt
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2021
Posts: 152
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Post by afterburnt on Dec 1, 2021 12:46:39 GMT -5
I have a Raytech TV5? I think that's what it's called. Vibes work 5 times as fast and use a lot less polish and pre-polish than a rotary so it's more economical than running every stage in a rotary. I run 6 rotary tumblers 4 double 3's and 2 double 6's soon to be 3 and the little Raytech keeps up with the slow output of the rotaries. I can only imagine that with one double barrel 3 pounder that a vibe will be waiting a lot more than it's running. I think the Raytech is about half the price of the Lotto. Just for the time savings alone, I think a vibe is well worth it.
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Dec 1, 2021 16:02:05 GMT -5
Thank you everyone. I'm not sure if it is worth the money if I only use it for polishing
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Post by miket on Dec 1, 2021 17:12:21 GMT -5
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Post by perkins17 on Dec 1, 2021 19:10:14 GMT -5
Thank you everyone. I'm not sure if it is worth the money if I only use it for polishing I use my vibe for everything from 220 onward. It is definitely worth it. I can easily turn out triple the quantity I was able to before in the same time and with much better polish results.
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Dec 2, 2021 3:50:38 GMT -5
I also have a Lot-O vibe, and I love it. I tumble everything in coarse phase in my Thumler's Model B, then when the rocks are shaped I complete the other three stages in the Lot-O in 7 days total. The Lot-O (and I'm sure other vibes, too) create a "wet" shine that is hard to beat. Plus, I can finish a batch of rocks every week or so; so I don't have to be so patient! =)
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Dec 2, 2021 4:01:48 GMT -5
Oh, I also want to add that I have been experimenting with skipping the coarse phase in the rotary and just putting the rock straight into the 2nd phase in the Lot-O. I have done this with rocks that I don't want to change the shape of and rocks that have interesting patterns that would be ground off in the coarse phase. I still end up with an amazing polish. That's probably the closest I'll ever get to instant gratification in rock tumbling! LOL
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Post by rmf on Dec 2, 2021 7:50:27 GMT -5
I have a Geosonic 3# tumbler, a Gemstone vib that holds 5gal, and a commercial industrial vib that holds 3 - 5gal buckets of rock. All work well. the commercial tumbler cost me about $150 as I remember, cheaper than a 6# Lortone new. sometimes you just are at the right place at the right time.
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Dec 2, 2021 16:12:10 GMT -5
miket How long have you had your TV-5?
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Post by knave on Dec 2, 2021 16:29:58 GMT -5
I’ve been using a loto and Im happy. But it is on the floor it makes too much noise on my workbench even on weights.
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dshanpnw
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2020
Posts: 907
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Post by dshanpnw on Dec 2, 2021 17:30:45 GMT -5
It is worth it. I have a Thumler's UV-10 and I am fine with it. I bought it before I heard of the Lot-o. I've been doing several batches from start to finish in rotary tumblers recently with very good results. The price of the UV-10 has gone up a lot since last year. I follow a recipe from this forum for everything I do in the vibe. Good luck.
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Post by miket on Dec 2, 2021 17:36:19 GMT -5
miket How long have you had your TV-5? I want to say that I got it two years ago for Christmas. It was recommended to me by another member here on RTH and I know there are others on here that use them. Overall it's been good.
You do have to make sure you get the nuts tight on the bowl and lid when you run it, but other than that I'm happy with the job that it does. I used to run everything through polish in rotary tumblers and getting the TV-5 has been a huge time-saver. Plus, I use less grit. The bowl will probably need replaced at some point but they're reasonable, too.
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Dec 2, 2021 18:41:06 GMT -5
It got a bunch of really bad reviews on Amazon
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Post by miket on Dec 2, 2021 19:11:05 GMT -5
It got a bunch of really bad reviews on Amazon Yeah, there are some, just like any product. All I can speak of is from my experiences with it and it's been good for me. Is it the top-of-the-line tumbler? Maybe not. But for the price it does what it's supposed to do and I'm satisfied. 😁
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brybry
Cave Dweller
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,210
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Post by brybry on Dec 2, 2021 19:14:57 GMT -5
I dig my TV-5. How many of the reviews are from people who have no idea what they are doing? If you go by the factory video, you use way too much water (up to 4 oz) and 2 Tbls of each grit. They recommend a 12 hr cleaning cycle. It even suggests you can do ALL steps in the vibe, including the rough stage.
It is cheap, it is plastic but how many people have complained about Lortones, Thumlers etc etc. ANYTHING massed produced will have a percentage of end product that will crap the bed. For a decent starter vibe, it ain't bad.
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