saaz
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2023
Posts: 15
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Post by saaz on Oct 24, 2023 19:29:41 GMT -5
I got a 33b a few weeks ago, and I'm enjoying leaving it alone and checking in every few days to see how things are going, so I'm already thinking about a second tumbler. The question is, barrel or vibratory, and how large? Note that I'm still in the rough stage, I'm only pulling out a few rocks each week that look good.
I get the impression vibratory is really good for polishing, so that's tempting. It would also be nice to have an option for less shaping. For soft rocks or glass, does it work better to only use a vibratory tumbler? I know Lot-O has been having problems, and I've seen a lot of comments about rocks getting jammed up in the MT-4, so I might go with a UV-10. It would also be nice to have the option to do larger rocks. But of course it's taking a long time to get enough rocks ready for stage 2 in a 3lb barrel, do I really want to have to fill a 10lb tumbler?
So maybe I should get a QT66 or QT12? Then the 33b could be dedicated to the later stages, and maybe even dedicate one barrel to polish to avoid contamination. Add a vibratory tumbler later if I feel like it.
Has anyone else here been through this dilemma and have any advice?
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Post by chris1956 on Oct 24, 2023 20:19:04 GMT -5
Welcome from Missouri. I am sure you are going to get many different opinions on tumblers. Here is my 2 cents worth.
I have been tumbling for about two years now. I started with a 3A. Then added a Thumbler 6 lb unit. That was a disaster and havne't used it since the first few months. Got a Lot-O, then a QT12, then a Mini MT4. Gosh this stuff is an addition.
Motor failed on the Lot-O after about 9 months. I made the modiificaitons and added a concrete vibrating motor and it has worked well since. It does have a limit on the size of rocks but can put bigger ones in than you can in the MT-4.
I have had some issues with jams on the Mini I think because of too big of a rock. If I get a jam, I just start taking out the biggest rock until I don't get jams.
The QT12 really eats the rocks up (good thing for rough). It eventually even gets Jason's Prairie Agates but it takes a while on them. I have used the QT12 all the way through polishing and it did a decent job. I have been saving up larger rocks that won't fit in the vibratorys and will probably make another polish run in in the QT12 in the near future.
I don't know anything about the UV-10. Not sure how smaller vibratory compare to larger vibs on polish.
Hope this helps.
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,622
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Post by dillonf on Oct 24, 2023 20:30:19 GMT -5
My opinion would be to add a QT66 (you can always purchase a QT12 barrel for it - then you have options). I'd then use the 33B for 220-polish. One barrel for SiCa grit and the other for AlOx/polish.
I'd then add a vibratory after that.
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 24, 2023 22:44:14 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota!  You might as well go for the top right off the bat...you'll want to get there eventually! LOL Raytech AV-75DC Model 75DC is the same as the standard Model 75, but features a discharge port for easier inloading when combined with raytech manual separating screen set. Will hold 75 pounds of ceramic, 52 pounds of ceramilite, 44 pounds of plastic and 24 pounds of Dri-Shine media.  |
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Oct 28, 2023 8:53:15 GMT -5
I started with a Thumlers Model T (1 barrel, 3 lbs) then added the AR-12 (1 barrel 12 lbs) then the AR-2 (2 barrels 3 Lbs each) then a second AR-2, then a Model B (1 barrel 15 Lbs) then a 3rd AR-2 and finally the mini sonic MT-4. This has taken 20 years to reach, but other than a few motor swaps on my oldest machines, and a few new lids, belts, all my equipment is original (including the barrels). With tumblers it is really buy once cry once. If any of my machines were to quit working today, and I was not able to fix them, I would replace them with the exact same model, they have all been that good to me!
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roQhound
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2023
Posts: 104
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Post by roQhound on Oct 30, 2023 13:37:46 GMT -5
I'd go for the QT66. I started with the 33B and quickly figured out I wasn't getting finished rocks quickly enough. I use the QT66 for Stage 1 and 2, and the 33B for 3 and 4, so I always have at least a handful finishing up every 7-10 days. That's perfect for me!
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