fraens
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2023
Posts: 9
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Post by fraens on Nov 27, 2023 23:16:12 GMT -5
Hello dear forum, I am interested in this magnet-operated tumbler. Does anyone have one of these at home? I would like to apply this principle to a 3D printed tumbler. I have a few technical questions. In the data sheet of the machine you can see a schematic picture of the construction. Some things are not quite clear to me. Perhaps someone has the opportunity to take a few photos of it. I would be particularly interested to know why a compression spring and a tension spring are installed. Furthermore, it is not entirely clear to me what the bow on the right-hand side is supposed to be good for. Kind regards
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Nov 28, 2023 6:20:36 GMT -5
fraens I don't see any links or photos.
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fraens
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2023
Posts: 9
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Post by fraens on Nov 28, 2023 7:00:01 GMT -5
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Post by HankRocks on Nov 28, 2023 20:08:55 GMT -5
Here's a link to a operation manual for the MT-4. It does show the parts, labeled for the tune-up kit. I did see a larger document that details the operation, but my Google skills are not sharp this evening. MT-4 - InstructionsI have an MT-14. Currently I have it set up with a 10lb hopper across two bays. It is running 500AO with fill of smalls and reserved for larger pieces, usually 3 or 4 rocks. As it sets, I never empty the hopper, just spoon out the larger pieces with some tag-along smalls which get rinsed and back into the hopper with the new larger rocks. About every other run I add a Tbl of 500AO . The remaining bay has a 4 pound hopper I use for small specialty runs which have been prepped in the double 3 rotary, usually it runs 500 pre-polish and tin-oxide polish. It does get cleaned out well after the 500AO. There are two spare 4 pound hoppers I could use. Having 3 Model B's, a dbl 3lb rotary, the MT-14, and the UV-18 Vibe gives me a lot of flexibility. Keeping track of everything is another issue. I do have a old Rockette no. 800. I has a 1/2 hp double shaft motor so I don't use it very often. It's also very heavy with all the metal and the motor.
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fraens
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2023
Posts: 9
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Post by fraens on Nov 29, 2023 6:11:05 GMT -5
Hello, too bad you can't see inside. I already have some experience with magnetic oscillation systems. I have been working with them for some time. Here is my video about it: What I can't get my head around is the arc on the right-hand side. According to my thoughts, the springs alone should actually be enough to bring the shell back to its original position after the magnet has been tightened. Perhaps someone else could take a photo of the unit. That would help enormously.
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Post by HankRocks on Nov 29, 2023 7:32:15 GMT -5
HankRocks how much larger of a rock can you fit in the larger hopper? Do you ever have issues with the larges separating from the smalls or media? Have you ever played with the dials to deliberately vibrate one side higher than the other? I'm curious what that would do. Like for the 14lb hopper, setting both sides to high and the center to low... maybe would create a different pattern than the reverse or if they were all even. Or do the larger hoppers just average the difference? I can get a larger rock in the 10 pound hopper as long as it's a tall skinny rock as the opening height dimension is still the same as the 4 pound hopper. The width is about 8 1/4 inches so I could put a 6 1/2 to 7 inch tall rock as long as it did not exceed the 2 1/2 inch height. Interesting as I just noticed that the opening on the 3 pound hopper is 3 inch by 3 inch, the opening on the 10 pound hopper is 2 1/2 inch by 8 1/4 inches. The 10 pound hopper height opening is a 1/2 inch smaller, I had never measured it. Not sure why they made it that way. I do have older equipment that I bought, maybe it's different for newer hoppers. Learn something every day!! The large rocks tend to stay separated and that is most likely related to the consistency of the slurry. Too watery and they would probably sink. I usually keep them dialed in to the same vibe rate, usually slower for Tigereye and Quartz.
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nantucketdink
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 21
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Post by nantucketdink on Nov 29, 2023 13:22:46 GMT -5
I have the MT-4 but I don't think I can help. I honestly have no idea how it works, magnets you say? They don't point out the magnet on the schematic but it must be those rectangles in the bowed area. I'm guessing there's a MOSFET switch, capable of pulsing power thousands of times per second. The bow must be to allow the strip to flex when attracted to the magnet; then when the magnet switches off the compression spring pushes it back up and creates a wiggle, like a diving board correcting itself. The shape and proportions of the bow are probably important for the vibration frequency or the angle that the vibrations arc the load at. The parts are encased in a plastic shell so there's no angle to take pictures from without taking apart the screws. I might do that tomorrow but it looks like I'd have to take apart the dial too and I'm a bit hesitant to do that. Not to hijack your thread, but I had a question for MT-14 owners if anyone has one and sees this. How do you like the MT-14? It has the potential for larger hoppers, but it looks like the vibration settings are all separate dials. Is it difficult to use? The dials are very sensitive so I imagine if one side is pulsing 1,000 times a second and the other 1,200 it might not be noticeable to the eye but I'm sure that has an effect on how the load organizes itself and whatnot. I have a 14 and it’s always in use. I have the long single hopper. I haven’t really tried running the dials differently from one another on purpose. Yes I could could put a long rock in there, but it’s not the right tool for a round five pound rock. If I come across a big long piece of petrified wood that I want to do whole, this would be ideal…I just haven’t had the urge to do that yet.
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nantucketdink
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 21
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Post by nantucketdink on Nov 29, 2023 13:41:56 GMT -5
Yes I like the 14 and find it easy to use. I have been waiting a few months for the big(expensive) Vibrasonic 35 I ordered as it’s shaped like a gigantic mt4 and will be able to handle big rocks and lots more rocks. I think that shape is better overall than the elongated single 14. Don’t know anybody who uses one with the 35 metal hopper, but it seems like the perfect one for my needs.
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fraens
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2023
Posts: 9
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Post by fraens on Nov 29, 2023 23:18:43 GMT -5
It looks like it would be best to buy one and dismantle it yourself. Unfortunately, I can't find one here in Europe. I couldn't even find one on Ebay.
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