doorcorocks
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2024
Posts: 19
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Post by doorcorocks on Jan 30, 2024 14:31:25 GMT -5
Hello! I'm new and glad I found this forum. A couple months ago I was gifted a cheapy amazon rotary tumbler, great intro for someone that knows nothing. I recently purchased a lortone 33B as I have really been enjoying the hobby and results I am getting. I am really interested in getting a vibratory tumbler and have seen a lot of good feedback on the Lot-O BUT I cannot find one anywhere, even used on eBay. A lot of the others have mixed reviews but all seem to get some sort of results. (Mini-Sonic, Raytech, ultra vibe) but I honestly don't know and availability seems all over the place. I called Kingsley North as they are located just 2 hours from me and the guy recommended the Mini-Sonic as they have no idea what is going on with Lot-O (recently purchased?). My end game is mostly fun, friends and family gifts, and maybe sell some local rock pendants to sell alongside my photography at various markets (I am a full-time photographer). I have been following and watching a lot of videos done by Michigan Rocks on YouTube (Thank you for the great info! has given me great results with a $50 rotary tumbler). Side Note: I am not one to just buy equipment because there is something better, there usually is. I like to find the best tool for what I want to use it for, I know cheaper options can get great results with practice and time. Thanks for having me
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graysonig
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2024
Posts: 6
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Post by graysonig on Jan 30, 2024 14:44:03 GMT -5
Hi! I'm completely new and just got a ray tech tumble vibe (TV-5). Now I have turned locally found Fraser River (I'm in BC Canada) rocks into wet shine polished stones. I did stage 2-4 in there following the same technique Rob from YouTube did for the Lot-o. I actually used the junky polish off Amazon as stage 3 and they ended up having an excellent shine, then followed up with a higher quality stage 4 polish and am completely impressed with myself.
I too have a cheap Amazon rotary and then bought the lortone 33b.
Now I'm sitting on a large Kingsley North order and have just started tumbling crazy lace agate.
So for me the TV-5 is great thus far.
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doorcorocks
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2024
Posts: 19
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Post by doorcorocks on Jan 30, 2024 14:58:07 GMT -5
Hi! I'm completely new and just got a ray tech tumble vibe (TV-5). Now I have turned locally found Fraser River (I'm in BC Canada) rocks into wet shine polished stones. I did stage 2-4 in there following the same technique Rob from YouTube did for the Lot-o. I actually used the junky polish off Amazon as stage 3 and they ended up having an excellent shine, then followed up with a higher quality stage 4 polish and am completely impressed with myself. I too have a cheap Amazon rotary and then bought the lortone 33b. Now I'm sitting on a large Kingsley North order and have just started tumbling crazy lace agate. So for me the TV-5 is great thus far. Similar journey! Thanks for the feedback on tv-5. I’ve been using the poly plastics 4 step kit with ceramics. Happy so far with that kit |
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ts
starting to shine!
Member since March 2023
Posts: 36
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Post by ts on Jan 30, 2024 15:02:05 GMT -5
Hello! I'm new and glad I found this forum. A couple months ago I was gifted a cheapy amazon rotary tumbler, great intro for someone that knows nothing. I recently purchased a lortone 33B as I have really been enjoying the hobby and results I am getting. I am really interested in getting a vibratory tumbler and have seen a lot of good feedback on the Lot-O BUT I cannot find one anywhere, even used on eBay. A lot of the others have mixed reviews but all seem to get some sort of results. (Mini-Sonic, Raytech, ultra vibe) but I honestly don't know and availability seems all over the place. I called Kingsley North as they are located just 2 hours from me and the guy recommended the Mini-Sonic as they have no idea what is going on with Lot-O (recently purchased?). My end game is mostly fun, friends and family gifts, and maybe sell some local rock pendants to sell alongside my photography at various markets (I am a full-time photographer). I have been following and watching a lot of videos done by Michigan Rocks on YouTube (Thank you for the great info! has given me great results with a $50 rotary tumbler). Side Note: I am not one to just buy equipment because there is something better, there usually is. I like to find the best tool for what I want to use it for, I know cheaper options can get great results with practice and time. Thanks for having me |
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ts
starting to shine!
Member since March 2023
Posts: 36
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Post by ts on Jan 30, 2024 15:06:48 GMT -5
I love my Diamond Minisinic MT4. Its quiet and easy to use. It will probably last forever. I got mine from Suva Lapidary about 8 momths ago. They shipped quick and I got it 2 days later. If you go to their website and order, ckick on the ships from Diamond Pacific and change to ships from Suva in stock.
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Post by pebblesky on Jan 30, 2024 15:48:39 GMT -5
Welcome and look forward to the professional photography of the rocks you tumbled!
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
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Post by rocknewb101 on Jan 30, 2024 15:51:24 GMT -5
hello and welcome to the forum!! I agree with ts on the mini sonic. IMHO Lot-o has had too many manufacturing issues as of late and I for one sold mine - I could never get it to roll right and after my motor blew I said the h3ll with it! I love my mini - it did take a while to get, 5 or 6 weeks maybe, and I think I got mine from Suva too, although right in the middle of the supply chain issues so not as quickly. I've had zero issues with it, can pump out stage 2-4 in about 10 days or less (depending on material). Anyways - no matter what route you go you are in good hands here. If someone hasn't experienced it, there's enough know how here to troubleshoot! |
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doorcorocks
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2024
Posts: 19
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Post by doorcorocks on Jan 30, 2024 16:09:20 GMT -5
Welcome and look forward to the professional photography of the rocks you tumbled! I have never dabbled in any sort of professional macro shots so it will be a fun challenge as well. 90% of what I do is landscape photos here in Door County, Wisconsin |
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arentol
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2023
Posts: 20 
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Post by arentol on Jan 30, 2024 18:01:45 GMT -5
I just started tumbling in August. I had a Lot-O by November by just checking all the websites that carry them every day until one was in stock. I can't promise you will get as lucky, but I can promise your odds are directly aligned with your effort. That said, before I got the Lot-O I already had a "Frankenstein" vibratory tumbler. This is something you can do right now today, and it is pretty darn cheap ($170 plus shipping) but does a great job. Go to Harbor Freight Tools and get a Central Machinery 5lb tumbler: www.harborfreight.com/5-lb-metal-vibrator-tumbler-67617.html?_br_psugg_q=vibratory+tumblersThen go online and find a replacement bowl for the Thumlers UV-10, making sure it is the blue-ringed "Industrial Weight" version, not the yellow-ringed one, which is only for use with light-weight materials. You can order one today right here: rocktumbler.com/thumlers/uv-10-tumbler-parts.shtmlThen just replace the bowl on the Central Machinery tumbler with the Thumler's Bowl, and you are ready to go. I have been using this setup since late September and it works great. I do stages 2 and 3 in the Frankenstein tumbler, and stage 4 in the Lot-O. |
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janiksj
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2023
Posts: 9
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Post by janiksj on Jan 30, 2024 19:41:35 GMT -5
I got my mini sonic about 2 weeks ago from Kingsley North.
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mountainryan
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2024
Posts: 1
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Post by mountainryan on Feb 1, 2024 12:00:15 GMT -5
I am new to tumbling. For the price point I got a raytech tv10 without drain (like $200 less than with a drain!) it was back ordered but I received it in less than 2 weeks right from raytech.
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Post by vegasjames on Feb 1, 2024 18:27:13 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum.
I would avoid the Lot-O. Heard to many people having problems with them.
I have 3 Ultravibe 18s (UV-18) and love them. Just make sure if you find one that they are made for rocks and not just brass.
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pantagruel
starting to shine!
Member since November 2023
Posts: 34 
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Post by pantagruel on Feb 2, 2024 8:56:29 GMT -5
I agree with the others about the mini sonic. It was my first tumbler, and I really just love it! (n.b.: best not to use anything less than 220 in it, and of course a second hopper for polish is ideal). A great benefit of the mini Sonic is that there's a speed dial, and you can lower the speed if the rocks, ceramic/etc media, and slurry aren't thick enough to sustain the highest speed, which starts just after "off." I find that if I keep the level, from the base of the notch, 20 to 30% higher than the height of the notch, then the speed does well anywhere from 75 to 100%.
I purchased mine from Kingsley North, where they had it in stock. Beware that some places will sell you only the machine but not the hopper with the machine. Last October, Johnson Brothers Lapidary confirmed to be that they sell the hopper separately from the machine. Whether that happens with a drop ship or not, I didn't test it.
Good luck!
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zebra61
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2024
Posts: 161
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Post by zebra61 on Feb 2, 2024 12:02:43 GMT -5
Hello! I'm new and glad I found this forum. A couple months ago I was gifted a cheapy amazon rotary tumbler, great intro for someone that knows nothing. I recently purchased a lortone 33B as I have really been enjoying the hobby and results I am getting. I am really interested in getting a vibratory tumbler and have seen a lot of good feedback on the Lot-O BUT I cannot find one anywhere, even used on eBay. A lot of the others have mixed reviews but all seem to get some sort of results. (Mini-Sonic, Raytech, ultra vibe) but I honestly don't know and availability seems all over the place. I called Kingsley North as they are located just 2 hours from me and the guy recommended the Mini-Sonic as they have no idea what is going on with Lot-O (recently purchased?). My end game is mostly fun, friends and family gifts, and maybe sell some local rock pendants to sell alongside my photography at various markets (I am a full-time photographer). I have been following and watching a lot of videos done by Michigan Rocks on YouTube (Thank you for the great info! has given me great results with a $50 rotary tumbler). Side Note: I am not one to just buy equipment because there is something better, there usually is. I like to find the best tool for what I want to use it for, I know cheaper options can get great results with practice and time. Thanks for having me Since I'm located in the State of Minnesota I took a trip down to MN Lapidary Supply in Princeton, MN. While that was a few months ago, Val had a good inventory of the Lot-O's so I added one to my bench. I'm still learning the ins & outs of tumbling (rotary & vibratory) but I'm starting to catch on and there have been some good results so far. I do have some concern about parts availability and motor longevity but mine is only 1 1/2 month old and Val assured me that Lot-O got their 'motor problems' under control. It seem that I guess we'll see. I can't tell you the first thing about the other vibratory tumblers as I have zero experience with them. I can tell you that I'm impressed with the results my Lot-O has provided. Mark |
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doorcorocks
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2024
Posts: 19
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Post by doorcorocks on Feb 5, 2024 16:42:13 GMT -5
I ended up going with the mini sonic. Space is a bit of an issue for me as I live in a loft. I have access to a basement but didnt want to go down to the old 1800s basement a few times a week to grab tumblers. The noise is barely noticeable in this setup!  |
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Post by chris1956 on Feb 5, 2024 17:14:42 GMT -5
Hello! I'm new and glad I found this forum. A couple months ago I was gifted a cheapy amazon rotary tumbler, great intro for someone that knows nothing. I recently purchased a lortone 33B as I have really been enjoying the hobby and results I am getting. I am really interested in getting a vibratory tumbler and have seen a lot of good feedback on the Lot-O BUT I cannot find one anywhere, even used on eBay. A lot of the others have mixed reviews but all seem to get some sort of results. (Mini-Sonic, Raytech, ultra vibe) but I honestly don't know and availability seems all over the place. I called Kingsley North as they are located just 2 hours from me and the guy recommended the Mini-Sonic as they have no idea what is going on with Lot-O (recently purchased?). My end game is mostly fun, friends and family gifts, and maybe sell some local rock pendants to sell alongside my photography at various markets (I am a full-time photographer). I have been following and watching a lot of videos done by Michigan Rocks on YouTube (Thank you for the great info! has given me great results with a $50 rotary tumbler). Side Note: I am not one to just buy equipment because there is something better, there usually is. I like to find the best tool for what I want to use it for, I know cheaper options can get great results with practice and time. Thanks for having me Since I'm located in the State of Minnesota I took a trip down to MN Lapidary Supply in Princeton, MN. While that was a few months ago, Val had a good inventory of the Lot-O's so I added one to my bench. I'm still learning the ins & outs of tumbling (rotary & vibratory) but I'm starting to catch on and there have been some good results so far. I do have some concern about parts availability and motor longevity but mine is only 1 1/2 month old and Val assured me that Lot-O got their 'motor problems' under control. It seem that I guess we'll see. I can't tell you the first thing about the other vibratory tumblers as I have zero experience with them. I can tell you that I'm impressed with the results my Lot-O has provided. Mark Val always seems to have what others are out of. |
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nantucketdink
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 21
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Post by nantucketdink on Feb 20, 2024 13:52:18 GMT -5
My Diamond Pacific VT-35 came today. I have been waiting 6 months or so. It’s a glorious big bastard. Imagine a mini sonic upsized 10 times. I had ordered it through Arrowhead.
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skmcconnell361
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 125
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Post by skmcconnell361 on Feb 20, 2024 15:10:13 GMT -5
I ended up ordering a Mini Sonic MT-4 by Diamond Pacific from SUVA Lapidary Supply, Drop shipped from Manuafacture with a 4 to 12-week lead time. Everyone else said they were simply not available and I could not order from them at that time. I still have a few weeks to wait but at least I know I am getting one direct from the manufacture when they become available.
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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 Feb 20, 2024 19:28:35 GMT -5
My Diamond Pacific VT-35 came today. I have been waiting 6 months or so. It’s a glorious big bastard. Imagine a mini sonic upsized 10 times. I had ordered it through Arrowhead.  |
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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 Feb 22, 2024 19:50:56 GMT -5
I thought I mentioned this in another post here (maybe it was somewhere else), but I ordered a Mini Sonic MT 4 from Johnson Brothers and I got it in 3 days. It was also cheaper than everyone else (under $300 with shipping). I know there are people on here that have had not the best experiences with them, but mine was positive. They appear to still have some in stock.
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