rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
Posts: 224
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Post by rockinronda on Mar 20, 2024 17:58:35 GMT -5
I need -NEED! a vibratory tumbler FOR ROCKS 🪨 💎 I’ve been searching all the reputable rock shops (as well as Google, Amazon, eBay) multiple times a week and on several waitlists. So please pm if anyone happens to see one in stock somewhere, or what supply shop you use so I can have more places to check. I’d really appreciate it 🫶
BTW, why is supply so far behind demand? Seems like there’s room in the market for competition *wink wink* *hint hint* *nudge nudge*
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brybry
Cave Dweller 
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,221
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Post by brybry on Mar 20, 2024 18:01:19 GMT -5
Do you have a way to build your own? Putting the parts together and building your own may be a cheaper option.
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Post by chris1956 on Mar 20, 2024 18:34:52 GMT -5
You might try Minnesota Lapidary Supply. I don't know how much equipment Val stocks but he keeps a good supply of parts. Probably a long shot but try if you haven't tried them yet, assuming you are looking for new.
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Post by velodromed on Mar 20, 2024 18:36:31 GMT -5
Raytech 5 was my first vibe and gave me very good results. I got the version with two barrels for around $150, 1 barrel for AO and the other SiC. I’ve used it near non-stop for the last 10 months or so. It is loud though. Teeth rattling loud.
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rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
Posts: 224
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Post by rockinronda on Mar 20, 2024 18:54:57 GMT -5
You might try Minnesota Lapidary Supply. I don't know how much equipment Val stocks but he keeps a good supply of parts. Probably a long shot but try if you haven't tried them yet, assuming you are looking for new.  I don’t see an online store, but will call them when they open, thanks! |
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rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
Posts: 224
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Post by rockinronda on Mar 20, 2024 18:57:58 GMT -5
Raytech 5 was my first vibe and gave me very good results. I got the version with two barrels for around $150, 1 barrel for AO and the other SiC. I’ve used it near non-stop for the last 10 months or so. It is loud though. Teeth rattling loud. Is that the brand not made for rocks? I was told to make sure I get a vibe specifically for rocks. |
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Post by vegasjames on Mar 20, 2024 19:07:16 GMT -5
They pop up on Facebook Lapidary Equipment Marketplace and similar pages on occasion. There was a UV-18 on there about a week or 2 ago. I like the UV-18s, have 3 of them and they do a great job of putting a high polish on the rocks I first rotary tumble in water for a month to remove and points and sharp edges.
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Post by chris1956 on Mar 20, 2024 19:09:11 GMT -5
You might try Minnesota Lapidary Supply. I don't know how much equipment Val stocks but he keeps a good supply of parts. Probably a long shot but try if you haven't tried them yet, assuming you are looking for new. I don’t see an online store, but will call them when they open, thanks! Yes, you have to call them. Maybe why they sometimes have stuff others don't. |
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rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
Posts: 224
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Post by rockinronda on Mar 20, 2024 19:16:27 GMT -5
Do you have a way to build your own? Putting the parts together and building your own may be a cheaper option. Thank you, I will keep this in my back pocket for now. There’s several machines I’m interested in making. A vibe is not one lol. Tho I may have to out of necessity. |
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rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
Posts: 224
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Post by rockinronda on Mar 20, 2024 19:28:23 GMT -5
They pop up on Facebook Lapidary Equipment Marketplace and similar pages on occasion. There was a UV-18 on there about a week or 2 ago. I like the UV-18s, have 3 of them and they do a great job of putting a high polish on the rocks I first rotary tumble in water for a month to remove and points and sharp edges. I can’t imagine having enough material ready for final polish to fill that thing let alone 3 of them 😆 you a grown a** rock tumbler, I’m still in pre-k 😆 |
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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 Mar 20, 2024 19:41:04 GMT -5
Raytech 5 was my first vibe and gave me very good results. I got the version with two barrels for around $150, 1 barrel for AO and the other SiC. I’ve used it near non-stop for the last 10 months or so. It is loud though. Teeth rattling loud. Is that the brand not made for rocks? I was told to make sure I get a vibe specifically for rocks. The raytech 5 can be used with rocks. |
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Post by velodromed on Mar 20, 2024 21:06:40 GMT -5
Raytech 5 was my first vibe and gave me very good results. I got the version with two barrels for around $150, 1 barrel for AO and the other SiC. I’ve used it near non-stop for the last 10 months or so. It is loud though. Teeth rattling loud. Is that the brand not made for rocks? I was told to make sure I get a vibe specifically for rocks. It’s made for rocks, the Raytech 5 is.  |
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Post by miket on Mar 21, 2024 10:42:01 GMT -5
I use the raytech 5 also, recommended to me by manofglass. Sure it's a bit loud but I've never had any troubles with it. |
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Post by vegasjames on Mar 21, 2024 13:38:09 GMT -5
They pop up on Facebook Lapidary Equipment Marketplace and similar pages on occasion. There was a UV-18 on there about a week or 2 ago. I like the UV-18s, have 3 of them and they do a great job of putting a high polish on the rocks I first rotary tumble in water for a month to remove and points and sharp edges. I can’t imagine having enough material ready for final polish to fill that thing let alone 3 of them 😆 you a grown a** rock tumbler, I’m still in pre-k 😆 I am running a lot of my big rocks in a cement mixer right now to clean off the desert varnish and other crusts, and to soften up some of the sharp and rough chalcedonies. It does in hours what takes weeks in a small tumbler.
The rocks I have not already pulled will get one more day then I am going to empty it all out and put the rocks I broke up in there and see how they do in comparison. Larger tumblers do work quicker with the extra weight of the rocks.
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
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Post by rocknewb101 on Mar 21, 2024 14:20:20 GMT -5
They pop up on Facebook Lapidary Equipment Marketplace and similar pages on occasion. There was a UV-18 on there about a week or 2 ago. I like the UV-18s, have 3 of them and they do a great job of putting a high polish on the rocks I first rotary tumble in water for a month to remove and points and sharp edges. I can’t imagine having enough material ready for final polish to fill that thing let alone 3 of them 😆 you a grown a** rock tumbler, I’m still in pre-k 😆 Oh just give yourself time!! It doesn't take long at all to graduate pre-k when it comes to collecting rocks!!  |
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rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
Posts: 224
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Post by rockinronda on Mar 21, 2024 14:26:32 GMT -5
I am running a lot of my big rocks in a cement mixer right now to clean off the desert varnish and other crusts, and to soften up some of the sharp and rough chalcedonies. It does in hours what takes weeks in a small tumbler. [/div]
The rocks I have not already pulled will get one more day then I am going to empty it all out and put the rocks I broke up in there and see how they do in comparison.  Larger tumblers do work quicker with the extra weight of the rocks.
[/quote] A cement mixer?! I imagine you do this for a living then? I bet it does! Now have me thinking abt a wind driven whiskey barrel…wonder how long the wood would hold up, could line it with repurposed tires maybe…🤔my brain likes to think abt making things. My body…not as much lol BTW is that a red bellied Pacu in your pic??? |
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Post by vegasjames on Mar 21, 2024 21:17:09 GMT -5
I am running a lot of my big rocks in a cement mixer right now to clean off the desert varnish and other crusts, and to soften up some of the sharp and rough chalcedonies. It does in hours what takes weeks in a small tumbler. [/div]
The rocks I have not already pulled will get one more day then I am going to empty it all out and put the rocks I broke up in there and see how they do in comparison. Larger tumblers do work quicker with the extra weight of the rocks.
[/quote] A cement mixer?! I imagine you do this for a living then? I bet it does! Now have me thinking abt a wind driven whiskey barrel…wonder how long the wood would hold up, could line it with repurposed tires maybe…🤔my brain likes to think abt making things. My body…not as much lol BTW is that a red bellied Pacu in your pic??? [/quote][/div]
No, I have been in medicine 45 years. The rocks are just a hobby, but a friend is putting together a website so I can sell some of my stones.
I cab stones for relaxation, and have traded off many of them for wire wrapping services for presents.
Looking at building a large tumbler with metal barrels. I am thinking a 30 gallon barrel inside of a 50 gallon barrel, then fill the space between the barrels to dampen the noise. Would be pretty easy to build. In the middle of building something else right now.
Yes, he is a red bellied pacu. His name is Pirano. He has been with me for 16 years and is somewhere around 21 inches.
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rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
Posts: 224
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Post by rockinronda on Mar 21, 2024 23:21:41 GMT -5
Yes, he is a red bellied pacu. His name is Pirano. He has been with me for 16 years and is somewhere around 21 inches. |
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Post by vegasjames on Mar 21, 2024 23:33:40 GMT -5
Yes, he is a red bellied pacu. His name is Pirano. He has been with me for 16 years and is somewhere around 21 inches. I had a large pleco in with him at one time. Found him with the pleco's head in his mouth eating him. So he is all by himself now. |
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Post by manofglass on Mar 22, 2024 15:14:42 GMT -5
I use the raytech 5 also, recommended to me by manofglass. Sure it's a bit loud but I've never had any troubles with it. Raytech 23-001 TV-5 Standard Vibratory Plastic Tumbler, 0.05 Cubic feet Bowl Capacity, 115V, 60 Hz a.co/d/cm0YDlvGet the grit kit from www.therockshed.com and 5 pounds of ceramic I get a good polish from it  |
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