icinzy
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2008
Posts: 2
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Post by icinzy on May 19, 2008 20:16:59 GMT -5
Anyone using a vibrating tumbler with success?
or
Should I stick with the rotary?
I started out using a rotary tumbler but I kept breaking belts.
I have a duel drum and a single drum Chicago tumbler. I can not seem to find the info on where to get replacement belts. Who has the best belts? And what is the best tumbler? This is something I plan to do for a really long time and since my dad has confiscated my tumbler... I have to get a new one anyway.
I plan to take my husband, son (5), daughter (5), my sister and her twin girls (8) and my dad to Franklin, NC to the gem mines this summer. I am hoping to come across some great stuff (I am so easy to please, I had a blast at Morefield Mine in VA) and I want to have a tumbler that will work for me. :-) All your thoughts are welcome.
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Rockygibraltar
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,404
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Post by Rockygibraltar on May 19, 2008 21:08:52 GMT -5
Welcome Icinzy! I use the vib from time to time but I find that the rotory makes nicer shapes. Also the vibs are kind of needy, you need to tend them every day. I would recomend a Lortone, they are pretty good and not to pricey.
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on May 19, 2008 21:28:09 GMT -5
If you want to get the CE tumbler going, try using orings for belts. They last way longer than the CE belts.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 20, 2008 2:11:27 GMT -5
Welcome , I use a Lot "O" 4 1/2lb model great results As people say above FIRST use the rotary for stage one then vibe, the rotary out shines the vibe for shaping and smoothing , then there is NO comparison the Vibe is outstanding in speed and a good finish (in my honest opinion) The vibe will cut your cost dramaticaly and time from 220 G it takes 10 days with the vibe , But 6 weeks + with the rotary, I have replyed to another query and given this link forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=trtphoto&action=display&thread=23276If you would like a copy of "Conrocks vibe recepie " just email me john@matco.me.uk Surley the results speak for themselfs have a good day Jack Yorkshire UK PS I forgot to welcome you !! Hope you get the help and assistance to get the Gloss finish we all love , John |
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on May 20, 2008 2:15:02 GMT -5
Vibes are fast but require a lot of tending to, and they don't round stones very well, basically the shape you start with is the shape you end up with, just much shinier. Rotaries take much longer, require much less tending to, but are very effective at making nice, rounded stones. In an ideal world, you'd have a rotary for coarse grinding to give you the rounded shapes, and a vibe to finish off the other stages quickly.
Chicago Electric has a terrible reputation. Basically you get what you pay for. If you don't mind frequent tinkering with your machine to keep it rolling (and some folks LIKE tinkering), then CE is an inexpensive machine that will do the job (with a lot of TLC). If you don't want to spend your time replacing belts and so forth, then Lortone or Thumblers will give you much more reliable machines, for more $$$ of course. They also require some tinkering, but vastly less than CE. If you are really planning to get into this for the long-term, definitely go with Lortone or Thumblers. I use Lortone 6 lb tumblers, which I find to be very solid and trouble-free. Many years ago I had a couple of Lortone 3 lb tumblers, which I felt were much lower quality than the 6 pounders. No idea if that is still true or not.
-Don
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 20, 2008 2:39:53 GMT -5
Hi Don & Incky , Yes it is true The extra weight in the 6lb tumbler helps enormasly in the grinding action. I ran several 3 lb tumblers to start with befor I went on to 6 lb Pain tins  (which did a good job inbetween leaks and catstrasphies" !!!) I then went on to Thumbler and Letone 6lb trouble free ? anyway a BIG step forward Jack Yorkshire UK |
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Post by deb193redux on May 20, 2008 10:48:19 GMT -5
For the type of thing you get at gem mines, I would stick with rotary, unless you add a vibe to do the final stages. ALso, keep in mind fractured or cloudy gemstone going in is still going top be fractured and cloudy comming out - just smoother.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 21, 2008 1:55:55 GMT -5
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(which did a good job inbetween leaks and catstrasphies" !!!)
