Post by rockdewd on Aug 16, 2008 15:46:25 GMT -5
Well the vibe crash test dummy has been at it again. I wrote a few weeks ago about my Raytech biting the dust. I was intending on replacing it with a Thumlers Ultra Vibe. But then my alternator went out on my truck, etc. So I had a HF vibe tumbler sitting around so I decided to use it with a 10 lb ultra vibe bowl for my polish tumbler. Well the polish wasn't coming out so well and it looked like the stones were being toss up and down as well as the regular tumbling motion. It looked like the HF was too powerful for a 10 lb bowl.
So I took the bottom off and compared the off center weight with an ultravibe. It was 1/8 inch longer and a little thicker. So I took the weight off the HF and ground 1/8 of metal off. Put it all back together and WaLa! It works much smoother and the polish is coming out as expected.
I don't know how long the HF motor will last running 24/7. But for right now it's doing the job and is much better construction than the Raytech POS.
I'll keep you posted on how long it lasts.
So in summery, the Harbor Freight Central Electric vibe tumbler bowl suck and wears quickly but can be replaced cheaply. The motor seem to be well constructed but the weight needs some tuning. For $30 bucks on sale it's a good standby.
Rick
So I took the bottom off and compared the off center weight with an ultravibe. It was 1/8 inch longer and a little thicker. So I took the weight off the HF and ground 1/8 of metal off. Put it all back together and WaLa! It works much smoother and the polish is coming out as expected.
I don't know how long the HF motor will last running 24/7. But for right now it's doing the job and is much better construction than the Raytech POS.
I'll keep you posted on how long it lasts.
So in summery, the Harbor Freight Central Electric vibe tumbler bowl suck and wears quickly but can be replaced cheaply. The motor seem to be well constructed but the weight needs some tuning. For $30 bucks on sale it's a good standby.
Rick
