Instructions for vibe tumblers....

Hey, rocktumbler, that looks like a Chicago Electric that Harbor Freight sells, pictured with Thumblers grit, what kind of box was it in? I'm thinking since this is your first post,I think you are connected with that site. thats nothing but a ripoff, these sell for under $35 at Harbor Freight, less than $30 on sale. Either you got taken or who you trying to fool?

snuffy

I'm a two years and a lot of batches through my Ultra Vibe 10 with considerable success thanks to many, and Randy especially. Reading about equipment and parts problems prompts me to mention the lowly wing nuts that secure the bowl and lid: The UV 10 comes with stamped wing nuts. I noticed some time ago the threads were wearing out making me anxious about tightening securely. I replaced them with cast bronze or brass wing nuts available at any hardware store. They have more "thread area" so they tighten down securely and won't over time chew the threads on the center rod. Sorry to sound like "Hints to Heloise".

Hi Randy ,Chuck and all,

On page 1 Chuck mentioned Conrocks (Tom's)Recepie for the smaller Batch users in passing

As this hasent been given in full I hope this note will help and give the smaller user this information

This is for the Lot"O" 3 1/2 lb machine so Chucks Maths is worked out on this 3 1/2 lb load

I was talked into getting a vibe by Tom 3 yrs ago (The best thing I ever bought my Lot"O" )

So If the Big Guys (UV 10's) would kindley let me share Toms recepie here for other Smaller and Lot"O" users and you can work out pro rata ,your loads to grit ratio for your selfs and your own vibe .

I have altered the final polish slightly but all the credit for this gloss finish recepie goes to Conrock (Tom )

Fill container with water (to cussion rocks ) add rocks fill container up to top
Then TIP all water out of container

Then add with Lot"O" switched on (& at each stage following ) add 1/2teaspoon Soap flakes (to help carry the grit round ) and 1 teaspoon Borax

Check the vibe regulary &as the grit works Add a few drops of water to keep rocks looking a Glossy Grey

DO NOT add more than a few drops at a time

The recepie is

From 2nd Stage
6 teaspoons 220 Grit -------- Run for 48 Hours
Wash Up,
1/2 Teaspoon 400 grit -------Run 24 hours
Wash up,
1/2 Teaspoon 600 Grit ------Run 24 hours,
Wash up

Burnishing stage
1 Teaspoon soapflakes 2 teaspoons Borax--------------run over night 12 to 18 hours
Wash up I also change barrel to polishing barrel at this stage.

From now on NO washing just adding ingrediants

1/2 Teaspoon 1000grit ----------Run 48 Hours
ADD 1/2 teaspoon Tripoli ---------Run 24 hours
ADD 1/2 teaspoon TO AND 1/2 teaspoon CO -----Run for 48 Hours

The finish is a very High gloss finish and has to be seen to belived
Wash By Hand in warm water

A problem arose when I washed in the vibe for 20 mins -- BUT forgot them till 4 hours later and by that time the gloss was a lot less and the Lapis had gone grey on th edges Grrrrrrrrrrrr hence my "Wash by hand note"

Hope this is of help to the "smaller Vibe People ?" !!!

Jack
Yorkshire UK

Does anyone have any suggestions on dry viratory tumbling?

Yeehaa! I just placed an order for a second bowl for polishing with my Raytech TV-10 I've had lying fallow with a used bowl! I guess I should get going with some low grit action right away!! woo hoo! This info was totally inspiring and directly gave me the nudge i have needed to get going tumbling. Thanks Randy!

I am new to tumbling. I purchased a Thumler ultra vibe 45 and an extra barrel for polish as recommended, but I am uncertain as to quantities of water, grits, and times as they apply to this larger barrel. I live on Oregon's southcoast where there is an abundance of pet wood. I plan to put in an assortment of sizes, including double fist sized. Please advise. Thanks, Gary

Well, Danny Miller directed me here. He recommended asking bikerrandy about vib brands. But after reading all the posts, well I think I know what the answer will be. How about if I guess its the UV-10? Did I guess right Randy? Waiting for an answer before ordering................. Hope to hear from you soon!

I've got a Thumler UV 45 that I've just taken around the block a few times. I'm on my third batch of fine grind. I've not continued with pre-polish nor polish stages because some of the figure and contrasting color have been lost in the initial grind, which I ran for two days, rinsed, recharged, then ran for two days more. I use 2 1/2 cups of 120/220 each time, adding about 10 oz of water to start. My thought is to only continue to the next stages with the very best looking stuff. So after this batch, I will high grade and move on. Since this is my first tumbling experience, I rely upon methods posted here, however I have not seen feedback from other UV 45 users. Capacity on this baby is 57#, although I find that loading it to capacity limits movement of the larger pieces. So I am running somewhere in the low fifties.

Since the pet I get off the beach (Oregon's south coast) is in a way pre-tumbled, perhaps I could cut the fine grind back to a couple of days. Rather than experiment with variations, I thought I'd ask for your feedback.

Also, it would be helpful to see a video of a UV 45 in operation, just so I could have a mental picture of ideal movement, slurry consistency, and rock size ratios. Has anyone seen anything like this?

Thanks, Gary

O.K. Bikerrandy. I have taken notes on your polishing tecniques for a vibrating tumbler. However I have a Raytech TV-5 tumbler that can polish 4lbs. of rock. What capacity tumbler are these instructions for?? I mean how much grit,borax,and polishing agent would I use. If you let me know I can do the math. I polish all Lake Superior agates.