rockmom
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2009
Posts: 5
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Post by rockmom on Apr 5, 2009 21:38:38 GMT -5
Hello! I am Victoria and I live with two pint sized rock addicts. (sounds like an intro at AA) LOL! I found you guys while researching tumblers this weekend. I see that I could easily get addicted too looking at some of the work you guys produce. Here is my first of probably ten thousand questions. I know that we want a vibe tumbler. My problem is I am on a budget. I have found a few on eBay but can't tell if they are all good for rocks. I did find one that was only for ammo but what about the ones that are a bit vague with description? I keep falling back to look at the Raytech TV-5. I am so confused now, please help!
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 5, 2009 23:03:09 GMT -5
Victoria, welcome to the forum. I think you can find posts about the TV-5 here if you dig a little. They are the lowest cost vibrating rock tumbler. You will probably find people that like them. As a lapidary equipment dealer I have to use caution making public comments about products. I'll just say I don't sell them any more. I'd buy a used Mini-Sonic, Lotto, or Ultra Vibe if I were you. New I'd look at Covington's "Berry's Blue" as a similar style tumbler for comparison. Definitely steer clear of the "too good to be true" priced tumblers as most are for metal finishing or dry use and won't hold up for rock processing.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Apr 5, 2009 23:18:08 GMT -5
The Thumlers UV-10 is a bit more pricey, but from experience (I'm not a dealer ;D ) they are the best!! Whatever you decide to get, I can answer absolutely any question on the operation of these. I even have a batch going now in the last stage Oh, as John mentioned, make sure that the add or auction clearly states that it's for lapidary use. You may even want to ask the seller if it's for tumbling rocks or shell casings. We've had a few people on here order the wrong one (the wrong one costs much less) Hey, where do you live?
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rockmom
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2009
Posts: 5
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Post by rockmom on Apr 6, 2009 0:04:39 GMT -5
John- Thanks for the help. At least I can start marking machines off the list faster. Randy- Thank you too. I live in a little nothing of a town called Ellijay, GA. It is almost exactly half way between Atlanta and Chattanooga, TN. We are pretty close to NC where all the "mines" are. My boys are 11 and 7 and are SURE they have thousands of dollars worth of rocks and minerals from the salted mines and various driveways. LOL! I guess ya gotta start somewhere.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2009 2:27:41 GMT -5
Hi Victoria & welcome to the forum, i am sorry i can not help about the vibe, it is not my specialty, however do you already have a rotary tumbler? If not you will need one, just for the 1st grind as replacement vibe bowls are very expensive & the bowl will be chewed-up in no time with the F80 grit! Also be aware other users may offer you freebies & it is up to you whether you accept or not, i too have had offers of freebies from 2 users so far, unfortunately i had to decline both as i do not have the space & it would detract me from my primary goal to rotary tumble stones from my local area! -- I hail from (The Barony of Seabegs) Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire U.K, where aliens sometimes come for a visit! And about 4 miles west from this monstrosity!
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Mudshark
fully equipped rock polisher
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,083
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Post by Mudshark on Apr 6, 2009 15:19:26 GMT -5
Hi and welcome to the group.Randy gave you some good advice,the uv10 is a great vibe.I had one with a hard plastic bowl that was not for lapidary use and it only lasted a few months.The uv10 is also a little quieter than the others too. Mike
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Apr 6, 2009 18:55:56 GMT -5
If you run across a Lot-O for a good used price, I can tell you it's a great vibe, I've got years of good tumbles out of mine...
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rockwizz
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2007
Posts: 971
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Post by rockwizz on Apr 9, 2009 0:11:02 GMT -5
Hey Victoria...welcome to the forum. IMHO, you should start with a used lortone, preferably a 3lb..so you get the feel for it. That's what I got started on a few years back. Hopefully this economy will pick up and you'll be able to get you a lot o tumbler (double barrell)
Good luck,
Ozzy
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rockmom
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2009
Posts: 5
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Post by rockmom on Apr 9, 2009 23:51:18 GMT -5
After spending (too many) hours reading the posts here and doing a bit more research I have decided I will go with the uv-10. A little more than I wanted to spend right now but I figure if the boys' rocks have sat here for several years they can wait a few more weeks for me to save up a little more money. Thanks for all the help so far! I will be sure to post pics of our first batch. Victoria
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Post by frane on Apr 10, 2009 15:46:12 GMT -5
Hi Victoria and welcome to the board! I have a UV-5...You really need a tumbler too if you are going to use this one. The rough edges need to be off the rock before this bowl can handle it. I will use it till it won't run anymore and then I will get the one I want that will have a sturdier bowl. A tumbler will round the rock and get it shaped and a vibe pretty much keeps your form without removing as much rock. Depends on what kind of results you want if you are only going to get one or the other. Just have fun! Fran
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Post by MyNewHobby on Apr 10, 2009 15:52:29 GMT -5
Welcome RockMom!!!
You will love it here.
As always ... my humble thanks
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rockmom
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2009
Posts: 5
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Post by rockmom on Apr 10, 2009 23:01:51 GMT -5
Fran--I think we are going to start with the vibe mostly because of the minimal rock loss and not changing the shape so much. We mostly have years of fairly round/smooth rocks piled up right now. Trust me when I say the more I see and read here I will be getting a rotary later on. I need to get the boys excited about the process with the quicker choice. My 11 year old has ADD and the 7 year old is well, a 7 year old. If I can get them hooked then it can lead to an activity the whole family can do together (that doesn't require the Wii, LOL)
Victoria
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 11, 2009 9:49:17 GMT -5
If you can collect your own rocks off where there isn't any cell service even better. Why is it kids are addicted to text messaging?
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anilyn1
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2009
Posts: 9
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Post by anilyn1 on Apr 14, 2009 15:24:26 GMT -5
Hi! I'm brand new to this too and I got the UV-10 and really love it. I still have a lot to learn and may want to branch out with some other types later but this is great for right now. The first time I tried, the rocks didn't end up very polished so if you look at my post "What Happened?" you'll see the suggestions I got, which really helped. Anita
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bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719
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Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 15, 2009 21:30:17 GMT -5
Hi Rockmom welcome to the family. I have 2 TV-5s and 1 UV 10. Being runnin the TV,s for 3 months non stop. 2 of the bowls are shot now I just use them for pre,and polish. The UV-10 just for rough. Had the UV for a month and I wish I would have gotten 2. Buy the UV-10 and get a extra bowl for polish. BMB
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Post by stonesthatrock on Apr 16, 2009 10:50:53 GMT -5
Hi Rockmom , welcome to the board. you will love all the information and help you get from everyone here.
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