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Post by 150FromFundy on May 14, 2009 20:28:46 GMT -5
I'm ready to buy a vibratory tumbler and need some input from members who run them. I already have a Thumbler A-R2 for the grit stages and plan on using the vibe for the pre-polish and polish stages. But do I have a lot of questions.
From what I have read, I am tending to wards the Thumbler UltraVibe-10. The UltraVibe-18 doesn't cost that much more, but that seems like a demanding beast to feed. I don't think my A-R2 would ever keep up.
1. Can I polish mini-slabs (flat lap style) in a UV-10? If so, up to what size? If not, what is the largest pre-form that I could polish?
2. Do I need two ceramic bowls if I am only using it for pre-polish and polish? I understand that I need the second ceramic bowl if I intend to use it for the grit stages.
3. Is there another unit in this price range that I should consider?
4. Almost forgot, how many batches am I going to screw up before I get it right?
Thanks for any input you may have to offer?
150FromFundy
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 15, 2009 3:55:02 GMT -5
Hi
I run a 4 1/2lb Lot"O"
I can send you a few questions and answers from Conrock that perswaded me to get a vibe
The best thing I ever did
Conrocks Guide to a High gloss finish email me john@matco.me.uk
Have a gooday
Jack
Yorkshire UK
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Rogue Trader
freely admits to licking rocks
"Don't cry because you are leaving, smile because you were there."
Member since December 2008
Posts: 839
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Post by Rogue Trader on May 15, 2009 4:14:38 GMT -5
Hi I run a 4 1/2lb Lot"O" I can send you a few questions and answers from Conrock that perswaded me to get a vibe The best thing I ever did Conrocks Guide to a High gloss finish email me john@matco.me.uk Have a gooday Jack Yorkshire UK Jack, from your vast knowledge database, is there a vibe seller/maker in UK? |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2009 5:41:50 GMT -5
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on May 15, 2009 6:35:16 GMT -5
A vibe really speeds things up, but they do require more attention. 1. You can polish slabs in the UltraVibe. Randy might be able to help you with size. 2. The bowls are plastic on both the Lot-O and the UltraVibe. Only one bowl is needed for pre-polish and polish. I think you could probably get by with one bowl regardless, based on my experience with a UV-18. 3. The Lot-O may be the best size for you; the Rock Shed could likely ship you one. 4. That's up to you!  There is a bit of a learning curve, though. Getting the load right is the hardest part, I think. Use small stuff (1/2" or less) for about 1/3 - 1/2 of your load. In the UV-10, put in only a couple of egg-sized rocks. Hope that helps, Chuck |
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Post by Michael John on May 15, 2009 18:07:52 GMT -5
My opinion ... with all of the rock that's at your disposal, you should go for the UV18. The little extra cost for the ability to tumble almost twice as much per load seems like a no-brainer to me. If you had to buy your rock, perhaps it would be different, but since you can throw a few hundred pounds of gorgeous stuff in the back of your truck when you go hounding, it seems silly to unnecessarily limit your tumbling ability.
You don't need your rotary to keep-up with your vibe. If you cut slabs, then carefully cut preforms, the preforms can go straight into the vibe. When they're done, glue bells on them and sell them to fund your addiction.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on May 15, 2009 20:49:43 GMT -5
Just an FYI on pre-forms in a UV-10: Randy gets upwards of 500 in a single load.
Chuck
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 16, 2009 2:50:59 GMT -5
Hi Dave and RT,
Thanks Dave for that infomation I hadnt hear of any one in UK that sells Vibes I will bear that in Mind (& I was just over at MM 6 weeks ago)
If you dont look and ask you dont find out
RT,
There you go RT answered !!
Have a good day both of you
Jack
yorkshire UK
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2009 17:03:11 GMT -5
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 17, 2009 1:48:34 GMT -5
Hi Andrew
A good link Thanks
Jack Yorkshire UK
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Post by connrock on May 17, 2009 4:16:16 GMT -5
HRC,
I'd like to make a correction here on you post if I may.
The Lot-O does not have a plastic bowl but rather a very durable rubber bowl that lasts for years.
connrock
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on May 17, 2009 8:24:59 GMT -5
Thanks for the correction Tom!
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Post by Bikerrandy on May 17, 2009 20:03:51 GMT -5
My first UV-10 bowl lasted 3 years, the new ones are even thicker now and more rounded for better movement of the rocks. I highly recommend it, I got mine from the Rockshed. It came with free candy ;D
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Post by Bikerrandy on May 17, 2009 20:05:15 GMT -5
Oh, and yes, you can tumble mini slabs in the UV-10. I've done slabs up to four inches for wind chimes.
Naturenut turned out some perfect batches in a very short time after her purchase. Just ask many questions and you can't go wrong.
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Post by 150FromFundy on May 17, 2009 20:40:34 GMT -5
Thanks to all for the input.
The whole size thing did raise one more question ... How much grit and polish is required for the UV-10 verses the UV-18?
500 pre-forms to fill a UV-18 does seam like an intimidating task. I guessing that is 250 to 300 to fill the UV-10.
150FromFundy
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Post by Bikerrandy on May 18, 2009 10:16:23 GMT -5
No, 500 to fill the UV-10! If I had the UV-18, I could do around 1200 pre-forms. Honestly, I have no use for anything that big. It would take me a month to cut that much material.
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There is a bit of a learning curve, though. Getting the load right is the hardest part, I think. Use small stuff (1/2" or less) for about 1/3 - 1/2 of your load. In the UV-10, put in only a couple of egg-sized rocks.
