Just Venting .... New Vibe Batch

The stones aren't moving in a circle? Or the vib isn't moving in a circle? If it's the later then the fix is easy. Bolt it to a paving stone. If it's the former than the answer is much more complicated. I was borrowing my father-in-laws vib. He uses it to clean up old metal parts for the cars he is restoring. Anyway, it took me forever to get the movement right going strictly by trial and error and frequent questions to the forum. The lessons I learned are:

1. It does not work on "new" rough. You have to use stones that are the equivalent of having graduated from the initial grinding stage in a rotary tumbler, whether you use a tumbler or a grinder or your saw to get them that way.
2. Moisture level is critical. Your stones should be wet and you have to keep them wet. The best way is with a spray bottle. An occasional spritz or two is usually all that is needed to restore the proper action. If you have a puddle in the bottom all your grit will become compacted at the bottom, the action will get screwed up you'll end up flattening your nicely shaped stones.
3. Fill level is critical. If you don't have enough rock in there you'll never get the right action.

I am not suggesting that this is everything there is to know. This is just what I learned so far. I've never finished a batch in a vib. Neither of my father-in-law's bowls are polish worthy. They sides are discolored from frequent use. I'm thinking about getting a couple of extra bowls for it though since some of the folks here finish their cabs in their vibs and the results are so awesome.

Your vibe should adjust itself in 2 minutes or less. Can you shoot another video of what you're seeing? That would help us troubleshoot.

Chuck

Julie, take the bowl out into the back yard, fill it to the top with water one time, dump it out (carefully as not to dump the stones out), re-install it on the vibe and turn it back on.

Hi Kids ....

I got home from work and the first thing I did was check the tumbler.

What I found was a tumbler that was vibrating ... I think ... but not one even one itty bitty rock was moving .... and I mean not moving.

So I got my wooden spatula and tried to move the contents around a bit and start it up. I then took a video and am now in the process of uploading into Photobucket. This is still a noisy sucker, but not as bad as the first one.

I then read the responses and saw Randy's input and I immediately went to the back yard and did as instructed. I filled the bowl up, let it sit a bit and then dumped it.

I cleaned off the outside of the bowl and put it back on the tumbler. I turned it on and it started to roll as it should and is moving slightly in a circular motion. I keep checking it to see if it is stalling again or just going in a circle and not rolling. So far, so good. One observation though ... the tumbler is acting (somewhat) like it is shifting gears. There is a good roll and circle going and then it slows down a little and the rolling slows down a little, then it picks up a bit. Should it be doing this?

One thing though ... when I filled it up with water and dumped it, I probably lost a good portion of the grit.

So .... should I a) leave it completely alone until tomorrow morning at which time I will see if I need to spritz and add any more grit? OR ... b) should I add the grit now and let it rip until tomorrow morning at which time I will spritz before going to work?

I also have a question about an additional additive that comes with the tumbler. Could this be causing the problem? I got this brownish powder with the tumbler called "old miser". It is supposed to aid in helping the grit stick more to the rocks.

Geeesh .... has anyone else ever had this much trouble with their vibe? I am beginning think I am being picked on by the tumbler gods.

As always ...

Julie, are you sure there isn't a cemented clump in the bottom on the side that won't turn?