Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,497
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 26, 2009 10:37:50 GMT -5
Howdy folks,
I've got a small Mini-Sonic tumbler that I use strictly for sanding cabs and I friggin hate it. It's supposed to be a variable speed but after about a year, the lower settings wouldn't even rotate the load. Only rotates on the highest speed setting now, is horribly noisy and constantly stops load rotation except when run totally dry. I'd take it out in the yard and take a sledge to it except I just bought an extra tub and I still need the damn thing. My question to all you other vibe users is: Are there any other good small vibes except the Lot-O that work well and are durable? Also seems as if I've read someone saying Lot-O's have some problems now too. Have they fixed this issue?.......Mel
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tomcloss
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 158
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Post by tomcloss on Nov 26, 2009 12:45:52 GMT -5
Hmmm I missed the thread about problems with the Lot-o. I bought my Lot-O about a year ago and I've had no problems with it.
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Post by tkrueger3 on Nov 26, 2009 13:07:17 GMT -5
The Rock Shed has the UV-3 ... if it's small you want, along with the reliability and longevity.
Tom
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,497
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 26, 2009 15:42:21 GMT -5
I'm going to check out both the Lot-O and the UV-3 but I may have figured out the problem with the Mini-Sonic. I was messing with it and it seems something is broken underneath which allows the barrel to vibrate side to side . This extra action kills the rotation and causes the load to just settle to the bottom and sit. I rigged a leather pad to fit between the barrel and the frame wall and stop this side to side action and now it's not only rotating the load properly but the speed adjustment now works and it's a lot quieter. Don't know if this will permanently fix the problem but for now it's working, anyway.....Mel
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roblee
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2009
Posts: 2 
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Post by roblee on Dec 1, 2009 8:38:52 GMT -5
I've got a MiniSonic MT-10 vibe tumbler and love it. Being able to adjust the speed really helps when dealing with softer rocks. I have experienced a similar problem with a non-rotating load of all cabs. It is best to add some ceramic media and/or small rocks to help the cabs tumble properly. To help with the noise, I folded up a piece of thick carpet (4 layers thick) under the vibe and placed it on a concrete floor. It isn't any louder than my rotary tumblers.
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Post by johnjsgems on Dec 1, 2009 10:09:05 GMT -5
Mel, I have one of the discontinued 2.2 lb. Mini-Sonic and "tweaked" it to run better. It ran great for two days and then the diode wire broke off. It was 4 years old but I took it in to Diamond Pacific and explained what happened. They completely rebuilt it at no charge. Did I mention I won it in a club show raffle? If you wanted to pay shipping to them, I'm sure they would fix it for you. Mine is quieter since they reworked it but the carpet under really helps. I've run it at shows in a cardboard box with a folded towel under the tumbler. There is no motor to overheat.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,497
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Post by Sabre52 on Dec 1, 2009 11:13:39 GMT -5
Thanks for the info guys. I do have the Mini-sonic on a pad and lots of ceramic and plastic beads, tiny rocks etc in the load. I'm one day into the prepolish cycle on my cabs now and with the pad I rigged next to the barrel it seem to be running real well. I think I'll ask Santa for a UV-10 though as finishing lots in the rotary takes so darn long......Mel
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Post by rocklicker on Dec 2, 2009 1:23:09 GMT -5
Glad to hear your minisonic is working again and that the leather did the trick. Sounds like one of the springs on the bottom has come loose. I had the problem of the rocks not "rolling" at first but started adding small rocks as filler. Now it churns along easily. It's on rubber mat on the garage floor. Sure it's noiser than all the rotaries put together, but at half speed is fine. The cats freaked out at first but are fine with it now. BTW hope santa brings you a shiney red UV10 ;D
Steve
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