Newbie

Linda, rotaries are definitely cheaper and in my experience more mistake proof. The down side of a rotary is that it takes much longer. The down side of a vibratory is that it does not round edges as well. If you become addicted, as many here (including myself are), you may want both. If I were to only have one, it would be a rotary--but the decision is based on your budget, your error tolerance, and how well rounded you want your finished stones.

Conventional wisdom is that you want at least two barrels--one for the "grit stages" and one for polish. I have two, and I agree it is best. The reason is that unless you are compulsive about a thorough cleaning, a piece of three of grit can remain in the barrel and ruin your polish stage. This being said, I went for years with only one barrel and rarely had problems. When I did, I just backed up a stage (500 grit), ran it another week, then back to polish.

How many you need is up to you. You only need one to do a batch of rocks, but the full process (in a rotary) can take up to three months. I was quite happy with my one tumbler for years, but now have four rotaries and one vibratory tumbler. There's no reason not to start with one, though, and buy others as you feel the need.

I have a Thumler that I have now had for probably thirty years. I've had to take it apart to clean it, replaced a few belts and a few lids, but other than that, it is still grumbling away. I now also have Lortones; they are a bit quieter but so far have been maintenance free. Who knows, though, the Thumler may have improved in "noise level" in the past thirty years.

I only have one vibe, and don't feel I have enough experience to comment here--perhaps someone else can help.

Susan

Hi Linda,

As most people have said start with a rotary Polisher,
Even when you have a vibe if you want nice shaped rocks most people use a Rotary for stage one,

Here is a link to a good 4 stage polishing cycle (RTH of course )

www.rocktumblinghobby.com/cycle/cycle.html

As for Tumblers the Rock shed has a good variety of both types here is a link to them

www.therockshed.com/tumbler1.html

This will give you some Idea of the variety and cost of machines

Hope this is of some assistance

Have a good day

Jack
Yorkshire UK
PS
Dont under estimate Johnjsgems words . [glow=red,2,300]As the disease progresses !![/glow] Its very adictive !!

Yes the disease does spread quickly. I started out with a double barrel 3# Lortone last September. Now I have two double barrel 3# Lortones and am considering if a single 6# might not help out the cause. That being said I think the best prices I found for the tumblers was the Rock Shed which is where I have bought them from. Also get my grit there. If you order grit when you are buying the tumbler they even give you a discount. I would get 5# of the course.

Thanks for all the info. ;D it is very helpful
Looks like I have quite a lot to study before I make the purchases I need.