eden
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2013
Posts: 3
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Post by eden on Aug 4, 2013 16:52:48 GMT -5
This is my first time visiting this site, and it was impressive enough to make me want to join you fellow inspirational rock hounders and handlers. My work with stone has progressed to the point where I would like to get into shaping and polishing. After reading all 10 pages of the vibe tumbler section, I think I can rule out buying a vibe machine from Harbor Freight, Raytec, or Chicago vibe. The overall consensus seems to like Thumlers or Lot-o. I am focused on jewelry making at this point, so can someone suggest the capacity vibe I should look for? I also plan on getting a tumbler for shaping. Suggestions on that brand and capacity would be great as well. I'm assuming that whatever machines I get there will be extra bowls to buy no mater what? Thanks for your help.
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Post by connrock on Aug 5, 2013 16:14:29 GMT -5
Welcome eden,, Choosing a vibe unit may depend on the capacity you need to do what you want to do. Both Thumler's and the Lot-O-Tumbler are great units and each has it's "up's and downs". If you're looking for a large capacity unit then Thumler's is the choice for you. If you're looking for a smaller capacity unit then the Lot-O-Tumbler is what you want.
They have totally different designs but both work well and if treated right either brand will last for years and years to come.
The smallest Thumler's(UV-10) will hold about 10lbs of rocks AND THE uv-18 ,,18 Lbs of rocks and so on. The lOT-O-Tumbler has A 4-1/2 LB capacity and that's that!No other models except the 2 barrel unit which would double the amount you can do at one time,,,However,,,You can't run 1 unit at a time with the double barrel unit without taking a chance of breaking springs.
You say you make jewelery.Is your jewelery made completely of rocks or do you also make sterling silver and or gold jewelery? I ask because a vibe is used at times to polish and work harden jewelery and some of their components as well.
This may not be of much help to you but we have to start somewhere???
connrock
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eden
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2013
Posts: 3
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Post by eden on Aug 6, 2013 20:24:42 GMT -5
Thank you so much for getting back to me. I'm so hoping this site will help us achieve our goals. Thanks again for all the information that I have acquired from reading the posts. My history with stone has revolved around painting them, so this is a leap for me to start making jewelry. I recently became a single mother of three and I've been trying to come up with some ideas of things I can do to earn money but involve my kids as well. My 13 year old suggested jewelry, and my 15 and 10 year old agreed that would be pretty cool to try to do. I took a wire wrap class and so far we have made a trip to the beach, 2 hours away, 3 times to collect rocks and sea glass. We have had a ball collecting things we think would make for interesting jewelry. Our next step is organizing the downstairs into a production area--none of us are jumping at that chore, lol. We are hoping to be in full creation mode by the end of August, which includes a vibe and a tumbler. We may not get this business off the ground, or even produce an item that is wear worthy, but we shall give it our all and have fun trying.
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Post by connrock on Aug 7, 2013 7:46:26 GMT -5
That's great that you're involving your kids in this venture. With 4 sets of eyes and (probably) 4 different opinions on how to do things and what the end product(s) should be is truly a business minded venture! I've made only 1 piece of jewelery out of sea glass for a friend to give to his gal.He sent is to CT from MI,,I made the piece and sent it back to him! LOL The piece was worth more in postage then material! LOL Very simple yet I think it's pretty. I don't fair well at wire wrapping and really envy those who can do it well.It's an art in itself and the imagination of each artist defines each piece! I wish you all the luck in the world and hope things go well for you and the kids! connrock
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eden
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2013
Posts: 3
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Post by eden on Aug 9, 2013 9:51:22 GMT -5
Your 'one' piece is gorgeous, and you fair quite well with wrapping. My wrapping is a work in progress, but I observe a lot and do a bunch of research so hopefully I can make some salable items pretty quickly.
My kids and I got the idea to start this venture out of necessity, but also to kill two birds with one stone. I'm a writer, don't get too excited, only sold one short story, but I have a novel I completed and now I'm trying to build a writers platform for. It's young adult fantasy fiction and there are several items within my novel that I've always envisioned recreating. So my thought was to start creating these items from my book and selling them, therefore generating a little foreknowledge of my future publication. It's a long shot, but I'm game to try anything at this point. Wish me luck.
Look forward to reading future posts from everyone.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2013 18:19:24 GMT -5
eden, welcome to the website. You are amongst giants here. I learn every day from every one of them. Enjoy!
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Post by connrock on Aug 10, 2013 7:35:36 GMT -5
eden,, You sure have a full plate! I've often thought of writing about all sorts of things but don't have a clue how to even get started at it! LOL I can write "factual" things like instructions pretty good but other then that I'm sunk!
Like Shotgunner said,,,You're among giants here" and I think if you can't learn from allllllllll the great people we have here,,,,you better try something else! I've seen people go from knowing absolutely nothing about one or more of the subjects covered here to doing fantastic work in no time flat!
I wish you all the luck in the world with you rocks and your writing! connrock
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