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Post by washingtonrocks on Feb 13, 2015 10:36:22 GMT -5
Found this on Craigslist and I'm considering pulling the trigger. seattle.craigslist.org/est/art/4862893420.htmlDo any of you have experience with a Mini Sonic? Does this sound like a good deal? I already own a UV-10, but thought this might be useful for finishing up cabs. any advice, pros/cons, personal experience with this type of vibe would be much appreciated.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,563
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Post by jamesp on Feb 13, 2015 11:02:29 GMT -5
I think gemfeller has one of those. I think those are rated for SiC 90 grit which is a good thing.
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Post by washingtonrocks on Feb 13, 2015 11:20:12 GMT -5
The barrels look tiny. I tend to make over-sized cabs and am wondering if this could accommodate them. The extra barrels and Vibra-Dry polishes makes this seem like a worthwhile purchase, but I'm wondering if I'd really be saving that much over buying new. Purchasing anything used always makes me a little apprehensive. I'd definitely be interested in hearing gemfeller's thoughts.
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Post by deb193redux on Feb 13, 2015 11:25:08 GMT -5
I have one. I like the variable motion control. The hopper holds about 4lbs. (I would not describe it as "large", but it compares to Lot-O). The hoppers will not wear out.
The vibra dry is interesting stuff. I got some used a while back but never got around to playing with it. Imaging tumbling w/o the mess! - It was reformulated at one point so it is better if it is only a few years old.
3 hoppers seems excessive. One separate for polish should do the trick. You might sell the 3rd one.
The price is in line with what this stuff costs new, but it is high for what a hobbyist pays for a small tumbler. (Compare to a new Lot-O).
You have to decide about the $275. I would be more happy with $225.
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Post by washingtonrocks on Feb 13, 2015 11:34:04 GMT -5
Weird, the hopper doesn't look like it can hold 4lbs from the pictures. I appreciate the input. I was pricing them new and it does seem like he's pretty much trying to get the same out of it as what he put into it as far as price. Maybe I can talk him down a little. The Vibra-Dry intrigues me. Thanks again.
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Post by washingtonrocks on Feb 13, 2015 11:51:39 GMT -5
deb193redux, is the rough to media ratio the same as any other vibe? Would you say the time needed between grit stages is similar?
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Post by deb193redux on Feb 13, 2015 11:59:43 GMT -5
I've used Lot-O, Gy-Roc, and Mini Sonic. The Gy-Roc was faster, but all were close. The advantage here is the variable speed to slow down in later stages. Also, unlike Gy-Roc and UV-10, it is not a ring. So like Lot-O a larger piece could be put in.
He is trying to get good value for the supplies. Often those are thrown in with a used machine.
But, when these units come up on ebay, they do not last long.
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Post by deb193redux on Feb 13, 2015 12:02:01 GMT -5
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Post by washingtonrocks on Feb 13, 2015 12:02:03 GMT -5
Very helpful. Thank you.
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Post by washingtonrocks on Feb 13, 2015 17:13:57 GMT -5
deb193redux, so I took your advice and offered her $225. She said she'd sell it to me for that price, minus the two extra hoppers. The only difference between buying this versus a new one would be the extra grits and polishes. Struggling to make a decision right now. She's only 10 minutes away so I could get my impatient, grubby paws on it and start using it tonight which is tempting...
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2015 18:29:21 GMT -5
Greetings [washingtonrocks] New 4lb hoppers with lid cost $59.00 in Diamond Pacifics 2014 Catalog.pdf, John at JSGems johnjsgems should get you a discount. The MT45 is the old original machine, but is equivalent to Diamond Pacifics MT4. I would offer $190 for the lot, 30% of an MT4 ($283) = $85 with original hopper, $80 for new hoppers, $25 for grits and polishes. Every couple of years you need to purchase a tune-up kit costing $49.25. Please check out my Sticky's below. -- Please click images to open larger images in a new Tab, same with everything that is Underlined! I currently have a 3lb Beach (UK), Lortone QT 12/66 (USA) rotaries & 2x Viking Vibrasonic (Diamond Pacific) (USA) virbrating tumblers, with Silicon Carbide grit F80, F220, F600, F1200, with Tin Oxide (1.0 micron) & Aluminum Oxide (1.0 micron & 0.3 micron) polishes. I hail from (The Barony of Seabegs) Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, U.K, where aliens (15mb) sometimes come for a visit & about 4 miles west from that monstrosity & 7 miles west of this new monstrosity! Sticky's: their contents are resource information 1#: Vendors worldwide (2mb), 2#: How to use the forum, 3#: How to identify rocks & minerals, 4#: Save money on expensive grits & polishes, 5#: Aussie Lapidary Forum: Rock Tumbling Guide!
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,024
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 13, 2015 19:02:20 GMT -5
I think the pros and cons for this machine have been pretty well covered already. I've run the twin-hopper Mini-Sonic MT-10S model for many years of light use. I have 4 hoppers, each with a designated grit including pre-polish and polish. That may be overkill according to some but I'm very happy with the results I get. Like most other lapidary equipment the choice of tumbler type depends entirely on what you wish to accomplish. In my case the main use is "windowing" crystals like amethyst and garnet so I can see inclusions and color variations before orienting stones for faceting. It's a perfect choice for that job and it gets it done in about 4 days on average.
I also use it occasionally to tumble-finish cabochons and its gentle vibrating/tumbling variable speed action works extremely well for me. I can put beautiful finishes on stones with very delicate points and other fragile shapes with no damage. It can leave crisp edges with little or no rounding. I use my machine for gems no softer than Mohs 6.5 or so -- garnets and quartzes mainly -- and have no experience with the dry polishes or tumbling softer stones. If your aim is to tumble blocky, hammered rough I'd suggest using a rotary machine to round edges and pre-shape the stones before using the vibe. While they're much slower they do the rounding work much better than the Mini-Sonic and that's the combination I've used in the past. But once the shaping is done, nothing beats the speed and polish quality of a Mini-Sonic in my opinion.
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