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Post by joshuamcduffie on Apr 2, 2020 17:07:02 GMT -5
So right before this whole Coronavirus lockdown, RickB and I met up and he blessed me with wisdom, friendship, and some lapidary equipment. Chiefly, a Thumler’s UV-18. I’d been wanting a vibratory tumbler for a while, but hadn’t pulled the trigger, and Rick offered me one at the exact right time! Ok, any time is the right time to offer me lapidary equipment. I’m a sucker for a deal. I spent a few minutes and about $50 replacing the GFCI outlets on my deck, and now I’m running the Thumler out back. I’m still getting the knack of it, but here’s a few shots and my first ever YouTube videos of the UV-18 in action. contents of the UV-18, prior to loading. The contents after loading, along with some ceramics. my YouTube premier: and a closeup of the action. Hopefully I have the moisture level right. Any critiques? Questions?
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Post by RocksInNJ on Apr 2, 2020 18:01:57 GMT -5
Wow congratulations on both the UV-18 and for getting the action so slow. My UV-10 is like twice as fast If not more and I have to use a lot more ceramics and a lot of sugar.
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Post by RickB on Apr 2, 2020 18:44:51 GMT -5
Joshua, it's great to see you have it rolling. Will follow this thread to see the progress.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Apr 3, 2020 8:18:16 GMT -5
Rock on Joshua Rick
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Post by joshuamcduffie on Apr 3, 2020 21:47:17 GMT -5
Loving this thing so far. Cleaned out, moved to 500 SiC. It’s going to keep me busy. Pics on Sunday, hopefully.
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Post by joshuamcduffie on Apr 4, 2020 10:57:40 GMT -5
Still humming along! Cleaned up the center post, washers and wing nuts with some PB Blaster and then lubed it with some fancy oil.
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Post by knave on Apr 4, 2020 11:12:30 GMT -5
That’s a lot of vibe!
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Post by joshuamcduffie on Apr 4, 2020 12:20:46 GMT -5
I’m going to need to keep both barrels turning just to keep it fed, I think. Ordered a LRFB from here, and more grit and polish from KN yesterday. Still waiting on my JBLC order to ship.
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Apr 4, 2020 13:45:44 GMT -5
I'm a fan of the Thumlers Ultra Vibe-18. Mine is used for the final polishing steps for rocks coming out of my two Thumlers Model B (15 lb). I use a piece of plastic tarp cut about 2 " bigger than the size of the top of the bowl. I cut a hole in the middle of it and it goes over the bowl before screwing the top down. This keeps anything from leaking out the side of the lid and helps keep the lid clean. When finishing the step 3 pre-polish I give the rocks a good washing and then give them and the tumbler a 15 min super wash. You want to get every bit of the old polish off the rocks and tumbler before going on to the final polish. I keep a close eye on the UV-18 and check the slurry to be sure it is the right consistency This is the most important and hardest thing for me to do when using a vib tumbler. You can often tweak the amount of polish used to less than the instructions say and still get a great polish. Some users I know use two bowls. One for stage 2 and 3 and one for the final polish. This eliminates any contamination when polishing, I'm anxious to see how your rocks come out. rocktumbler.com/vibratory.shtml
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Post by RocksInNJ on Apr 5, 2020 1:59:04 GMT -5
I wrap the lid of my UV-10 in cling wrap to keep it clean.
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victor1941
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2011
Posts: 1,975
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Post by victor1941 on Apr 5, 2020 9:55:08 GMT -5
I also run a UV-18 with good results but have had excessive grit erosion and rust on the center post. Do any of you have a recommendation besides cleaning and oiling between grit changes?
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Post by joshuamcduffie on Apr 5, 2020 17:34:44 GMT -5
I also run a UV-18 with good results but have had excessive grit erosion and rust on the center post. Do any of you have a recommendation besides cleaning and oiling between grit changes? My grit doesn’t get up to the metal on the center post. Are you overfilling it?
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Post by joshuamcduffie on Apr 5, 2020 17:36:04 GMT -5
Here’s today’s update. Cleaned out and went into polish.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 5, 2020 19:08:34 GMT -5
Looking forward to seeing the shine!
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Post by joshuamcduffie on Apr 6, 2020 19:36:29 GMT -5
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Post by RocksInNJ on Apr 6, 2020 19:43:39 GMT -5
Congrats on the tumble and good luck keeping up with the vibe. It’s a very hungry beast.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 6, 2020 20:30:13 GMT -5
Looking good, Joshua! I want to see the individual pic of that Bloodstone.
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Apr 7, 2020 8:17:59 GMT -5
I also run a UV-18 with good results but have had excessive grit erosion and rust on the center post. Do any of you have a recommendation besides cleaning and oiling between grit changes? No I don't think you can ignore cleaning and oiling. It would be nice if TT used a better grade of some stainless steels on the center posts of their vibratory tumblers. I think they are still in the Rotary tumbler frame of mind, not the vibratory tumbler. I always wipe everything down and clean it between rounds of tumbling steps. These tumblers cost enough that I just can't understand not taking good care of them. I like your use of a nice bunch of ceramic media. I always use it in my Vib.
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Post by RickB on Apr 7, 2020 8:59:24 GMT -5
Well done sir.
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victor1941
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2011
Posts: 1,975
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Post by victor1941 on Apr 7, 2020 17:28:42 GMT -5
Garorflash1, I fill my vibe to the top of the center island with usually 1/2 ceramics and preform cabs. This mix usually includes some large display pieces that do touch the top and also the center post during the cycle because of random motion. Oiling and cleaning (wire brush) definitely help but does not stop the rust because the post is not stainless as you mentioned.
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