Equipment selection for wife and daughter (maybe myself)
Dec 13, 2021 18:59:12 GMT -5
catskillrocks and perkins17 like this
Post by richardw on Dec 13, 2021 18:59:12 GMT -5
I know very little about rock polishing and have just been doing some research and reading online. I came across this forum, and there seem to be a lot of knowledgeable people here. I am finding that very little in the way of rock tumblers and vibratory tumblers are available anywhere. My wife says that she is very interested in rock polishing equipment for Christmas. My daughter makes jewelry, and they both have collected a lot of rocks on a few family trips we have taken. They are both interested in rock polishing. I am somewhat of a perfectionist myself and like to choose the best equipment for a job, which does not always mean having to have the most expensive. I would like good value for the money and also equipment that will provide the most utility. Some of the rocks that my wife and daughter have collected are a little larger - maybe 2" to 4" in size.
I have read about the Harbor Freight equipment which provide people with mixed results, but it seems that most people have good luck with the rotary and vibratory equipment if used properly. However, none of this is available around me. I would prefer to have equipment I could return or exchange in town, if possible. There is very little used equipment available locally or online, also.
I would like to receive recommendations on equipment to use for polishing stones for jewelry, as well as larger stones. For example, could I use a Thumler Model B to do the rough polish on stones ranging from jewlery size to larger stones from river beds or the beach, etc.? Then, use a vibratory tumbler to do the polishing of any of these size stones, as well? I was able to pick up a Chicago Electric 18 Lb. Metal Vibratory Tumbler before they ran out and as a last resort. I see that people say they do not hold up well to rough stone polishing, but could work well for doing the final polishing steps.
Is it best to do rotary tumbling for the rough polishing steps and then use a vibratory tumbler?
If a vibratory tumbler is best, I could look at purchasing one of the Thumler industrial vibratory tumblers.
I would prefer to look at getting the right equipment vs probably spending more time and money messing around with other options.
Your valuable help is greatly appreciated!
I have read about the Harbor Freight equipment which provide people with mixed results, but it seems that most people have good luck with the rotary and vibratory equipment if used properly. However, none of this is available around me. I would prefer to have equipment I could return or exchange in town, if possible. There is very little used equipment available locally or online, also.
I would like to receive recommendations on equipment to use for polishing stones for jewelry, as well as larger stones. For example, could I use a Thumler Model B to do the rough polish on stones ranging from jewlery size to larger stones from river beds or the beach, etc.? Then, use a vibratory tumbler to do the polishing of any of these size stones, as well? I was able to pick up a Chicago Electric 18 Lb. Metal Vibratory Tumbler before they ran out and as a last resort. I see that people say they do not hold up well to rough stone polishing, but could work well for doing the final polishing steps.
Is it best to do rotary tumbling for the rough polishing steps and then use a vibratory tumbler?
If a vibratory tumbler is best, I could look at purchasing one of the Thumler industrial vibratory tumblers.
I would prefer to look at getting the right equipment vs probably spending more time and money messing around with other options.
Your valuable help is greatly appreciated!