Gabriel_GER
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2022
Posts: 229
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Post by Gabriel_GER on May 20, 2022 14:06:13 GMT -5
Hi there and huge thanks in advance for the feedback!
Today my Lortone 33b Rotary Tumbler arrived.
I plan to use it for the coarse stage.
Now I have to make an important decision on how to proceed,
as I am living in Germany and my options for which machines to get are somewhat limited.
OPT1: Made in Germany, quiet and well built. That leaves me with but one Issue: It is made for 3.5l (volume) or up to almost 10lb (weight) of stones.
Way too much for my Lortone 33b Rotary Tumbler (2 x 3lb). So if I go with this option I get an additional Rotary Tumbler like the Lortone QT6 (or even QT66 as the price difference is almost nonexistent) to constantly "produce enough material". One further advantage would be that I can process bigger stones in this Vibratory Tumbler, so the Lortone QT6 (or QT66) might be a really nice fit there. Cost: 400 EUR for the Vibratory Tumbler and another
135 EUR for an extra "bowl" that's only used for the polish stage and
400 EUR for the Lortone QT6 (or QT66)
OPT2: I buy this Vibratory TumblerIt is a RAYTECH TV-5 Tumbler. I should always get enough material out of my Lortone 33b Rotary Tumbler to keep this one busy. Cost: 130 EUR up to 230 EUR, depending on availability. There are HUGE price ranges for niche stuff like this... 60 EUR for an extra "bowl" that's only used for the polish stage
So I am thorn there... I can afford Option 1 just fine but is it an overkill to get started?
Does anyone have good (or even more important!) bad experiences with either Vibratory Tumbler? That might eliminate one or the other Option right there. I could get this Vibratory Tumbler (RAYTECH Tumble-Vibe 10) as an alternative to Option 1. Bit smaller but also needs more material than one Lortone 33b can produce - I guess.
As you can see ladies and gentleman: I am confused and need help.
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Post by jasoninsd on May 20, 2022 15:49:13 GMT -5
I have a Thumler Model B rotary and a Thumler UV-18 vibe tumbler. The 15-pound barrel on the rotary can NOT produce enough material to consistently keep the vibe running. Not even close. I like the fact I can tumble larger rocks in both (which is why I chose those two)...but if you're looking to have both machines constantly running, the vibe should definitely be smaller than the capacity on the rotary...OR...get the additional rotary tumblers to try and keep the larger vibe constantly fed...
Just my experience...
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Post by Starguy on May 20, 2022 16:13:26 GMT -5
Gabriel_GERI run two Lortone QT-12 tumblers and a Lortone 33B. The 12 pound tumblers only run coarse grit. They still don’t keep up with the 33B which runs everything else. I’m pretty selective about which stones move on to fine grit. I hope that helps you decide. Welcome to RTH.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,881
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Post by Tommy on May 20, 2022 22:03:37 GMT -5
I love Germany! I don't mean to confuse you further but I don't want to overlook the fact that your Lortone 33b can complete a load of beautifully polished rocks from start to finish - just takes a bit longer is all. Having a vibe to finish a load in is nice but maybe get a load or two completed in the rotary just so you get the full experience with it?
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Post by manofglass on May 20, 2022 22:06:55 GMT -5
I love Germany! I don't mean to confuse you further but I don't want to overlook the fact that your Lortone 33b can complete a load of beautifully polished rocks from start to finish - just takes a bit longer is all. Having a vibe to finish a load in is nice but maybe get a load or two completed in the rotary just so you get the full experience with it? Ya but where is the fun in that vibe is much faster
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Gabriel_GER
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2022
Posts: 229
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Post by Gabriel_GER on May 21, 2022 8:29:56 GMT -5
I love Germany! I don't mean to confuse you further but I don't want to overlook the fact that your Lortone 33b can complete a load of beautifully polished rocks from start to finish - just takes a bit longer is all. Having a vibe to finish a load in is nice but maybe get a load or two completed in the rotary just so you get the full experience with it? ... so happy to provide some amusement.
... warte, warte nur ein Weilchen, dann komm ich mit dem Hackebeilchen.
...
Yea, German has it's very own, special... quality?
No confusion created. I am well aware of that. Just that a Vibratory Tumbler is - at least from what I heard - SO much faster. So the plan would be to have coarse done in the rotary, move the ready material into the vibratory and finish the remaining stages there in basically the same time as the next coarse run takes in the rotary - if that makes any sense.
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Gabriel_GER
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2022
Posts: 229
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Post by Gabriel_GER on May 21, 2022 8:40:03 GMT -5
I have a Thumler Model B rotary and a Thumler UV-18 vibe tumbler. The 15-pound barrel on the rotary can NOT produce enough material to consistently keep the vibe running. Not even close. I like the fact I can tumble larger rocks in both (which is why I chose those two)...but if you're looking to have both machines constantly running, the vibe should definitely be smaller than the capacity on the rotary...OR...get the additional rotary tumblers to try and keep the larger vibe constantly fed... Just my experience... Thanks a lot for your feedback. I think I need to clarify: My goal is NOT to keep the Vibratory Tumbler constantly busy. It`s just - from what I understand - that the Vibratory Tumbler is supposed to be run quite full to operate well. If I can not nearly produce enough material for stages 2-polish in the Lortone 33b... then do I run the Vibratory Tumbler barely at half capacity? Would that even work? God I hope my rambling gets at least somewhat across what I mean.
Again: Thanks so much for all the help!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on May 21, 2022 9:35:05 GMT -5
I have a Thumler Model B rotary and a Thumler UV-18 vibe tumbler. The 15-pound barrel on the rotary can NOT produce enough material to consistently keep the vibe running. Not even close. I like the fact I can tumble larger rocks in both (which is why I chose those two)...but if you're looking to have both machines constantly running, the vibe should definitely be smaller than the capacity on the rotary...OR...get the additional rotary tumblers to try and keep the larger vibe constantly fed... Just my experience... Thanks a lot for your feedback. I think I need to clarify: My goal is NOT to keep the Vibratory Tumbler constantly busy. It`s just - from what I understand - that the Vibratory Tumbler is supposed to be run quite full to operate well. If I can not nearly produce enough material for stages 2-polish in the Lortone 33b... then do I run the Vibratory Tumbler barely at half capacity? Would that even work? God I hope my rambling gets at least somewhat across what I mean.
Again: Thanks so much for all the help!
I don't tumble, but I have read hundreds, if not thousands, of tumbling posts on here so take it with a grain of salt. From what I understand, you can use some type of filler to get the vibe to the correct capacity. Lots of folks on the board use landscaping gravel from the Big Box stores or fishtank granvel for that purpose because it's cheap and it works well. I think the landscaping gravel has to go through the rough tumble first to smooth it out, but I might be wrong on that. Someone here will correct me.
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Post by jasoninsd on May 21, 2022 9:56:56 GMT -5
I have a Thumler Model B rotary and a Thumler UV-18 vibe tumbler. The 15-pound barrel on the rotary can NOT produce enough material to consistently keep the vibe running. Not even close. I like the fact I can tumble larger rocks in both (which is why I chose those two)...but if you're looking to have both machines constantly running, the vibe should definitely be smaller than the capacity on the rotary...OR...get the additional rotary tumblers to try and keep the larger vibe constantly fed... Just my experience... Thanks a lot for your feedback. I think I need to clarify: My goal is NOT to keep the Vibratory Tumbler constantly busy. It`s just - from what I understand - that the Vibratory Tumbler is supposed to be run quite full to operate well. If I can not nearly produce enough material for stages 2-polish in the Lortone 33b... then do I run the Vibratory Tumbler barely at half capacity? Would that even work? God I hope my rambling gets at least somewhat across what I mean.
Again: Thanks so much for all the help!
Yep. Running it at half capacity will work...but I believe Robin was correct about needing some filler. I just ran a half batch of obsidian in the vibe and had the other half filled with ceramics (filler).
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Post by parfive on May 21, 2022 12:39:47 GMT -5
Surprising how many can run rocks in coarse for three months and more to shape ‘em and can’t sit still for a week in 500 and a week or two in polish.
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nursetumbler
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2022
Posts: 981
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Post by nursetumbler on May 21, 2022 16:51:15 GMT -5
I love Germany! I don't mean to confuse you further but I don't want to overlook the fact that your Lortone 33b can complete a load of beautifully polished rocks from start to finish - just takes a bit longer is all. Having a vibe to finish a load in is nice but maybe get a load or two completed in the rotary just so you get the full experience with it? ... so happy to provide some amusement.
... warte, warte nur ein Weilchen, dann komm ich mit dem Hackebeilchen.
...
Yea, German has it's very own, special... quality?
No confusion created. I am well aware of that. Just that a Vibratory Tumbler is - at least from what I heard - SO much faster. So the plan would be to have coarse done in the rotary, move the ready material into the vibratory and finish the remaining stages there in basically the same time as the next coarse run takes in the rotary - if that makes any sense.
Gabriel_GERI've had brazillian agate in since Jan24th and it just went into 500 AO last week. Ocean jasper has been in coarse now 3 weeks. I am not a perfectionist about shape but I try to at least have most of the divots out just so they dont collect the polish. Had orchid calcite in polish with dry corn cob for 3 weeks to coax a shine onto it that's after tumbling it wet with polish and getting a satin shine. Just like people no two rocks are the same.
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Post by rmf on May 22, 2022 4:10:18 GMT -5
I have used neither vibe tumbler. After looking at the images, (don't speak German) I would recommend the local German made tumbler. The bowl is thicker and they do ware out.
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Post by Peruano on May 22, 2022 6:48:34 GMT -5
I'd suggest the Raytech (smaller vibe) because: 1. Its smaller. I have the Raytech and a couple of even smaller vibes and appreciate not having to scramble to get enough rocks together to make a larger load than I have ready to process. Why process rocks you don't want when you really need to run the rocks you have at hand and ready to go. I process preforms, slabs, and preselected beach cobble etc in the vibe and hence using any old filler is a waste of my vibe effort when my primary load is too small. Vibes that are not adequately loaded are violent and hard on rocks and bowls. 2. Its cheaper. And the replacement bowl is less expensive. 3. The Raytech is sturdy. I've had mine for years, it has run many loads, and served me well. You can always supplement your workshop with a bigger machine later when You have the experience and need for a bigger machine but you will benefit greatly from the Raytech in the beginning. The only consideration might be: Do you want to process "big" rocks that would fit in one but not the other and is that your primary intention?
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on May 22, 2022 10:46:11 GMT -5
I don't currently have a vibe. But my goal with my rotaries was to always have something in every stage. The theory was to produce a finished batch every other week. So right now I am ALMOST at my goal. I have an AR12 and a Model B running course all the time. Then I have 2 AR-2 and a Model T running all the other stages. Doing the math I have to grind 27 Lbs of rock just to produce enough every 2 weeks for the 3 lb barrel. I just started the Model B a month ago so it usually takes me 6 to 8 weeks to get a good flow coming out. I would say invest in the better machine and learn a lot of patience lol/ I pic of my set up:
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Gabriel_GER
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2022
Posts: 229
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Post by Gabriel_GER on May 22, 2022 12:08:40 GMT -5
Everyone: THANKS SO MUCH for all the great and knowledgeable feedback!
Decisions are made and im gonna make a few purchases tonight.
I'll take some pics when everything is set up ... and than you can all tell me what I am missing.
Looking forward so much to starting my very first batch!
... gotta visit some beautiful spots in the coming week to get get some more material.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on May 22, 2022 16:21:40 GMT -5
Everyone: THANKS SO MUCH for all the great and knowledgeable feedback!
Decisions are made and im gonna make a few purchases tonight.
I'll take some pics when everything is set up ... and than you can all tell me what I am missing.
Looking forward so much to starting my very first batch!
... gotta visit some beautiful spots in the coming week to get get some more material.
Gabriel_GER take pictures of when you go out hounding, too! I'm sure we'd all love to see pictures of the spots in Germany where you find your rocks. Thanks!
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Gabriel_GER
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2022
Posts: 229
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Post by Gabriel_GER on May 23, 2022 14:14:52 GMT -5
Everyone: THANKS SO MUCH for all the great and knowledgeable feedback!
Decisions are made and im gonna make a few purchases tonight.
I'll take some pics when everything is set up ... and than you can all tell me what I am missing.
Looking forward so much to starting my very first batch!
... gotta visit some beautiful spots in the coming week to get get some more material.
Gabriel_GER take pictures of when you go out hounding, too! I'm sure we'd all love to see pictures of the spots in Germany where you find your rocks. Thanks! Will do! Got first shipping notifications today... SO EXCITED!
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,071
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Post by dshanpnw on May 23, 2022 18:22:53 GMT -5
Hi Gabriel_GER, welcome to the forum. Whichever vibe you chose I think you can make it work just fine. If you do not have enough rocks to fill the vibe use filler as many have mentioned, ceramic media works well. I load my 10 pound vibe about half filler and half rocks. I never go with just rocks on the vibe, never. It sounds like you're on the right track for sure. Good luck and please do post some photos later.
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Gabriel_GER
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2022
Posts: 229
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Post by Gabriel_GER on May 26, 2022 12:24:41 GMT -5
So... Stuff arrived. By far not all, but everything I need to start with the coarse stage in the rotary and smoothing new ceramic media in the vibratory. Noise level is really good. If I close the kitchen door I can barely hear the tumblers running. Lets see how it is at night... but I have another door to close. Went out to drive my mom to a nice litte restaurant in the countryside. ... and found some stones. Pics below - if everything works. God I'm sooo curious now! Thanks everyone for getting me this far!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2022 15:22:39 GMT -5
I see no pictures only little boxes. Anyone else having the same issue? Or just me?
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