tropidale
starting to shine!
Member since October 2016
Posts: 46
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Post by tropidale on Dec 5, 2016 23:24:01 GMT -5
Thanks, Rich. I took a look at the Gy-Roc as well but it was pushing my budget a bit too much. Truth is, my original plan was a $100 rotary so I am already well beyond that and still have the grit etc to add to the list. Thanks again for your input.
Dale
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tropidale
starting to shine!
Member since October 2016
Posts: 46
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Post by tropidale on Dec 5, 2016 19:00:05 GMT -5
Hi all, I am planning to buy a vibe tumbler to finish my cabbing preforms, mainly the polishing, and I have some questions. The choice is between the Thumler Ultra vibe 10 MB and the Lot-O. I hear rave reviews about the shine from the Lot-O but am put off by the unportability once it is glued to a cinder block, as well as the need to fill a depression in the bottom of the bowl with glue. Also, it seems that there is a larger company behind the Thumlers than the Lot-O from a quality control and customer service perspective. I am a little spoiled being a professional buyer for a large company. We're a fussy lot.... So I am leaning toward the Thumler. Will it also give a great shine, or is the Lot-O significantly better? I love shiny things, but if they are both reasonable similar in results, I'd go for the Thumler. Anybody have a strong case for Lot-O over Thumler? (or "Thumper" as my spell check keeps insisting..... .....) Thanks for any advice. Dale
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tropidale
starting to shine!
Member since October 2016
Posts: 46
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Post by tropidale on Oct 17, 2016 19:34:57 GMT -5
Thanks, GR!
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tropidale
starting to shine!
Member since October 2016
Posts: 46
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Post by tropidale on Oct 17, 2016 18:51:22 GMT -5
Thanks, Chuck. I am a little uneasy with what I read about the extra monitoring needed and the seeming fussiness of the process for vibratory. Is it correct that you have to check it hourly or did I read that wrong? I would like to sleep at night.. LOL. Does the Lot-O also have to be anchored to something heavy? What is the cement block thing all about? I was hoping to be smallish and portable. Is there greater wear on the bowl since it appears to be plastic? What makes the vibratory superior beyond speed and less grit needed? Is it a much better polish? While the efficiency certainly is appealing, I guess it's pretty obvious that I was expecting to get reassurance that the 3 lb Lortone would meet my needs for trying this new hobby..... This is something new to think about..
Thanks again for your comments!
Dale
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tropidale
starting to shine!
Member since October 2016
Posts: 46
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Post by tropidale on Oct 17, 2016 11:57:56 GMT -5
Hi all,
To my surprise, I am brand new to tumbling, after attending a Rock and Gem show this weekend. I was admiring some gorgeous cabs at a booth, and the maker indicated that all of the smoothing and polishing was done in a tumbler using preforms. I had no idea! I thought that all you got from a tumbler was round rocks. These cabs were way shinier than what I have done on my cabbing equipment, except for softer stuff like Fluorite and Sodalite. Now, I am thinking I want a small tumbler for the modest amount of cabbing that I do.
So after quite a bit of reading, I am a little unsure of what type and size tumbler to invest in- rotating or vibe. If I go with rotating would I simply shorten the coarse grit or skip it to preserve my shapes? Or would a vibe be better? I don't "think" I am interested in round rocks, but you never know so I am not sure I want to limit myself. I would be happy with the rotating, as long as I can preserve the shapes that I have precut.
Second question is the size. I don't expect my volume to be very high. Maybe up to 5-15 cabs at a time. But, the 3 lb and 1.5 lb cannister dimensions seem really small. Can anyone tell me about how many cabs can comfortably be done at once in each size, with a range 1-2 inches square and up to 1/4 inch thick in preform size at most?
I will probably go with the recommended Lortone or Diamond something to make sure I have a good quality machine that won't die in 6 months. But would like to keep the whole investment under or near $200, if possible. I understand that a dedicated barrel for at least polishing is wise and there is also the grit and who knows what else to buy within that $200 budget. So I am happy to consider other quality brands. But I think I will avoid Harbor Freight on this purchase. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Dale
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