In this video I talk about and generally show how I use a Mini sonic tumbler to do all the sanding and polishing stages for my cabochons. www.freeformcabs.com
Is this the 4# model...and do you run a first stage in coarse grit through a rotary tumbler first...or go immediately to a 2nd stage tumble? Would like to get a sonic, but don't know much about them.
Thanks for the video and tips. I've been thinking of getting one for polishing guitar picks and preformed cabs. Do you think this one and the lot o tumbler polish up in the same amount of time?
I do think a lot-O would be about the same time. What is different about these is the shape of a barrel. But both produce the same type of rotating action. Unlike other burnishing style bench top vibrating units.
I had a lot-o when i first started lapidary in the early 90’s. But i didn’t use it to tumble cabs. However it work the same and I suspect it would tumble cabs fine. The DP barrel is their patent shape. The tumble is perfect and as long as you load it properly you can slow the tumble way down to a creep for soft material. Or speed it up for faster results on hard material.
@@ShainMayer awesome. That helps. I have a Gy-roc currently and honestly it does the job but is just a pain to monitor and work with. I appreciate you messaging me back.
@@maureenmiller2746 i feel the mini sonic is less noise than the lot-o but Ive never compared them directly. The lid on the MS can become loose which raises the sound. Use rubber tack to get a tighter fit on the lid which reduces sound greatly.
When you do your stones what wheel do you take them to before you tumble them. From what I got from video you start with the 1000. And go up from there
The process is shaped by hand on 80 then 220 wheels. Then tumbled at 400 for 2-3 days, then i recut the griddles on 220 wheel. Then tumble 600 snd 1000 for 2-3 days each. Then burnished at 14,000, 25,000, and 50,000 for a couples days each before going into a polish stage.
@@oxygenman76 The polishing stage has its own dedicated hopper for polishing only. I use the same type of media as a buffer and normally polish for 2-4 days. Keep in mind to always testing the material you plan to tumble by trying a full cut and polish by hand method. Softer stones don't work as well and in some cases not at all with this method.
Hi Phil, like all tumblers they are not quite. However mine has only ever made the typical vibration hum. I would assume there may be something loose on yours. Have you tried just running it without a barrel attached? Just to see if it makes the noise you describe.
@@ShainMayer Good morning, thanks for your reply, I removed the top hood cover and the rattle is coming from the steel (vibration) plate bottoming out on top of the square ( vibration motor ?) . I figure this steel plate might need to be flared out a minuscule amount to clear the vibration unit..will pull apart today and have a look..at the moment, I have slid a piece of thin cardboard between the steel plate and the vibe motor which has lessened the impact of steel plate onto vibe motor..I'm not real happy with the quality of machine considering the price paid for machine..yeah,,bit disappointed actually..thankyou for your reply..regards Phil
Makes my tennis elbow hurt watching you scrub all those rocks with a toothbrush. For about $0.05 worth of borax you could save yourself a lot of time and not have to use a toothbrush. I run it with all of my Cycles and it sickens of slurry which is also good and makes rinsing off my rocks and cleaning my Barrel a far easier and quicker. Borax also neutralizes the gases that can cause your Barrel to explode.
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I want your Pabst sign!!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video my friend. ❤
my pleasure and thankyou #lapidarydave I always enjoy your vids.
Is this the 4# model...and do you run a first stage in coarse grit through a rotary tumbler first...or go immediately to a 2nd stage tumble? Would like to get a sonic, but don't know much about them.
It is a #4 model and I do not run coarse. I start at 400 girt. They are fast and efficient for this type of prepped work.
Thanks for the video and tips. I've been thinking of getting one for polishing guitar picks and preformed cabs. Do you think this one and the lot o tumbler polish up in the same amount of time?
I do think a lot-O would be about the same time. What is different about these is the shape of a barrel. But both produce the same type of rotating action. Unlike other burnishing style bench top vibrating units.
What is the power consumption please?
Have you used a lot-o before? Curious the differences and opinions on the two. Thanks for the video, not many out there at all about this machine
I had a lot-o when i first started lapidary in the early 90’s. But i didn’t use it to tumble cabs. However it work the same and I suspect it would tumble cabs fine. The DP barrel is their patent shape. The tumble is perfect and as long as you load it properly you can slow the tumble way down to a creep for soft material. Or speed it up for faster results on hard material.
@@ShainMayer awesome. That helps. I have a Gy-roc currently and honestly it does the job but is just a pain to monitor and work with. I appreciate you messaging me back.
Can you tell me how the DP Mini Sonic tumbler rates compared to the Lot-O on noise level, please.
@@maureenmiller2746 i feel the mini sonic is less noise than the lot-o but Ive never compared them directly. The lid on the MS can become loose which raises the sound. Use rubber tack to get a tighter fit on the lid which reduces sound greatly.
Can you show some finished cabs?
This is a finished blue chalcedony from a tumble batch. i1.wp.com/freeformcabs.shainmayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_4204-1024x1024.jpeg?ssl=1
When you do your stones what wheel do you take them to before you tumble them. From what I got from video you start with the 1000. And go up from there
The process is shaped by hand on 80 then 220 wheels. Then tumbled at 400 for 2-3 days, then i recut the griddles on 220 wheel. Then tumble 600 snd 1000 for 2-3 days each. Then burnished at 14,000, 25,000, and 50,000 for a couples days each before going into a polish stage.
What do you do in polishing stage. Thank you for the advice. I want to cut my first batch of Jasper
@@oxygenman76 The polishing stage has its own dedicated hopper for polishing only. I use the same type of media as a buffer and normally polish for 2-4 days. Keep in mind to always testing the material you plan to tumble by trying a full cut and polish by hand method. Softer stones don't work as well and in some cases not at all with this method.
Hi...my mini sonic makes a horrible high pitch rattle when I turn the speed up on the unit..what is your view on this issue please..much regards Phil
Hi Phil, like all tumblers they are not quite. However mine has only ever made the typical vibration hum. I would assume there may be something loose on yours. Have you tried just running it without a barrel attached? Just to see if it makes the noise you describe.
@@ShainMayer Good morning, thanks for your reply, I removed the top hood cover and the rattle is coming from the steel (vibration) plate bottoming out on top of the square ( vibration motor ?) . I figure this steel plate might need to be flared out a minuscule amount to clear the vibration unit..will pull apart today and have a look..at the moment, I have slid a piece of thin cardboard between the steel plate and the vibe motor which has lessened the impact of steel plate onto vibe motor..I'm not real happy with the quality of machine considering the price paid for machine..yeah,,bit disappointed actually..thankyou for your reply..regards Phil
Makes my tennis elbow hurt watching you scrub all those rocks with a toothbrush. For about $0.05 worth of borax you could save yourself a lot of time and not have to use a toothbrush. I run it with all of my Cycles and it sickens of slurry which is also good and makes rinsing off my rocks and cleaning my Barrel a far easier and quicker. Borax also neutralizes the gases that can cause your Barrel to explode.