Vibratory Tumbler Build: Big Blue #2
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- čas přidán 15. 03. 2024
- Hello Friends. A couple months ago I built my first vibratory rock tumbler. I shared the maiden voyage and polishing results with you. Named ‘Big Blue’ the tumbler did a great job. At this same time the motor in my first vibratory tumbler (a Raytech TV-10) completely burnt up. So, I decided to make a second unit with a couple lessons learned from my first one. In addition, several of you asked me to do a ‘build video’ which I’ve never done before. So, here it is- Big Blue #2 and my first attempt at a build video, with polishing results at the very end. FYI vibratory tumblers provide excellent final polish results. They do not replace rotary tumblers, which are used in Stage-1 of basic rock tumbling.
Why would I do a build video? For me personally, I hope in some way this video encourages you to try and build your own unit. To cite @KatyDidRocks: Keep On Doing! If you find this video informative or if you have any questions, inquiries, etc. drop a note in the comments or send me an email.
UPDATE: There is a 5" pc of angle iron I ended up not using. This was a result of mounting the motor more efficiently than Bib Blue #1 (using less space) and the 5" pc would have collided with grade8 mounting bolts. I may decide to weld these pcs on future builds and eliminate some of the drilling and subsequent mounting bolts. Good luck to all who have contacted me with build questions. I'm glad this video has encouraged many people to build their own vibratory rock tumbler!
Please consider subscribing. Join me at Rock & Lap to learn rock polishing, be creative, make things, etc. The "Lap." in the channel name is short for Lapidary! This channel is a wonderful place to share hobbies and learn from each other. I'll be sharing things regarding the outdoors, rock hounding, fossils, and lapidary.
/ @rockandlap
I've been looking to make my own homemade vibratory tumbler for a while, but couldn't really find a useful video. You knocked it out of the park and as soon as I can scrape up the coin, I'll start building. Thanks for the tutorial!
@@kengensjewelry glad you like it and hope it helps. Send me some pics when you get one going. Thanks for the nice comments and best to you, Vince
Very impressive! I would never have even considered trying to build a vibratory! You nailed it! Well done!
@@edcctf thank you!
This is an awesome video. Jared from Currently Rockhounding sent me over to check out your build. We had been discussing the end of lortone machines and now too, there is rumors of harbor freight, is no longer going to sell their tumbler. And the vacuum it leaves in this hobby is going to be hard felt for us that have been solely rotary tumbling. And ive wanted to get into vibratory tumbling for quite some time now, but the cost of it has gotten out if hand, as with most things in this hobby. We had been talking about how lapidary needs more people to step up and create machines that dont cost a fortune but a mid range product that is made with the high standards that we all expect. And you sir, seem ro be rhe answer to many of our prayers. Thank you for puting this build on youtube, for all of us to watch and use. It shows the kind of integrity that this field needs. The vibe tumbler works really well, and the build is east to understand, and the proof is in the rocks! Thank you to Jared for sending us over here, and thank you for the awesome tumbler and video!
Currently rockhounding sent me over... wow awesome work!!! Thank you
Thank you Brien!
I love seeing videos like this pop up in my subscription feed!
This is a great design.
Thank you Jared!
Excellent video!
Jared sent me over and now subscribed. This build was done so well. I hope I can find these parts at Grainger in Canada. Thanks!
I cannot find the bowls at Grainger Canada 😢
@@merkilegur that...sucks!
@@Mike-br8vbit really dies. Not sure if anyone could print these from plastic?
@merkilegur that is great idea, and totally doable. Unfortunately, I don't own one.
Wow! I'd buy one.
Me too! Current rockhounding is very educational!
I like the tumbled thunderegg!!
Terrific machine, produces a perfect polish!
Thank you CanadianGemstones!
Kyle (World of Rockhounds) posted your video. My dad had bought a machine made vibratory flat lap that uses an eccentric gear to vibrate the upper platform. I’ve had limited success with it because the homemade lap isn’t the best, but thinking about getting a bowl and seeing if it will work better as a vibratory tumbler.
Great idea and thank you for sharing the video.
You are so welcome & thanks for watching!
I have been looking at a lot of DIY ideas for a vibratory unit and this plan is the one I like best. I have the parts on order already. I plan to try adding a speed controller to see if I can do minor adjustments. That and a round base only because I am neurotic and must have symmetry. 🤣 you did all the hard work for me with the testing. Thanks for a great design!
That’s awesome @Woodjunkie and thanks for the feedback. Glad the video was helpful and good luck on your build. Please send me a pic of your work I’d like to see the results!
Bravo! Good job! :)
Thank you 😊
Best video I've seen on building a vibe.
Thank you; I appreciate that!
sweet can not wait to build one, thank you for sharing. Maybe you should sell them LOL a side job LOL..
This was nothing short of amazing, thank you
Thank you for the comment, for sharing your time, and watching. Best, R&L
Beautifully polished stones❤
Very fun to watch the build, thank you for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it and thank you Kelly!
Super cool video. All those rocks are looking good. Here from Kyle (WorldOfRockhounds). I’m subbed and look forward to your future content.
Thank you Kurt, I appreciate that feedback. I have some other items in the build roadmap that I believe will be very unique. Just need more time to get them off paper concept! Thanks for that feedback and I'll check out your content too!
Wow! ❤
Very nice!
Thank you @soul_adventurist for watching and the feedback!
Ok I'm convinced! I can make this. After watching several tumbler reviews/comparisons and having my own experience with a 3lb vib tumbler and needing to upscale I think this is the solution. Can you tell me if you mirrored the 4 dimple counterbalance setup on BOTH sides? Also, can you please do an update when you have discovered the perfect settings for counterbalance vs bearing longevity? Although, at about $50 each I can almost consider the motor semi disposable as well as easily replaceable. Thank you.
Hello, yes, I put the four dimple setting the same on both sides. I’ve been very happy with the results so I don’t plan on making any adjustments. If I do I’ll post an update. And you make a good point, that motor is very low cost, and I would also consider it a disposable item. I’ve been running BB nonstop for a few months and it continues to perform well. I’ll also update if there’s any motor issue, wear, etc. Thanks for watching!
What are some of the advantages of a vibratory tumbler over a rotary tumbler?
Hi Samuel. Vibratory is better at polishing and much faster. I tumble rough rock in a rotary till smooth. This can take several weeks or months depending on rock hardness, shape etc. Once smooth (to your preference) a vibratory tumbler will get a great shine in just over a week. I use four stages of grit in the vibe. Check out my other video on Big Blue1 if you’d like to see the steps. Thank you!
what is the total cost
His Big Blue 1 cost:
~$10 for nuts & bolts
$159 for 20# cap. barrel & lid
$59 for vibratory motor
$27.22 for 2x 1"x1/8" angle iron
~$35 for 1 4'x8' sheet of 3/4" CDX plywood (he used scrap, for no charge, though)
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~$290-$300 for 20lb capacity vibratory rock tumbler. Assuming you don't have scrap lumber laying around.
All prices are in USD as of Mar 23, 2024, no taxes or S&H included.
Prices are comparable to Amazon ($230-$264 / 18lb capacity), but you don't get the fun and pride of building your own machine from scratch if you buy from Amazon.
This is amazing design 🤩. I really liked the end results. Curious why you didn’t weld the angle iron instead of using so many bolts? Is there issues with the nuts vibrating lose? Thank you for sharing this.
Welding is certainly an option. I like having the ability to take it apart / break it down if needed. The hardware is grade-8 with lock washers. Both vibe tumblers have ran several batches spanning multiple weeks of continuous use. All bolts remain tight. Maybe I'll weld my next one! 🙂
@@RockandLap the lock washers completely slipped my mind. Also I didn’t even think about being able to break it down later down the road. I appreciate you responding back. I asked cause I have been wanting one of these but don’t have the the money to spare. My husband or dad could make this without needing to buy the majority of parts to make it. Just the motor and bowl. I know my husband and dad would want to weld it. That’s another reason I asked.
If you welded one together it would give you extra content for your channel.
Outstanding Vid!!! Thanks For the good work. Couple questions: did u use the 3/8 ply to make it easier to locate screw head recess locations, or thickness? The 5" piece of angle iron, where does it go? Did I miss something?
Hi William. I used the 3/8 ply simply because I had it in my barn stock. I like plywood as it's less prone to warping with moisture compared to a ~3/4" slab for the bowl's base. And... you asked a question that I anticipated: The 5" pc was ultimately not used. It would have fit between the two bracket sides, oriented to support the bowl's base. It wouldn't fit due to the screw heads/bolts colliding & I determined it wasn't needed. Lots of bolts, and future welding opportunity to simplify things. Great question, and good catch on the details! Thanks for watching and best to you,
@@RockandLap Thought that might be an oopsie with the 5". Have U tried rubberized strips under the bowl? Most every store bought tumbler has something along those lines, less wear on the bowl maybe. Using a uv-10 bowl with the same basic design. Would a 40w motor be more appropriate driver with smaller springs. To compensate for less of a load. Or just tune the motor to a less aggressive vibration.
I do have a rubberized strip that came with the bowl I ordered. I haven’t used it yet, and maybe I’ll put it on. I know the Raytech TV 10 that I burnt up did not have that and it’s bowl seem to last fine for just over a year before I burnt the motor out.
The results look great! What type of git and grit size do you use for the polish? Thanks.
Hi Rockn-UV! Check out the first Big Blue tumbler I built. In that video I go step by step on the vibratory process & list the grits, time duration, etc. In short: the recipe I use is 60/90 SiC for weeks in rotary. Then in the vibe' 220 SiC grit (3) days, 500 ALO grit (3) days, ALO polish (2) days. There are variations in recipes. Check out @MichiganRocks and @spwinaustin they have great info on vibratory tumbling techniques.
@@RockandLap Excellent, thank you.
Which way is cheaper to go through? To build it or to just buy one already made?
The age old question! New units of this capacity exceed $500. You can acquire these parts + bowl for around $250. Some tools and time are required which is a unique factor, different for each person.
@@RockandLap ok thank you
How much did it cost you to build?
Question: where did you get the motor? The only place I could find it was eBay. They had some but alot of them are 40W and not 60W. How important is 60W?
Hi Steven. I bought the motor on Amazon. In my first Big Blue video I show the exact page, spec, and price. The 60W is spec'd to have about 140lbs of max force. This would of course be with the weights at max-force setting (fully offset). In your research look at the force rating of similar motors I imagine a smaller motor may suffice since a fully loaded bowl is less than 30lbs.
@@RockandLap Thanks for the clarification! I now have one on order.
What are the measurments for the holes in the angle iron?
@@nigelbentley4161 about .5” in from the ends.
Have you tried to trumble aluminium in it? I'm looking at getting me a vibratory tumbler to deburr my parts.
Hello. I have only used this for stones. I have ran the bowl dry, full of media and the tumbling action was similar to what I've seen accomplished on metal deburring applications. As long as your aluminum parts are sized to fit in the bowl, and 'mix, curn, etc' with media I see no reason why it wouldn't work.
What was your final cost on this build!!!if you don’t mind saying!
Hi Dale. Big Blue #1 was around $200 with the bowl and motor being largest cost items. Most everything else I had on hand. I think Big Blue #2 was around $240 as I bought more of the material, iron. Etc. Both continue to run strong.
What would be the capacity?
Hello. That larger bowl is a Thumler UV18 which I think is ~18lb capacity. I found when fully loaded with stones, water & grit, and the ceramic media a full bowl can approach 25lbs. The vibe motor spec sheet cites about 140lbs force capability.
Thank you😊