Vibro Tumblers

[stu_clouds]

Hello,

Just wondering if anyone uses a vibro tumbler? i am producing alot of jewellery and need to polish alot more and think i need to upgrade to one. Does anyone know a supplier in the UK of them? i can only find them state side. Also what medias do you use?

Any help and advice greatly received.

Regards

Stuart

[Dennis]

Don't know much about them Stu, But Sutton Tools and Walshes list vibrating polishers, magnetic polishers and large capacity tumblers. Sutton tools are good for advice, so you might like to phone them, explaining your requirements.

Cookson also have a range of large barreling machines, for comparison. We should all be interested in the results of your research. Regards, Dennis.

[stu_clouds]

Dennis,

Thanks for your comments, unfortunately Sutton tools vibrating polisher is a small scale one and does not take steel shot, Walsh do have a bigger one however it is high priced but i guess that would be off set by the shipping costs from the US.

Kind regards

Stuart

[lopez]

Hey Stuart, it all depends on what you actually want to do. I personally classify mass finishing into two groups 1. the 'old school rotory/ vibro and 2. the moden centrifugal. Now having looked at your web site I see it's mainly silver and I gather you are at the moment on a budget so stick to the old school method and although the vibro is quicker than the rotory they give the same results (vibro main used for larger items) and the rotory is slower, it's cheaper. All the major suppliers supply a cut down media and are all the same as with the steel shot but remember always wash the barrel after each process or if you can use a different barrel for each process to avoid cross contamination. Just remember 1.don't use the cut down media with stone set jewellery, 2. ultrasonia the jewellery before then placing in the steel shot and try to use the stainless steel shot; when the good times come then switch over to the cenrtifugal method mainly the otec machines. My main guide would be to say that you can easily mass finish for less than £100.00, good luck.

[stu_clouds]

Hey Stuart, it all depends on what you actually want to do. I personally classify mass finishing into two groups 1. the 'old school rotory/ vibro and 2. the moden centrifugal. Now having looked at your web site I see it's mainly silver and I gather you are at the moment on a budget so stick to the old school method and although the vibro is quicker than the rotory they give the same results (vibro main used for larger items) and the rotory is slower, it's cheaper. All the major suppliers supply a cut down media and are all the same as with the steel shot but remember always wash the barrel after each process or if you can use a different barrel for each process to avoid cross contamination. Just remember 1.don't use the cut down media with stone set jewellery, 2. ultrasonia the jewellery before then placing in the steel shot and try to use the stainless steel shot; when the good times come then switch over to the cenrtifugal method mainly the otec machines. My main guide would be to say that you can easily mass finish for less than £100.00, good luck.

Hi Lopez,

Thanks for your reply, i am intrigued about the centrifugal methods i have read about them previously. What prices are these machines ranging from? We are not on to much of a budget as things are developing nicely. I cant find a price on these machines anywhere. Do you use an otec machine? I find the barrel polishing is good but only to some extent i still have to do alot of hand finishing especially at both the cutting and final polishing stages hence me considering a vibro to see if this is different.

regards

Stuart

[lopez]

Hey Stuart, the Otec range from around £700-20000, and I use the lower priced range; and although good these need servicing etc etc. If each process before the finished product is good the finishing is easy. Make sure the waxes are good and polish them if required, cast with good quality investment, then magnetic polish (the most impotant) if the casting are good the magnetic polishing should give a wearable product then I de sprue and buff to a 600 grit, you can then mass finish in a cut down cycle for 3-5 hrs in a rotory barrel, then in a steel shot in the rotory barrel for around 5 hrs, and quick touch on the mop before despatch. Will spending loads of money give a better finish? No. I have friends you spend £20000+ and the difference is not costumer noticible.

[shirleytemple]

Hi Stuart, I am a retired silversmith, and have a small scale tumble polisher with all the steel shot that I would like to sell.
£170. As I live in Kent you would have to collect it or pay for the carriage. It really was a fabulous help as it polishes a lot of stuff to a brilliant finish using just soap flakes and water.
shirleytemple