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The Raytech 23-001 TV-5 standard vibratory tumbler has a 0.05 cubic foot bowl capacity and 115V, 60 Hz motor for rock tumbling and metal finishing applications such as deburring and polishing. The tumbler holds up to 4 lb. of rock or 25 metal ring castings with media. It includes a motorized base and an ABS plastic bowl, which has a clear acrylic lid that allows a full view of contents while the machine is operating. The lid is removable and secures with an included threaded nut and stud assembly. The tumbler can be used in wet and dry operations but is not recommend for use with steel or ceramic media. It is CE approved and includes a 6' power cord with three-prong plug.
Specifications
Model number 23-001 TV-5 Bowl capacity 0.05 cubic foot (approximately 4 lb. of rock or 25 ring castings) Bowl dimensions 3-3/4 x 8 inches (H x D) Operation Wet and dry Motor 115V, 60 Hz Weight 6 lb. Overall dimensions 13 x 8 inches (H x D)H is height, the vertical distance from the lowest to highest point; D is diameter, the widest horizontal distance from left to right.
Vibratory tumblers are a type of finishing machine designed to grind and polish small objects such as irregularly shaped metal components and rocks. The tumblers consist of a bowl mounted to a motorized base that vibrates to produce friction among the bowl's contents. This action grinds and polishes the objects without significantly altering their shape. Grinding and polishing mixtures can be added to create a variety of finishing effects.
Raytech manufacturers metal finishing and gem processing equipment. The company, founded in 1958, is headquartered in Middletown, CT.
DODGE
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2024
This was a game changer for me.Cut weeks off polishing my rock.For only stage 2-4, don’t use for stage one.Quality equipment
Kat
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2023
I’ve had this tumbler for a year now. I’ve done about 5 batches of rocks and am including some pics. I am very pleased with it.I am new to tumbling this past year but have always wanted to try it.I wanted a nice big silicone vib tumbler but am not ready to shell out $400 at this point in my hobby!I did a LOT of research on YouTube and internet on tumbling. I don’t think you could be successful just using the instructions that come with this tumbler. Do some research up front as there is a lot to learn and you can learn from others’ mistakes.I only use this tumbler for steps 4&5 (pre polish and polish). I use a dual rotary tumbler to perform steps 1 & 2, for at least a week or two apiece, where I use ceramic or plastic media to get the rocks very smooth. Steps 1&2 will severely scrape up and damage the plastic bowls this comes with - learn from my mistake!I only use ceramic media with this tumbler now. I tried plastic pellets but they didn’t work well. I would def advise using ceramic media because I think it moves the rocks around and distributes the polish better.I also bought 2 separate bowls and labeled them for pre polish and polish to keep the steps separate (and to have a second bowl in case one breaks).This tumbler is very loud! But it works. Step 3 & 4 only take about 24 hrs apiece and then I burnish the rocks in the bowl with ivory soap, borax or flaked detergent.My favorite part about this tumbler is that it knocks off significant time for the last two steps.The main reason I’m knocking off a star is because of the noise and quality of the bowls. If they used a different material for them, it could be much quieter and the bowls could be used for all steps in the process.Otherwise, it’s certainly a purchase I’ve been happy with.
VKM Seattle
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2023
As long as you screw the lid down properly, this thing works really well. You shouldn't use it for stage 1, however, because the roughest grit will most likely reduce the longevity of the bowl. I have polished rocks from about 1/2 inch to 3 inches and they come out beautifully.
Rob
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2023
Wanted to purchase the Vibe 10 but not in stock.Reviews can be in the eye of the beholder so I thought I would take a CHANCE and purchase the tumbler, the price was right.When it arrived, I assembled it, loaded 4 pounds of agates and 220 grit with the correct amount of water.Let it run for two days checking it every 8 hours for water.At the end of two days tumbling I removed the agates for the next stage. Needed to completely clean the bowl for the next grit stage. To my amazement, I was unable to clean the bowl, the 220 grit was imbedded in the soft plastic bowl and I was not able to clean for the next stage.Returned this piece of junk to Amazon for a refund. What a waste of time.I searched the internet and found a Vibe 18 new for $360.00 which I purchase and am waiting for it to land on my doorstep.
Retired Gemmologist
Reviewed in Canada on March 5, 2023
Some people find the machine messy. I certainly could be if the bowl and lid are not screwed down tightly.I deducted one star because the tightening knobs could be improved. There is not much of a hand grip.Otherwise it is a great machine with a good tumbling action.
Lawrence
Reviewed in Canada on August 19, 2022
Tumbler works very well. When you get it turn the centre piece ALL the way down. In use their have been complaints so... Tighten the base threaded rod very tight. Tighten the both the bowl and lid nut well, I use a large washer on the lid under the nut to spread out the force on the plastic lid. Some have complained it can be messy, well for heavens sake you are using grit with rock that creates sludge, Rock tumbling is messy !!!
Clayton
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2022
It took me awhile to understand how to add the rocks and grit. I'm used to the barrel tumbler and the vibrator is just the opposite when it comes to adding the grit and water. That's on me, not the vibrator. It only leaked on me one time. I had too much water in it and the lid was not tight. So, that one is on me as well. I took someone's advice and tightened the nut holding the center rod down with a wrench. Finger tight is not good enough. I filled the TV-5 about 7/8 full of rock of all sizes. The hardness ranged from 6-7.5 Mohs. Added 2tsp of #1 grit and 4T of water. Made sure that the edges of the lid and bowl were clean, put them on and turned on the vibrator. It's been running 7 days and you can see the rocks go down and others popping back to the surface. I had to spray the rocks several times through the process. If you don't, you'll be making cement. I give this vibrator 5 stars. The problems that you read about in the 1 & 2 star comments are mostly mistakes by the owners. Some though were legitimate complaints.This is all IMHO.
Corrin Barnum
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2022
Don't believe the bad reviews! This does come with instructions, they're just sandwiched between cardboard on the bottom. The tumbler comes ready to go. Just tighten down the middle bolt (use some Loctite if you want to be *extra* secure, though it's by no means necessary), put the bowl on and tighten it down with the first rubber screw part, then put the lid on and tighten it down with the second rubber screw. The most important thing is to just make sure everything is tightened down as much as possible and you won't have any problems.I've been running it near constantly for a few weeks now with no issues and I'm SUPER happy to have found an affordable option, I've needed this upgrade for quite some time but it just hadn't been in the budget until I found this little guy. Saving my hands from a lot of work sanding!
Petrea Brackett
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2021
This tumbler had some bad reviews so I was a little hesitant to purchase. It works great, I haven't had any trouble with the lid coming off or moving. Just make sure you tighten the base of the bowl with a wrench. You shouldn't do the first phase of rock tumbling in the bowl, it is plastic and the type of grit needed for the shaping process is too rough for the bowl. I wish I new that first, but the tumbler is very sturdy and was a great purchase.
Nicholas
Reviewed in Canada on October 2, 2021
Works really good does not leak it's all about putting it together the right way I'm giving this a five-star rating
S Van Eysinga
Reviewed in Canada on July 19, 2020
This is my first tumbler. It was a bit of a learning curve to get used to it, it works best and quietest at full capacity with ceramic beads for filler. I did add a lot of thick rubber bands to quiten it a bit as it is loud, but I can run it in the house without too much disturbance. It does leak and is messy so I have it going in my spare bathroom tub. Polishes up in less than a week.
Jean Dan
Reviewed in Canada on November 14, 2020
My kids bought me this Raytech vibrating tumbler for my bday, I like it so much that I had to buy another one, and it arrived a day early too. Thank you!!!
Kindle Customer
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2016
Giving three stars because within the first week of use, the cheap rubber covered nuts that hold the bowl to the unit, and the lid to the bowl tore (rubber came off) and the threaded rod broke.Was an easy fix though. I just went to the hardware store and purchased a small (12 inch) threaded rod, cut it down to size and replaced the broken one. I replaced the rubberized nuts with rubber washers and wing nuts.Seems to work pretty good now.
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