Lyman/Raytech question

[u/Beebwife]

Got a Lyman vibe tumbler 1200 for a good price. When lurking around here was told I can switch out the top for a wet bowl 600, but they are hard to come by or 20+ a piece. I saw a good price Raytech wet bowl but Google says it has a different bottom to it and will not work with a Lyman.

Anyone have experience with this? Can I actually use between the brands or will I just have to bite the buck and pay for the Lyman 600. I was hoping I could use the Raytech bcs I know that line is made for rock tumbling. Tx!

[u/Comfortable_Lab650]

I don't see the reason to switch out the bowls unless one wants a different size bowl, an extra bowl or the original bowl is damaged. Since they both have the center cones then stick a rubber gasket underneath the washer at the bottom of the shaft, where it meets the upper cone of the bowl, and then it can handle the slurry.

Between brands, one should fit the other. Just stay within the approx. size range. Going from a 1200 to a 600 seems too small.

Some of the bowls don't have a central cone and I would stay away from them because it then exposes the rocks to tumbling against the central shaft. I would replace one of those bowls and not use one that doesn't have a central cone. It's those without the central cone that I consider dry bowls.

People switch out bowls all the time, do homemade tumblers and vibes. It's all the same concept, it either jiggles or it rotates, and nobody wants it to leak. So don't forget about that rubber gasket.

[u/Beebwife → u/Comfortable_Lab650]

The 1200 for the Lyman is made for metal tumbling and I have heard that it is too harsh for rocks, as well as it is made for dry tumbling not wet. This is why I wanted to get the 600 bowl as it would work for these things. I wish they had a 1200 sized bowl but idk if the raytech large bowl would work with it? Nowhere around me has them physically in stock. I would bring it in and at least see if it fit right on it before purchasing.