Rep range is probably not the most important thing here..Reps should be any where from 8-15.The type of movements will most likely determine thickness,sets of multi joint excercises such as squats,deadlifts,T-Bar row and flat bench all contribute to thickness.Avoid cable movements or isolation work those tend to be more finished movements..JMO
I would echo most of that. Reps aren't essential. Progress is essential. Progressive resistance. (More next week than you can do this week.) So if you can do 11 reps of something this week, and the 11th is really a bitch, aim for 12 next week, or 11 with slightly more weight. Over and over again. THAT will get you to the goal, if the goal is size (and strength).
But machines and cable movements, though they often recruit less stabilizer involvement, do have some benefits. Cable especially: they provide a constant resistance throughout a movemement, and free weights rarely do that. Think of pec flyes. With a pair of DBs, the resistance is at the peak at the start of the move, and drops near zero as you finish it. Do it with cables, and you can keep the resistance high throughout. Ditto BB curls. On a regular BB, low resistance at the start, higher in the middle, medium at the end. With a cable, you can jack up the resistance on any portion of that.
BUT. The movements MaDmaN listed for you - those get you the size. Make your body move the heaviest weights possible, the heaviest movements you can do, and you'll pack on the thickness. For me, and for most, that squats, deads, BB Rows, BB and DB presses. The heavier the weight you can use, the better. Preacher curls might feel great, but they're light weight, relatively speaking, so stick with heavier moves when you're starting out. Force your body to adapt.
Blah blah blah. Man, I talk too much.