rockcat11
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 176
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Post by rockcat11 on Mar 24, 2018 16:05:02 GMT -5
So my birthday is coming up and my mom asked if I would like a new tumbler for my b-day. I am currently using a nat geo tumbler, and while I am getting good results, I want a tumbler with a bigger barrel than one pound. I was thinking of asking for a Thumbler Tumbler, the model T. Is this a good one?
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Post by rmf on Mar 24, 2018 16:48:08 GMT -5
Do not know about Thumbler Tumblers first hand. I do know about Lortone Tumblers. The QT12 is a 12 pound drum (but it really only holds about 10 pounds of agate/jasper). You can also get two 6# drums that fit in the same frame which Lortone calls a QT66. Lortone tumblers last a long time and you can easily get parts for them.
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Post by captbob on Mar 24, 2018 17:14:52 GMT -5
Feel the need to chime in here. I'm a Thumler's ( only) guy, but I don't use the smaller units, so my comment is from reading about these small units, not from experience. I would recommend you go with the Lortone model 3A over the similar sized Thumler's units. Looking at The Rock Shed site, the Lortone 3A is 10 bucks less than a Thumler's model T and about 25 bucks less than the Thumler's model Ar-1 - which is also a 3 lb. barrel, but probably superior to the model T. With these 3 pound barrels, I have read that the small Thumler's barrels MAY have more problems with the barrel lids staying where they belong. With the Thumler's barrels in this size, the barrel lids are held in place with a rubber O-ring. You may get one and have no problems. I reckon they must work or they wouldn't sell... Just thinkin' the Lortone barrel lid may be a more secure option. Plus it is less expensive! www.therockshed.com/tumbler4.htmlFolks that own/run 3 pound barrel tumblers will hopefully add their experience and opinions. Bigger barrels, I'd go with Thumler's - but that's just my (biased) opinion. *poof*
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Post by Jugglerguy on Mar 24, 2018 18:13:39 GMT -5
I have both a Lortone 33B and a Thumlers AR-2. I agree completely with what captbob said. (Hi Bob!) The Lortone lids are great. The Thumlers lid is awful. I've had several leaks with the Thumlers, plus you have to replace the lids about every 2-3 months. I occasionally replace the rubber lid liner on my Lortone, but that's more like 2-3 years. I have never had a Lortone lid leak. I've also had the Thumlers come off of the roller base before. I also have a Lortone QT66 which holds way more rocks. I like the double barrel models because you get two barrels for the price of one motor. I have not used the larger Thumlers, so I can't comment on them. From what others, including Bob who has like five or six running, that the larger Thumlers are good too. After you upgrade your rotary, you should consider a Lot-O. The Lot-O does all stages well, except the first, which should be done in a rotary. It uses only 2 TABLEspoons of 120/220 grit and 1/2 TEAspoon of all grits after that. Plus, it finishes each stage in about two days. You'll save money on grit and electricity and also get them done faster. I love my Lot-O.
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Post by aDave on Mar 24, 2018 19:51:51 GMT -5
Working off the posts of captbob and Jugglerguy, I'd recommend the Lortones simply for the ease of sealing up the lids and availability of parts. I do have to make a disclaimer, however. I have not used Thumlers and have only been (still am) a Lortone user. That said, I think the single biggest question is how much material are you planning to process? Many of us use larger barrels due to the amount of rock we're pushing through, but it really makes no sense for a recommendation for a larger tumbler if you are only rolling a couple pounds at a time. I started in this hobby with one Lortone 45C which is a 4lb barrel. I've quickly outgrown that one tumbler and use a QT 66 for coarse grind, and I then do finish work on a couple of 45C's. If you are looking to do something smaller, consider a 33B which gives you two barrels to separate your work. Your question, while seemingly simple, has a multitude of variations with answers depending on what you are trying to accomplish.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 24, 2018 19:53:05 GMT -5
I would second the Lot O, but if we are talking rotary tumbler, it would be hard to beat the QT66. Double barrels, increased tumbling capacity over the 33B, and larger diameter barrels. Those things will matter, if you want to get more involved in this hobby.
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,630
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Post by NRG on Mar 24, 2018 20:23:58 GMT -5
So my birthday is coming up and my mom asked if I would like a new tumbler for my b-day. I am currently using a nat geo tumbler, and while I am getting good results, I want a tumbler with a bigger barrel than one pound. I was thinking of asking for a Thumbler Tumbler, the model T. Is this a good one? Welcome to RTH from SoCal. I like your mom already! I'm not helpful on tumbler choice. Sorry. Good luck in your quest!
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Post by gmitch067 on Mar 24, 2018 20:36:42 GMT -5
I think the Lortone QT66/12 is a good upgrade... and very versatile. I have two of these and they are my major work horses. You can choose to use the two 6 lb. barrels for starters, and later buy a 12 lb. barrel for those future large loads.
It sounds like you have been hooked on the hobby and desire to advance to a tumbler that can handle larger loads. Sure the Lortone 3A or 33B units are larger, but the barrels only take max 2.5 lbs of material. How soon will you become dissatisfied with small loads and want to tumble a "marvelous" find from the back yard... but it is too large of a stone for the 3 lb barrels???
Glenn
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rockcat11
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 176
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Post by rockcat11 on Mar 24, 2018 20:41:32 GMT -5
Working off the posts of captbob and Jugglerguy , I'd recommend the Lortones simply for the ease of sealing up the lids and availability of parts. I do have to make a disclaimer, however. I have not used Thumlers and have only been (still am) a Lortone user. That said, I think the single biggest question is how much material are you planning to process? Many of us use larger barrels due to the amount of rock we're pushing through, but it really makes no sense for a recommendation for a larger tumbler if you are only rolling a couple pounds at a time. I started in this hobby with one Lortone 45C which is a 4lb barrel. I've quickly outgrown that one tumbler and use a QT 66 for coarse grind, and I then do finish work on a couple of 45C's. If you are looking to do something smaller, consider a 33B which gives you two barrels to separate your work. Your question, while seemingly simple, has a multitude of variations with answers depending on what you are trying to accomplish. I am looking for something about 3 pounds...or so. Anything bigger would be too big for me to handle.
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rockcat11
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 176
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Post by rockcat11 on Mar 24, 2018 20:43:33 GMT -5
I think the Lortone QT66/12 is a good upgrade... and very versatile. I have two of these and they are my major work horses. You can choose to use the two 6 lb. barrels for starters, and later buy a 12 lb. barrel for those future large loads. It sounds like you have been hooked on the hobby and desire to advance to a tumbler that can handle larger loads. Sure the Lortone 3A or 33B units are larger, but the barrels only take max 2.5 lbs of material. How soon will you become dissatisfied with small loads and want to tumble a "marvelous" find from the back yard... but it is too large of a stone for the 3 lb barrels??? Glenn Marvelous find... lol. I’m in ny
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Post by gmitch067 on Mar 24, 2018 20:47:34 GMT -5
Lol! Don't worry... rocks grow everywhere... even in NY
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Post by aDave on Mar 24, 2018 20:52:31 GMT -5
I am looking for something about 3 pounds...or so. Anything bigger would be too big for me to handle. Then going back to my original question(s) I would look to a Lortone 33B. It's certainly not the "end all" to tumbling, but if you are doing that small an amount, this two barrel tumbler gives you some options. You can do coarse grind work in one barrel and save the second barrel for your finer work as a start. You can then add barrels and split your work as need be. Good luck in your quest.
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nchillbilly
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2018
Posts: 212
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Post by nchillbilly on Mar 25, 2018 0:10:54 GMT -5
I'll add my two cents, FWIW. I currently have a thumler's ar-2 (2-3lb barrels), a thumler's model b, recently purchased a lyman turbo twin vibe, and just bought a lortone QT6. I have had good luck with the thumler ar-2, but do occasionally have a lid leak, and the lids, although relatively cheap, will need to be replaced every few months. A lot depends on what type of rocks you plan to work with (hardness), and the amount you work with. Soft stones will respond better in a vibe. You'll want to do your rough grind in some sort of rotary, but I have found some soft stones (mohs 4 or softer) are next to impossible to get shined in a rotary (at least they give me problems). Although I haven't received it yet, because of the reputation, I'd probably recommend some version of a lortone. I stepped up to the QT6 because I am starting to run larger loads of rock, and even though the ar-2 is supposed to have 3lb barrels, 3lbs of rock won't fit in my barrels. Whichever you chose, be patient, and try different things until you get dialed in. Most all the info on here will get you in the ball park, sometimes you'll need to make some adjustments to achieve your goal. Good luck and post some pics of your work. Welcome to the forum.
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rockcat11
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 176
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Post by rockcat11 on Mar 25, 2018 7:25:34 GMT -5
I think that I am leaning to the Loratone. I do not want to deal with leaky lids or have to replace the lids that often. I also like that I can get replacement parts from amazon. Now it’s just a matter of which one do I get....
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Post by Jugglerguy on Mar 25, 2018 7:39:54 GMT -5
I’d suggest buying at The Rock Shed. The 33B costs $115 at the Rock Shed and $170 on Amazon. I didn’t see many replacement parts on Amazon, but The Rock Shed has every replacement part. If Amazon has replacement lid liners, the rubber part, not the metal part, it would probably save money to buy from there if you get free shipping, but even with free shipping the whole tumbler is cheaper from The Rock Shed. Also, if you buy a tumbler from The Rock Shed, you get a discount on rough rock and grit. It’s a good time to stock up on grit. By the way, I don’t have any affiliation with The Rock Shed, I’m just a happy customer.
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rockcat11
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 176
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Post by rockcat11 on Mar 25, 2018 13:24:57 GMT -5
Which is better the 45c or the 33b?
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Post by grumpybill on Mar 25, 2018 17:14:49 GMT -5
I have both. It takes the 3lb barrels a week or more to break down 3 Tbsp. of 60/90 abrasive to where I can't feel it in the slurry. The 45C can completely break down 5 Tbsp. of grit in 4 or 5 days. Not only does it process more stones per run, it does it more quickly.
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Post by aDave on Mar 25, 2018 19:50:40 GMT -5
Which is better the 45c or the 33b? Better is relative as it relates to you question. My first tumbler was a 45C. It served me well, but it was only one barrel. If you are OK with just working with one barrel for everything, the 45C is a great start in and of itself. However, what I started with is not something I would go with solely, knowing what I know right now. If you get a 45C, I would recommend that you (at least) get one additional barrel. Use the first barrel for all work until polish, and then use the second barrel just for the polish stage. In the ideal world with this tumbler, I'd have a barrel for coarse, medium, fine, and then polish. That's just me. If you go this route, plan on having this first barrel locked up for months. The 33B, right out of the gate gives you two barrels. You can use one barrel to run all stages up to polish, and then you can use the second barrel for the polish stage. Additional barrels can be added as you see fit. You'll still use the first barrel for months, but you're starting with two barrels. Just keep in mind that larger barrels will process rocks more efficiently due to weight in the barrel. A 33B does not grind stuff near as efficiently as a QT66, for instance. I still only run rotary tumblers. In no way can I compare to what comes out of most folks vibes. However, I've been pretty happy with my results, and I'm not ready to move on just yet. Personally, I'm at a point where I can get a shine with anything I'm running...granted, it's hard stuff so it's pretty brainless. The biggest downfall with the rotary is you need to be patient. When I get to the point that I've moved out of the coarse stage, I'm still looking at about another 6 weeks before I'm done, and those final stages are completed in individual barrels in two 45Cs. All that said, if I was to do stuff over again, I'd get a QT 66 (granted, it's more rock, but you can choose to run one 6 lb barrel if you want) to run the coarse stage, and then I'd get a Lot-O to finish the subsequent steps in a vibe. I'm just lazy, and that's half the reason for me not getting a vibe just yet. It just takes a little bit more baby-sitting than going all rotary. I know, far more info than you asked for, but I felt like typing.
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Mar 25, 2018 20:17:38 GMT -5
Another vote for the QT66. I have one. Fast action and 2 barrels. Been doing it a year and the QT66 tumblers make a lot of polished rocks. How many polished rocks do you want ?
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rockcat11
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 176
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Post by rockcat11 on Mar 25, 2018 20:42:15 GMT -5
I,d be happy with all the rocks in the world... but as this will be a gift I do have to keep a price limit in mind. 150 is about max
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