remist17
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2019
Posts: 4
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Post by remist17 on Jul 13, 2019 18:02:29 GMT -5
I'm new to rock tumbling. Can anyone point me in right direction on how to's? What is a decent entry level tumbler. This is a Dad/Daughter adventure. I have alot to learn.
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braat
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2016
Posts: 350
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Post by braat on Jul 13, 2019 18:30:24 GMT -5
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meanie
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2019
Posts: 8
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Post by meanie on Jul 13, 2019 18:35:24 GMT -5
How much are you looking to spend? I’ve only been tumbling since Christmas, when I got my sons a tumbler. The most important lessons that I’ve learned that I didn’t know when I started were: 1. Don’t mix rocks of varying hardness 2. Clean the heck out of your barrel between every stage. 3. It’ll take way longer than one week to complete the first stage.
Santa bought my boys a National Geographic tumbler off of amazon, but that thing is so loud that I really wouldn’t recommend it, although it does get the job done. I ended up later getting a lortone 33b and then just recently, a lortone qt66. The 33b is great for folks just starting out—it runs two barrels and is pretty quiet. You can pick one up from therockshed for 110 bucks I think.
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Jul 13, 2019 19:25:18 GMT -5
I bought my granddaughters a double 3 lb barrel Thumlers Tumble which they have been using since Christmas. The model A-R2 #115 has been a very well made heavy duty unit. www.thumlerstumbler.com/rotary.html
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Post by Peruano on Jul 13, 2019 20:18:32 GMT -5
Nothing against rotary tumblers but . . . they are slow and folks lose interest. If you preselect your rocks (beach cobble, river cobble, preformed stones) they can be successfully processed in a vibratory tumbler in a week versus months. For the money and as an entry level machine the Raytech Vibe 5 has the durability, capacity, and economy needed. I've run innumerable batches of beach cobble in my Vibe 5 and yes ruined one bowl because I used too large a rock and it became lodged enough to grind a groove, but this could happen to any vibe bowl. There is lots of guidance on this forum, but you have to be careful to distinquish comments related to vibes (fast) and rotary machines (slow). Whatever route you go, its a great hobby with lots of directions it can lead for family interactions and recreation.
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Post by Rockindad on Jul 13, 2019 20:42:40 GMT -5
The best advice I can give you: spend some time here reading not only current but past threads, there is a virtual library here. Use the search function when you want to investigate a particular subject in more detail. How to's- plenty of those on here. Many discussions exist on types of tumblers (sizes, brands, etc.). You may have a lot to learn but it is no more than what anybody new to this hobby has to. If you read through some of the historical posts you will find that members who are now very accomplished tumblers had the same questions you have.
Good luck to you and your daughter, I do this with my son and it has been extremely rewarding!
Al
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Post by MsAli on Jul 13, 2019 23:53:02 GMT -5
Hi and welcome
Al gave you some really good advice about searching the threads.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jul 14, 2019 7:00:51 GMT -5
Lots of good advice above. For what it’s worth, I have both a Lortone 33b and a Thumler’s AR2. I love the Lortone and I don’t like the Thumlers. As for rotary vs. vibratory, Here’s a link that shows my experiments in using a vibe alone. Peruano pointed out if you go this route, you’ll need to carefully select pre rounded beach or river rock. My experiment shows what happens with rougher rock. If you’d like to see the whole process I usually use, with both a rotary and a vibe, check out the video below.
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Post by miket on Jul 14, 2019 7:16:58 GMT -5
Welcome from Nebraska! I have the 33b too and I really like it. I also have the qt66 and like it too. I don't have a beach or rivers to collect from so I have rotary tumblers. Eventually I'd like to get a vibe for stages after coarse. It does take a while in the ratary tumblers but when your addiction fully takes hold you'll find other things to do with rocks. 😀
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remist17
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2019
Posts: 4
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Post by remist17 on Jul 14, 2019 7:59:24 GMT -5
Thank you all. I was looking at the MP-1. Has anyone had bad luck with this? I'm going to start looking at the library here and see what I can find.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,666
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Post by Fossilman on Jul 18, 2019 9:05:01 GMT -5
I like my Lortones!
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