whyofquartz
spending too much on rocks
So, Africa is smaller than I expected...
Member since December 2019
Posts: 317
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Post by whyofquartz on Feb 18, 2020 9:46:50 GMT -5
As best i can figure there is not an easy way to search the forum for this so i will just ask. Are any tumblers that are not Lortone, Thumlers, Lott-o, or covington worth a second look? the reviews on the tumble bee, wirejewelry, Green, and leegol all indicate they are junk.
the shortcomings of the Hazard Fraught / Chicago Electrocutes have been pretty well documented, but i kind off need(as in would sell organs for) more tumblers / lapidary equipment but i only have about $150 so i don't want to waste it. plaese halp! (note: my tumbling set up is in the garage so noise is not a big concern but reliability is)
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Post by knave on Feb 18, 2020 10:07:12 GMT -5
My .02... save a little more and get the 1 barrel loto you won’t be sorry. Otherwise you have enough to buy the TV-5 which several have used with success. May need a new bowl every few years with the TV-5.
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Post by joshuamcduffie on Feb 18, 2020 10:27:54 GMT -5
Keep your eyes open for a good used one.
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Post by captbob on Feb 18, 2020 10:38:09 GMT -5
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Post by knave on Feb 18, 2020 10:54:23 GMT -5
I can see your avatar
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,687
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 18, 2020 10:57:57 GMT -5
I unusually buy used and if they need to be rebuilt, your still saving cash! I always saved up and bought the best on the market and stayed away from junk.. It took a bit longer, but payed off....
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Post by joshuamcduffie on Feb 18, 2020 11:05:00 GMT -5
Don't forget that the tumbler purchase is only the tip of the iceberg. In the long run, you'll spend way more on grit and raw material, unless you have a good source of free rocks. Also, the bigger you go, the more the material will cost to keep you running. I'm just realizing how expensive it will be (and time consuming) to run two 12 lb. barrels, versus one 1 lb. barrel.
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Post by joshuamcduffie on Feb 18, 2020 11:07:03 GMT -5
I also want to mention that you won't want to waste your time, electricity and grit money on tumbling junk rocks. You'll want to invest the several weeks or months in tumbling quality raw material.
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Post by knave on Feb 18, 2020 11:10:58 GMT -5
I also want to mention that you won't want to waste your time, electricity and grit money on tumbling junk rocks. You'll want to invest the several weeks or months in tumbling quality raw material. Not fun to spend all that time and effort and be dissatisfied with the results.
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Post by knave on Feb 18, 2020 12:01:39 GMT -5
It can be fun to see which of your local rocks polish well. If nothing else they can be good filler for future tumbles. But if you get a tumbler the rocks will come. They just do.
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Post by joshuamcduffie on Feb 18, 2020 12:33:57 GMT -5
It can be fun to see which of your local rocks polish well. If nothing else they can be good filler for future tumbles. But if you get a tumbler the rocks will come. They just do. Yes, they will come by the flat-rate-box full!
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whyofquartz
spending too much on rocks
So, Africa is smaller than I expected...
Member since December 2019
Posts: 317
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Post by whyofquartz on Feb 18, 2020 13:08:42 GMT -5
Don't forget that the tumbler purchase is only the tip of the iceberg. In the long run, you'll spend way more on grit and raw material, unless you have a good source of free rocks. Also, the bigger you go, the more the material will cost to keep you running. I'm just realizing how expensive it will be (and time consuming) to run two 12 lb. barrels, versus one 1 lb. barrel. I already have a Lortone 3a and I only tumble self collected rocks(I have some captive bred Apetite but i haven't started on it yet) and i have about 8 3lb coffee cans and a 5gal washtub full of rocks plus other caches around. I am trying to decide between a bigger tumbler for bigger rocks or more tumblers for more rocks. though manofglass recommended building one which kind if solves both those problems.
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Post by joshuamcduffie on Feb 18, 2020 13:14:04 GMT -5
At this point, I'd recommend more tumblers for more flexibility. I've got a large homebuilt one, but someone else built it. I'd like to build my own, just for the experience.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Feb 18, 2020 16:05:36 GMT -5
I've built 14 tumblers ranging from 1 quart single barrel to double 5-gallon set, some for me, some for others; I'm talking rotary machines. I've found a person can build a more durable machine than you can buy, for a lot less money too. My opinion, if the materials for the barrels are available locally, jamesp builds the best for the money. I built mine with a stud attachment for the end cap because the PVC parts aren't easily available here.
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whyofquartz
spending too much on rocks
So, Africa is smaller than I expected...
Member since December 2019
Posts: 317
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Post by whyofquartz on Feb 18, 2020 16:35:56 GMT -5
I've built 14 tumblers ranging from 1 quart single barrel to double 5-gallon set, some for me, some for others; I'm talking rotary machines. I've found a person can build a more durable machine than you can buy, for a lot less money too. My opinion, if the materials for the barrels are available locally, jamesp builds the best for the money. I built mine with a stud attachment for the end cap because the PVC parts aren't easily available here. care to elaborate on the stud attachment? i will have to go over to the DIY equipment section and look for some tutorials
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whyofquartz
spending too much on rocks
So, Africa is smaller than I expected...
Member since December 2019
Posts: 317
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Post by whyofquartz on Feb 18, 2020 16:53:48 GMT -5
ass-u-me-ing I could incorporate a tensioner(a safe assumption btw) would a serpentine belt be a good way of making sure multiple levels of barrels all turn the same speed? or am i better off with multiple belts and pulleys on alternating ends. i just don't like loose belts and i want changing them to be reasonably easy
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Post by knave on Feb 18, 2020 16:56:30 GMT -5
Tensioners are ok but many high rpm commercial building blowers have no auto tension device, and we can walk the belts on and off no problem and they are plenty tight. You don’t want “key of C” tightness anyway.
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whyofquartz
spending too much on rocks
So, Africa is smaller than I expected...
Member since December 2019
Posts: 317
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Post by whyofquartz on Feb 18, 2020 17:07:03 GMT -5
Tensioners are ok but many high rpm commercial building blowers have no auto tension device, and we can walk the belts on and off no problem and they are plenty tight. You don’t want “key of C” tightness anyway. well more of a de-slacker than a tensioner, just an extra pulley that either has some spring tension on it or moves. i do have access to a router, i could route a slot and have a movable idler. i was just drawing out how i would run the belt and if i would run 6 pulleys in the same direction i think i can.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,173
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Post by jamesp on Feb 18, 2020 17:12:11 GMT -5
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Post by joshuamcduffie on Feb 18, 2020 18:34:13 GMT -5
jamesp is that shaft something General Sherman left behind when he burned Atlanta?
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