markb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2022
Posts: 472
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Post by markb on Oct 27, 2022 22:08:04 GMT -5
I started my tumbling journey back in March of this year and although I was okay with rougher finished rocks in the beginning, I found myself always chomping at the bit to check the status of my tumblers too early. So, I've changed that focus. Now it's slow and steady, making sure the rocks are truly ready to move into Stages 2-4 in the vibe before coming out of Stage 1 with all/most of the pits/scratches long gone. So my wife was in the garage the other day and asked me why I had so many rocks sectioned off for Stage 1, and I explained my new focus. Then, she said it would probably take me a lifetime to get through them all with the Lortone 33B I had running, so why didn't I just get a new and bigger tumbler to help with that? Yeah baby, that works for me!! So in looking for something larger, I've been looking at the Thumler's Model B with the wingnut screw on top. Does anybody out there use this tumbler and what are your thoughts, pro's and con's? Also, can you comment on how loud it is, as I'll be running mine in the garage and we live in a duplex so it can't be overly loud. Lastly, how much grit are you putting into it if you are running a full batch? Thanks, markb
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 27, 2022 22:15:59 GMT -5
I've got one...but I don't have it running like it should. Nothing to do with the tumbler...just busy with other things.
I would recommend getting replacement wingnuts for the top. There's nothing physically wrong with them...they just hurt your thumbs when you try to tighten. I'd get "solid" wingnuts as a replacement.
I don't think it's loud AT ALL!
I put between 3/4 of a cup to a cup of grit...that's between 12 and 16 tablespoons (one per pound). I'm not claiming that's right...just what I do...
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brybry
Cave Dweller
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,220
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Post by brybry on Oct 27, 2022 22:16:24 GMT -5
Rebel 17 is the go to over a Thumlers Model B. It's beefier, built right and it's so quiet I didn't even realize it was running first time I turned it on.
I put in 14-18 Tablespoons of grit per load. With the larger tumblers, you can go to a heavier grit like 46/70 or even down to 30 grit.
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Post by pebblesky on Oct 27, 2022 23:06:36 GMT -5
Sorry didn't mean to hijack this thread.
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vance71975
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 760
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Post by vance71975 on Oct 28, 2022 0:04:40 GMT -5
I started my tumbling journey back in March of this year and although I was okay with rougher finished rocks in the beginning, I found myself always chomping at the bit to check the status of my tumblers too early. So, I've changed that focus. Now it's slow and steady, making sure the rocks are truly ready to move into Stages 2-4 in the vibe before coming out of Stage 1 with all/most of the pits/scratches long gone. So my wife was in the garage the other day and asked me why I had so many rocks sectioned off for Stage 1, and I explained my new focus. Then, she said it would probably take me a lifetime to get through them all with the Lortone 33B I had running, so why didn't I just get a new and bigger tumbler to help with that? Yeah baby, that works for me!! So in looking for something larger, I've been looking at the Thumler's Model B with the wingnut screw on top. Does anybody out there use this tumbler and what are your thoughts, pro's and con's? Also, can you comment on how loud it is, as I'll be running mine in the garage and we live in a duplex so it can't be overly loud. Lastly, how much grit are you putting into it if you are running a full batch? Thanks, markb If you can afford Grit In Bulk, and the Price tag, I would Second the Rebel 17 from my reading thus far tho I have never used either.
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howgneiss
starting to shine!
Member since May 2022
Posts: 25
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Post by howgneiss on Oct 28, 2022 11:08:58 GMT -5
I would highly recommend the Rebel 17, it is cheaper than the Model B and it is higher quality as far as I can tell. I've had mine running for months and it's amazingly quiet. The rubber lining is super thick and durable, but it can be removed for cleaning. There are six nuts to tighten on the lid, and they are super comfortable for me to grip. The seal is great as long as you clean it (I got lazy once and when I checked on it I just put the lid right back on without spraying the seal with a spray bottle and wiping with a paper towel, and quite a generous amount of slurry got all over the machine. Luckily, the way it is designed, you have to put the barrel where the lid is farthest away from the motor, so nothing got on it). The metal is super durable, and I love that it is black instead of (in my view) obnoxious red. Just make sure you get the one that is for rock tumbling and not the high speed one.
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nursetumbler
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2022
Posts: 981
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Post by nursetumbler on Oct 29, 2022 7:10:39 GMT -5
Just bought the Rebel 17 myself one was running in the shop. Quiet quiet quiet. Great bearings on the rollers. Kingsley North had them in stock Monday of this week.
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rockbrain
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Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,035
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Post by rockbrain on Oct 29, 2022 10:02:53 GMT -5
I have very limited experience. Like I haven't even completed a load in the Model B. I got a well used model B and a Loretone Qt12. I started my load in the Thumler then got the rebuild finished on the Loretone and switched to that. Aside from quality, noise or anything else what was really nice was after the 3rd round of stage 1 only about 1/2 of the rocks were ready to move on. (I had some pretty deeply pitted rocks) I Have 6 pound barrels with it. It was really nice to split the load up and send 1/2 on to stage 2 and 1/2 back through stage 1.
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brybry
Cave Dweller
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,220
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Post by brybry on Oct 29, 2022 21:15:28 GMT -5
Just bought the Rebel 17 myself one was running in the shop. Quiet quiet quiet. Great bearings on the rollers. Kingsley North had them in stock Monday of this week. You won't be disappointed 😁
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nursetumbler
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2022
Posts: 981
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Post by nursetumbler on Oct 29, 2022 21:40:02 GMT -5
Just bought the Rebel 17 myself one was running in the shop. Quiet quiet quiet. Great bearings on the rollers. Kingsley North had them in stock Monday of this week. You won't be disappointed 😁 brybryNow I just have to get it out of the car and out of the box. On my to do list tomorrow
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brybry
Cave Dweller
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,220
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Post by brybry on Oct 29, 2022 22:09:13 GMT -5
Lol, still working on getting off work.
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Oct 30, 2022 7:45:44 GMT -5
I have both a Thumler's Model B and a Rebel. The Rebel definitely wins in terms of how well it's made and quietness. The belt on the Rebel also seems to be slipping less than my Model B's belt slips, so that results in more barrels RPM's. The Rebel just shapes those rocks like crazy..SO much progress is made in a week's time. You will not be disappointed! As someone has already mentioned, be sure to get the rock tumbler version, not the high speed Rebel. Oh, almost forgot - I put 20 tablespoons of grit in both tumbler's. I could probably put more - the grit is "gone" in 5 days.
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Post by Son Of Beach on Oct 30, 2022 8:26:51 GMT -5
I have both a Thumler's Model B and a Rebel. The Rebel definitely wins in terms of how well it's made and quietness. The belt on the Rebel also seems to be slipping less than my Model B's belt slips, so that results in more barrels RPM's. The Rebel just shapes those rocks like crazy..SO much progress is made in a week's time. You will not be disappointed! As someone has already mentioned, be sure to get the rock tumbler version, not the high speed Rebel. Oh, almost forgot - I put 20 tablespoons of grit in both tumbler's. I could probably put more - the grit is "gone" in 5 days. Are you doing changeouts at 5 days then? I've still been doing 7 just out of habit.
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Oct 30, 2022 9:38:55 GMT -5
Son Of Beach - I'm still doing changeouts at 6 or 7 days, depending on my work schedule. After day 5, the rocks still seem well cushioned (at least, I haven't noticed any breakage) and hopefully a little more progress is made. I enjoy rinsing and checking my tumblers so much, I would really like to do it every 5 days, but my new work schedule gets in the way. Gotta work to pay for the grit I guess! I usually just use 46/70 SiC grit in the Rebel, but lately I've been substituting with some tablespoons of 36 SiC grit since I have to let it go a week before checking now. I can tell the lid liner is gonna have to be replaced a lot sooner, though! What size grit do you use in yours?
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Post by Son Of Beach on Oct 30, 2022 11:33:05 GMT -5
Hmm I've seen a couple posts about lower SiC like yours with success, but I've been sticking with 60/90 or 80 grit.
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nantucketdink
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 21
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Post by nantucketdink on Oct 30, 2022 12:37:35 GMT -5
I have a pair of model Bs and a Rebel 17 going constantly. The rebel is better in every way except for the belt that came with it. Nothing wrong with the Bs, rebel is just a more luxurious version for less money. Either one will serve you well.
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markb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2022
Posts: 472
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Post by markb on Oct 30, 2022 17:59:47 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. This is the information I wanted to know and I appreciate your feedback.
markb
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2022 22:15:39 GMT -5
markbYour wife is a sweet lady to encourage you in your rock endeavors!
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