darwinsflinch
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2023
Posts: 2
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Post by darwinsflinch on Oct 24, 2023 11:54:49 GMT -5
...while she is not paying attention.
Who am I kidding? After 40 years she always knows when to pay attention and this is no exception. I just fired up a Nat Geo hobby tumbler and I'm already looking to add a second to my workbench. I don't think I want to blow my retirement money yet and go high dollar, so kind of looking for thoughts between what I have and top-of-the-line.
Or, are there must-have accessories that she should be getting as stocking stuffers for me?
😁
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hplcman
spending too much on rocks
Looking forward to my Friday Night Barrel Clean out!
Member since August 2022
Posts: 494
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Post by hplcman on Oct 24, 2023 13:46:15 GMT -5
So it begins!
I have a Lortone 33B. It spins 2-3 pound barrels and is a tank. I have had it running 24/7 for over 2 years now and I absolutely love it. They're about $185 these days, but well worth the money if you ask me.
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scotydog826
starting to shine!
Member since July 2023
Posts: 41
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Post by scotydog826 on Oct 24, 2023 14:10:00 GMT -5
get a QT 66
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hplcman
spending too much on rocks
Looking forward to my Friday Night Barrel Clean out!
Member since August 2022
Posts: 494
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Post by hplcman on Oct 24, 2023 14:11:51 GMT -5
That's my dream tumbler! I'm saving up a few dollars a week to buy one of those! |
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Post by pebblesky on Oct 24, 2023 16:26:35 GMT -5
I am about to recommend a high-speed Rebel 17 which I use solely for stage 1, and it was $256 shipped, $100 cheaper than QT66. However, your wife could hardly not pay attention to it...
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hplcman
spending too much on rocks
Looking forward to my Friday Night Barrel Clean out!
Member since August 2022
Posts: 494
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Post by hplcman on Oct 24, 2023 18:06:57 GMT -5
I am about to recommend a high-speed Rebel 17 which I use solely for stage 1, and it was $256 shipped, $100 cheaper than QT66. However, your wife could hardly not pay attention to it... If you got the low-speed Rebel 17 could you do all the stages with it? |
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,622
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Post by dillonf on Oct 24, 2023 20:35:23 GMT -5
Lortone is a solid machine - I have 5 of them.
Some folks are buying the new Highland Park tumblers.
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ctxtumblebug
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 65
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Post by ctxtumblebug on Oct 24, 2023 21:55:26 GMT -5
I just got started at rock tumbling recently And I currently have three rotary tumblers and one vibratory tumbler. The rotary tumblers are a National Geographic single drum, A Chicago Electric (Harbor Freight) with two 3lb drums and a Thumler's Model B. The vibratory tumbler is a Chicago Electric (Harbor Freight) 18lb vibratory tumbler. Every one of those tumblers runs like a top all around the clock without a problem. The vibratory tumbler is really not designed for stage one rock tumbling but it does work very well for the polishing stage. People on here will knock those Harbor Freight tumblers but they do work very well for me.
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 24, 2023 22:29:46 GMT -5
You might get as many suggestions on a tumbler as there are members on the forum. Meaning...you'll get suggestions galore!
So...I'll address your last question...the stocking stuffer(s): A gift card to The Rock Shed. Period! LOL
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Post by pebblesky on Oct 25, 2023 11:16:55 GMT -5
I am about to recommend a high-speed Rebel 17 which I use solely for stage 1, and it was $256 shipped, $100 cheaper than QT66. However, your wife could hardly not pay attention to it... If you got the low-speed Rebel 17 could you do all the stages with it? I believe so and quite a few people here use low-speed Rebel 17 for all stages. I prefer a vibratory tumbler for later stages mainly because it is faster and it uses much less grit than a rotary. |
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Oct 25, 2023 11:34:34 GMT -5
I'm with pebblesky . After getting a QT12-which I am happy with-I have regrets. Wish I went with a high speed Rebel 17 for faster grinding. You could use the 33B for polishing stages in the interim, and work towards also acquiring a vibratory tumbler. That would be my ideal setup. *edit* I see I mistakenly thought you had a 33B. I don't think the NatGeo would be very good for polishing without modification, and likely wouldn't keep up with the Rebel. If you want to slow down the Nat Geo, check out an easy modification I did to my Nat Geo clone. Purchase [url=[blocked Amazon short link]3QtIeWs]this[/i]. It outputs 7.5V instead of the 12V that the original adapter outputs, so it slows down your motor. |
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Post by pebblesky on Oct 25, 2023 12:45:29 GMT -5
I'm with pebblesky . After getting a QT12-which I am happy with-I have regrets. Wish I went with a high speed Rebel 17 for faster grinding. You could use the 33B for polishing stages in the interim, and work towards also acquiring a vibratory tumbler. That would be my ideal setup. I am not sure if the high-speed Rebel 17 is actually faster in grinding. I remembered somebody did a comparison in high-speed and low-speed Rebel 17, and didn't see too much of a difference in grinding progress - maybe to fully utilize the high speed, one needs to recharge the grit twice a week instead of once a week? The Rebel 17 drum is also much heavier than a QT12 barrel, I guess. |
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Oct 25, 2023 12:52:41 GMT -5
Makes sense about the grit recharge, although I think velodromed does longer runs, maybe 10-14 days IIRC? I'm not sure how the drum weight factors into the equation though; could you explain here? |
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Post by pebblesky on Oct 25, 2023 16:27:05 GMT -5
Makes sense about the grit recharge, although I think velodromed does longer runs, maybe 10-14 days IIRC? I'm not sure how the drum weight factors into the equation though; could you explain here? Oh that extra weight of the drum is just one negative aspect of Rebel 17 compared to QT12. |
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Post by chris1956 on Oct 25, 2023 17:13:15 GMT -5
Makes sense about the grit recharge, although I think velodromed does longer runs, maybe 10-14 days IIRC? I'm not sure how the drum weight factors into the equation though; could you explain here? Oh that extra weight of the drum is just one negative aspect of Rebel 17 compared to QT12. The QT12 is plenty heavy enough for me. Probably as heavy with drum and load as I want to handle. But then I am getting old.  |
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Post by velodromed on Oct 25, 2023 21:54:49 GMT -5
Makes sense about the grit recharge, although I think velodromed does longer runs, maybe 10-14 days IIRC? I'm not sure how the drum weight factors into the equation though; could you explain here? Yup that’s about right. I use 12tbs of 30 and 6tbs 60 SiC. I find it’s done in 10 days typically, but often I’ll let it go a few days longer. I recycle the bottom 1/2-3/4 slurry each change out until it starts to stink or get too thick. I only use the rebel for course grit runs and have the higher speed 40rpm motor. I had mine running 24/7 since the beginning of the year, until we moved this week and I had to shut all down. I’m hoping to get back up and going tomorrow. Oh, it’s definitely heavy. 21-22lbs loaded. When I’m having neck issues it’s difficult. Thats when I let it run longer. |
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carnivore870
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2023
Posts: 15
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Post by carnivore870 on Oct 26, 2023 8:28:09 GMT -5
I started with the Nat Geo Hobby Tumbler and got a Lortone 33B. I can tell you the Lortone is much much much quieter than the Nat Geo. And... If you order through the rock shed, I got this 33B kit. It came with some tumbling rough, and all stages of grit, some plastic pellets, aaaaaaand you get Tootsie rolls. Price was $195 +S&H
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Oct 28, 2023 8:37:55 GMT -5
Be very careful. This is what happens:  THis isn't even current as this one has been added to the mix  as well as this one.  That is just the tumblers. There is also 3 saws, a cabbing units, several Dremel tools, lbs and lbs of rocks, grits, and buckets, strainers, cushioning products... |
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Post by catmandewe on Oct 28, 2023 18:25:51 GMT -5
I'm with pebblesky . After getting a QT12-which I am happy with-I have regrets. Wish I went with a high speed Rebel 17 for faster grinding. You could use the 33B for polishing stages in the interim, and work towards also acquiring a vibratory tumbler. That would be my ideal setup. I am not sure if the high-speed Rebel 17 is actually faster in grinding. I remembered somebody did a comparison in high-speed and low-speed Rebel 17, and didn't see too much of a difference in grinding progress - maybe to fully utilize the high speed, one needs to recharge the grit twice a week instead of once a week? The Rebel 17 drum is also much heavier than a QT12 barrel, I guess. The High speed Rebel 17 is designed for tumbling brass cartridges, the low speed Rebel 17 is designed for tumbling rocks. Tony |
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