Post by MrCoffee on Dec 30, 2005 23:08:27 GMT -5
I'm just getting back into the hobby, after a 20 year absence. I originally had a Lortone 3A, and eventually purchased a QT-6. The old 3A died one day, and eventually got replaced with a Skilcraft found at some hardware store. A few years later, I made the mistake of selling the QT-6 and Skilcraft at some rummage sale my grandmother had going. Neither of us understood the true value of what I had parted with so cheaply, that is, untill I started looking up the price of a new tumbler!
My old 4th grade instructor gave me the Lortone 3A-NR (a 1969 vintage) that used to sit in the class room back when I was one of his students. It had a burnt out motor, and needed a few parts. After sitting around for a few years, I finally ordered a new motor from Lortone for the thing, as well a new motor belt, knurled nut for the barrel, and some new foot pegs (the old ones had rotted off). Needless to say, the old barrel is still good! The cost of repairs on the old thing turned out being half the amount of a new 3A. It's rusty and could use some new paint, but I'm sure it'll be trusty. I'm gonna use this rusted old klunker with a new motor on my first batch of green moss agate and Lake Superior mix.
And now, a question: I want to replace that nice QT-6 that I was dumb enough to let go to some bargain hunter for such a cheap price (I won't disclose what I sold it for, too depressing). I could swing for a Covington Roll-n-Tumble half gallon unit, which I of course have been salavating over for many years. Has anybody tried one of these? I want something that I can use to grind down the rocks before doing the final "sanding" on old "Trusty Rusty" (the Lortone). I'll probably splurge on a Gy-Roc Vibrahone some time in the near future to get a good ultra-gloss finish on apache tears later.
Also, I lust over a nice combo unit to do some cutting with on the small stuff before tumbling, and maybe even some cabbing. Covington seems to have a nice table-top horizontal unit (it has a plate similar to a faceting machine and apparently is quite versitile). Or, I could get a Lortone LU-6, or maybe even Covington's (much coveted by me) 6" combo unit with the saw.
If anybody knows about all this stuff, or had eny experience with it, let me know. I am probably going nuts and may burn a hole in my wallet if I get it. Maybe I could recoup some of this investment by selling my finished products at a flea market some place. Who knows? Can someone perhaps enlighten me? Thanks for all your help!
MrCoffee
My old 4th grade instructor gave me the Lortone 3A-NR (a 1969 vintage) that used to sit in the class room back when I was one of his students. It had a burnt out motor, and needed a few parts. After sitting around for a few years, I finally ordered a new motor from Lortone for the thing, as well a new motor belt, knurled nut for the barrel, and some new foot pegs (the old ones had rotted off). Needless to say, the old barrel is still good! The cost of repairs on the old thing turned out being half the amount of a new 3A. It's rusty and could use some new paint, but I'm sure it'll be trusty. I'm gonna use this rusted old klunker with a new motor on my first batch of green moss agate and Lake Superior mix.
And now, a question: I want to replace that nice QT-6 that I was dumb enough to let go to some bargain hunter for such a cheap price (I won't disclose what I sold it for, too depressing). I could swing for a Covington Roll-n-Tumble half gallon unit, which I of course have been salavating over for many years. Has anybody tried one of these? I want something that I can use to grind down the rocks before doing the final "sanding" on old "Trusty Rusty" (the Lortone). I'll probably splurge on a Gy-Roc Vibrahone some time in the near future to get a good ultra-gloss finish on apache tears later.
Also, I lust over a nice combo unit to do some cutting with on the small stuff before tumbling, and maybe even some cabbing. Covington seems to have a nice table-top horizontal unit (it has a plate similar to a faceting machine and apparently is quite versitile). Or, I could get a Lortone LU-6, or maybe even Covington's (much coveted by me) 6" combo unit with the saw.
If anybody knows about all this stuff, or had eny experience with it, let me know. I am probably going nuts and may burn a hole in my wallet if I get it. Maybe I could recoup some of this investment by selling my finished products at a flea market some place. Who knows? Can someone perhaps enlighten me? Thanks for all your help!
MrCoffee
I hope you find the equipment you are looking for at a decent price. You might get more replies in the general rock board where more folks will see your questions 
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