tkahn
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2008
Posts: 1
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Post by tkahn on Mar 31, 2008 20:48:39 GMT -5
I am thinking about buying a rock tumbler, but I'm not sure what size is appropriate. This will just be for fun, so I don't need to do a lot of rocks at the same time. I'd like to be able to polish rocks up to about 2.5 inches long. From what I've read the smaller tumblers that hold about 3-4 pounds can only take rocks up to about 1 inch long. Is that correct? What is the smallest tumbler that can hand one or two 2.5 inch rocks at a time, mixed together with a bunch of smaller rocks? Also, is there any difference between rotating and vibrating tumblers in this regard? Can one of them take larger rocks than the other in a given tumbler size?
Thanks for any advice.
Ted Kahn
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Post by Bikerrandy on Mar 31, 2008 21:41:13 GMT -5
A lortone 6 pound tumbler should do just fine. With the vibes, you'd probably need a ten pounder to do rocks that size. Also, a vibe will polish the rock without changing the shape. (in other words, the rock won't be rounded like it will after it comes out of a rotart tumbler) I have both a vibe and a rotary, but everything that goes into my vibe is pre-shaped first. To be honest, I like my vibe the best, but with alot of trial and error, I have learned a few tricks, and have picked up some from other board members as well.
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Post by deb193redux on Mar 31, 2008 22:00:58 GMT -5
2.5" is about the largest you could put into a 4.5# Lot-O with other smaller rocks. maybe a few of them if they were flat and not too wide, but likely only 1 if it was rounded. I once put a golf-ball sized thunderegg in my Lot-O.
Randy's comment about a 6# rotary seems correct.
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chassroc
Cave Dweller 
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Apr 3, 2008 12:17:28 GMT -5
I'm sure you can tumble a rock or even two that size in a 3# barrel. The key is to have enough smaller rocks and fragments to promote interaction. As long as the rocks can rise along the side of the barrel and tumble down you will get that action.
csroc
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Post by parfive on Apr 3, 2008 13:58:05 GMT -5
Ted - A 3 lb tumbler will do one or two rocks that size no problem. Anything bigger (the tumbler, that is) won't be "just for fun" . . . more grit, more rocks, more grit, etc. Kinda like teenagers and food.
And you want a rotary tumbler to shape the rocks first, not a vibe.
Thumlers: Model T, or AR-1, or the two barrel AR-2
Lortone: 3A, or the two barrel 33B
Rich
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