wendy
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2008
Posts: 7
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Post by wendy on Aug 4, 2008 17:17:13 GMT -5
Hey, I'm new here and looking to buy my first rock tumbler as an adult. I had one as a kid and absolutely loved it. Now that my son is 5 and has shown interrest in my old tumbler(that no longer works) I want to purchase a new one. I will be using the tumbler while just allowing my son to watch each process and will turn this into a huge hobby for myself.
I like the idea of the double barrel, with each being a 3 lb capacity. For those that own one or may know, can you start a load in one of the barrels with the other being empty so that you can start a second load a week later or whenever the first load is finished with the first grit? I think it would be really cool if we didn't have to wait a whole month or so in between each load.
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tombodc
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2008
Posts: 88
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Post by tombodc on Aug 4, 2008 17:51:16 GMT -5
I bought a 3-barrel just for that reason. I hope that is possible as I am new I don't know for sure but I was given that impression...
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wendy
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2008
Posts: 7
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Post by wendy on Aug 4, 2008 18:36:37 GMT -5
Thanks for the comment. I really hope that is the case. Otherwise, I will probably just get a single 3lb barrel.
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Post by Condor on Aug 4, 2008 19:25:43 GMT -5
Welcome to this awesome site Wendy. Before I put in my 0.02 cents worth, let me say that I think starting this fun hobby with your kiddo is a great thing to do. That's the way I began twenty years ago and my kids still love rocks. They can even tell you where we found certain rocks. THe quality time you will spend with him will be beyond priceless. Especially if you go to rock shops or rock hunting. Now, back to your question. Yes, you can do that with the two barrels. In fact, there's all kinds of ways to work it out. Many people will fill both barrels because as the rocks go through the first stage they wear down and you need enough to keep the barrels just below being full. Others will use only one barrel and use the other strictly for the polishing stage. You won't get as much done this way because you are only using one barrel. As long as you wash the barrels thoroughly you can still go through the stages with both barrels. Keep on asking questions, there's many here with tons of knowledge.
Condor
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wendy
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2008
Posts: 7
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Post by wendy on Aug 4, 2008 21:21:50 GMT -5
Condor, thank you so much for your response! Looks like I will be getting the double barrel!  I see you are located in Texas...I'm in North Texas and only seem to find limestone. Where do you look for stones to tumble when you want to go hunting for them? |
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Larry
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 267
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Post by Larry on Aug 4, 2008 22:05:10 GMT -5
Hello and welcome wendy.
I am new as well, having only been tumbling for only 2 months now. I bought the double 3 lb Lortone myself. When I bought it, I heard a little bit of "don't run just one barrel" so I never did. I doubt it is problematic to do so and if the people here say it's ok, then it's ok.
One suggestion I would make is to buy an extra barrel. This way, you can have two running in the non-polish stages then just use the extra for polish only.
The process I started using, which I find is pretty efficient is to run both barrels in coarse then combine the ones that are ready for the next stage into one barrel and move them on. Then add more to the coarse stage in the other barrel with those that need more time. I have found that to provide a nice steady flow for me.
Adding to what Condor said... since the rocks break down, you will find your barrels going from 3/4 full to 1/2 full or lower by the end if you keep the same rocks together the whole way through. Having 2 barrels makes keeping a full load all the way through easy enough without the wait of a 1 barrel tumbler.
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Post by Condor on Aug 4, 2008 22:13:59 GMT -5
I go to a place called the Woodward Ranch. Look under the Trips and Shows Board and you will find the Woodward Ranch Blitz '09. Some of us from here get together out there and go and collect lots of agates. It's a great place for rock hunting. Other times I order rocks from rock shops. There are some good places to order rough rock such as the Rock Shed, superagates.com and kingsleynorth.com.
Condor
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wendy
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2008
Posts: 7
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Post by wendy on Aug 4, 2008 23:17:48 GMT -5
Thanks, Larry! That sounds like great advice!
Condor, thanks for the links! I plan on purchasing raw material, but I also like to collect my own. I find it more exciting when I actually find stones out in the "wild" and run them. I lived in Colorado as a kid, so we had pleanty of raw material in our backyard.
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