Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
Posts: 600
|
Post by Roan on Oct 6, 2008 19:50:01 GMT -5
I finally talked my DH into letting me get another rotary tumbler!!!!!
It's amazing the speed at which a little 4# vibe can process rocks as compared to how long it takes to get rough to the vibe stage.
So, my options are, I think, either the Lortone QT12, which is the 12# tumbler, or the Lortone QT66, which has the two 6# barrels.
I've read here and there that the bigger the barrel, the faster the rocks tumble. That true?
So, which would you choose? The 12# or the double 6#?
|
|
|
|
Post by Condor on Oct 6, 2008 21:19:49 GMT -5
I personally like the 12lb tumbler because you can tumble larger sized rocks. I've tumbled up to baseball size agates with good results. Of course you can only do one or two at a time, with the rest being regular size tumbling rough, but you still get excellent results.
Condor
|
|
Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
Posts: 600
|
Post by Roan on Oct 6, 2008 21:23:52 GMT -5
Dang, Condor, now I wish I could get two 12#ers! Y'know, I still have the little 3# and I could use that for my soft rock tumbles and then use the big guy for agates and stuff.
Anyone know how loud the 12# is compared to the 3#? I'm hoping I can keep it in the kitchen with the little one if it's quiet enough. I had to banish the vibe to the garage.
I guess I'm leaning towards the 6 pounders because I could run soft in one barrel and hard in another.
|
|
1rockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 286
|
Post by 1rockhound on Oct 6, 2008 21:34:16 GMT -5
It most likely will be banished to the garage..... I have a tumbler with three 12 pounders running and it is a little noisy and it's banished to the garage with the saw.
|
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Oct 6, 2008 21:45:31 GMT -5
I think the qt66. The diameter of both is the same and aside from fitting in the barrel, the ability to tumble depends on the diameter of the rock and the diameter of the barrel.
Anyway, I have 4 qt66 barrels (2 units) and do not feel too much need for qt12.
|
|
Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
Posts: 600
|
Post by Roan on Oct 6, 2008 22:11:02 GMT -5
Nod nod. I'm *really* leaning to the QT66 now and I need to order something pronto. I think I overloaded the 3# and the belt is stretched. I have extra belts, but I cleaned up, which means I can't find the dang things. So, I need new belts ASAP and if I'm gonna order those, heck I might as well order a new tumbler, too. Oh, and some more rock. And maybe some more grit. And maybe . . . The Rock Shed is gonna do well with me this week  |
|
Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
Posts: 600
|
Post by Roan on Oct 6, 2008 22:35:45 GMT -5
OMG, I did NOT know this!
The only difference between a QT12 and a QT66 insofar as the barrel sizes go is the diameter. In other words, if you have a QT66 and want a 12#, you can just buy the Lortone barrel and pop it in!!!!
Then you'd have a 6# and a 12# running! Talk about versatile!
AND the 12# barrel is only 56$ at The Rock Shed! You CANNOT beat that, IMO.
So, I've gone ahead and ordered the QT66, along with spare belts for it and my little 33A. And 5lbs of 60/90. . . and some angelite, OJ, Mexican lace, moonstone, more picture jasper, and some of that new red jasper they have.
HEAVEN!!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Toad on Oct 7, 2008 6:29:45 GMT -5
I don't know about faster, but like Condor I like the option of adding larger rocks - so QT12 is my vote. You can still tumble small rocks in the 12.
|
|
ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
|
Post by ejs on Oct 7, 2008 7:23:03 GMT -5
Roan: I recently bought a QT66. It is louder than my 33A, but the extra volume seems to be coming from the rocks themselves rather than the motor. I have Lortones A, 33B, 33B, and QT66 (7 barrels total) running in the basement. I can definitely hear them at the top of the stairs, but not if the door is closed.
The QT12 barrel does look like it will fit in the QT66 (I believe the have the same diameter but different height), but then you can run either the QT12 barrel or the two QT66 barrels, but not a 12 and a 6 at the time time (as you indicated in your post). Or do I have that wrong? I never thought of buiying a QT12 barrel. If I ever want to do some really big rough, I might give that a try. Good idea!
Let us know how it turns out.
|
|
|
|
Post by akansan on Oct 7, 2008 7:40:11 GMT -5
That's one of the reasons why the Thumler 12lb appeals to me more than the Lortone 12lb - the diameter of the barrel is bigger and longer, allowing larger rocks. With the Lortone, I don't think you would be safe adding anything larger than you would add to a 6lb. barrel because it really is just a doubled 6lb. barrel. You can do more rocks in the barrel, but you can't really do larger rocks. And from what I hear, I would also prefer octagon barrel shape on the Thumler.
|
|
Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
Posts: 600
|
Post by Roan on Oct 7, 2008 8:06:49 GMT -5
I think you're right in that you can't run the 12 with a 6, but I'll ask the Rock Shed to make sure.
As for larger rocks -- I really don't need to tumble larger, just more. Most of my "big" rocks are less than 2" in size and the majority of my tumbles are 5-10mm.
|
|
|
|
Post by Titania on Oct 7, 2008 8:11:40 GMT -5
I think you're right in that you can't run the 12 with a 6, but I'll ask the Rock Shed to make sure. As for larger rocks -- I really don't need to tumble larger, just more. Most of my "big" rocks are less than 2" in size and the majority of my tumbles are 5-10mm. I have a QT 66. I got a package deal that came with both a 12# barrel and 2 6# barrels. You're correct in that you can't run the 12 and a 6 at the same time. You either run the 12 or 2 6's. Honestly, I have yet to use my 12# barrel, as I prefer the flexibility of running two different grits at the same time. But, with what you're doing, I'd think the 12# would really come in handy. |
|
pebblepup
has rocks in the head
Succor Creek Thunder Egg
Member since July 2008
Posts: 515
|
Post by pebblepup on Oct 7, 2008 10:10:39 GMT -5
I just picked up a QT66 a couple of weeks ago. I like having the two barrels because I can run two different stages. Last night I just started stage two in one of the barrels. I have one rock in that barrel that is about 3" X 2" that is looking real good; so even the 6# barrel can do a big rock or two. The noise level is little bit louder but not much.
|
|
nansaidh
spending too much on rocks
Jewelry artist, graphic designer, dog lover, car nut (etc.)
Member since August 2008
Posts: 311
|
Post by nansaidh on Oct 7, 2008 11:47:59 GMT -5
Lucky you, Eileen!! Good DH - <pat pat pat>  Hooray!!! I hope santa brings me a 2-barrel 33b... you're thinking big, though! Congrats in advance on the addition of your new toys. Nancy |
|
Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
Posts: 600
|
Post by Roan on Oct 7, 2008 20:42:52 GMT -5
Thanks, Nancy!
I'm so darn picky about the stones I put on my trees that every time I buy some I just want to re-tumble them! They're either too big or not done right or SOMETHING! And, y'know, sometimes I just want to fill a darn tumbler with some cool stuff that's not for my trees.
Tumbler will be here Friday and I'm REALLY excited! I just hope this 33A will hold on until then. I've got it spinning but it's certainly not happy!
Eileen
|
|
Hooray!!! I hope santa brings me a 2-barrel 33b... you're thinking big, though! 
