lablover2484
starting to shine!
Member since September 2008
Posts: 39
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Post by lablover2484 on Oct 9, 2008 16:40:39 GMT -5
I am having trouble with my current rock tumblers which are from harbor freight tools. they are Chinese made i think anyway they are breaking down, and I want to buy a couple real good tumblers. I have 2 dual 3lbs now. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
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randy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 117
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Post by randy on Oct 9, 2008 18:25:26 GMT -5
I have a single and a double three pounder from Thumlers and I just got my 9 pounder delivered today...also a Thumler. Many people like the Lortone brand as the lid is a bit easier to manage, but I have not had a problem with leaks or bad seals. I use an extra set of hands to assist with putting on the o-ring, and it seems to help.
The Thumler is a more simple design (I prefer the KISS method of product design...Keep It Simple Stupid). In addition, I read somewhere that Thumler uses a "better" quality iof motor. The two factors that I used to decide on the Thumler product over the Lortone (both companies are based here in my home state of Washington).
I have not used the Harbor Freight tumblers as the feedback that I have read is not very complimentary, and like you, I wanted a more reliable product.
Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.
Randy
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 9, 2008 18:35:03 GMT -5
I think Thumlers may have a slight edge over Lortone - espec in recent production runs.
I like the Lortone rollers better and the Thumers motor better.
If you can get a used Lortone QT66 or a used Thumler Model B - I would prefer the economy of used over either new.
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Post by akansan on Oct 9, 2008 19:08:54 GMT -5
I'm a Thumler's gal. I was all Thumlers until recently, when I picked up a couple Lortone 3As, but they've only reinforced my like of Thumlers. There's some sort of mod that uses the Lortone barrels on a Thumlers frame, which some people think is the best of both worlds. The only person that I know for a fact did it successfully doesn't post on the board anymore. And she never posted what the mod was!
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dscratch
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 214
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Post by dscratch on Oct 10, 2008 0:47:37 GMT -5
As others have mentioned: Go with Lortone or Thumblers. You'll have years of trouble free tumbling. I use Lortone. I've got a 3lb single, 3lb dual, and 4.5lb single. The 45N is about as old as I am, if not older, and actually runs better than I do.
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Post by Condor on Oct 10, 2008 17:22:57 GMT -5
I have 12lb and 9lb Thumlers that have been going strong for about 15 years now with no problems other than changing the lids and belts every now and then. I once bought a 3lb Lortone that lasted me less than a year.
Condor
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