fuzz
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2008
Posts: 2
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Post by fuzz on Oct 19, 2008 23:16:41 GMT -5
I just found this site and I'm sure you guys can guide me. I want to polish maybe 4-6 three pound loads of rock per year for a specific project. I dug out my Lortone 3A-NR1 I bought back in 1977 and it still works although its missing the outer lid and barrel washer. I hope Lortone still has those available. I want to polish small beach rocks I find here in central California which are already somewhat rounded. I was reading the home page instructions and it says to have a separate barrel for each of 4 polishing stages. Could I get by by just having one barrel for the first three stages and a separate barrel for polish? Will the barrels they sell now still work in my old machine? I'll buy a new machine if I have to but was hoping to make the old one work. I want my stones to have the high polish shine so I'll do what's necessary to achieve that. Thanks for your help!
Fuzz
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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 19, 2008 23:46:04 GMT -5
Considering the smaller amounts that you will be tumbling, it will be just fine to use one barrel and clean, clean, clean between stages. I don't know much about barrel updates over the years, but the hobby is really addictive. You might be buying more equipment sooner than you thought.
Have fun.
Randy
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 19, 2008 23:49:10 GMT -5
The lid liner and other barrel parts are readily avialable. TheRockShed.com has good prices.
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Post by parfive on Oct 19, 2008 23:52:48 GMT -5
Welcome, Fuzz. No need to buy a new barrel for polish. Just clean the old one out thoroughly between stages. Best place to buy your parts: therockshed.com/partslortone.htmlCall Shawn and you'll probably have 'em in two days! When it comes to beach rocks, you'll find a lot of variability in how well they polish. Some take a nice polish and some don't - just not hard enough or too grainy. Rich |
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Post by Noosh9057 on Oct 20, 2008 10:53:03 GMT -5
Yes the new barrel will work in the old tumbler. Welcome to the site.
Roger
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Oct 20, 2008 12:43:15 GMT -5
Welcome, fuzz! It sounds like you are well positioned to accomplish your goal. I agree that you can get by with just one barrel. Scrub it well with a toothbrush between stages and rinse rinse rinse to make sure that no grit gets carried over. I second the recommendation of TheRockShed as a place to buy your missing parts. And remember, most of us started off with just a 3A and a small project in mind...  |
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1rockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 286
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Post by 1rockhound on Oct 20, 2008 12:54:33 GMT -5
You will be fine with one barrel.
I did the opposite of most people I found a used tumbler that runs three 15 pound barrels and had to buy a small tumbler just to polish.
Jason
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fuzz
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2008
Posts: 2
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Post by fuzz on Oct 20, 2008 20:15:17 GMT -5
Thanks for all your help! I called the Rock Shed and ordered parts and their grit kit. Its not quite the same size grits as described on the opening page but the man said it would work. I did have him substitute Cerium Oxide for Aluminum Oxide in case that would make the last bit of difference...(it only added $6). The beach rocks here are often quite beautiful, even in their unpolished state. Lots of jasper, quartz, agate type things. One beach I haven't been to is Moonstone beach, I assume named that because you can find them there. We have Jade Cove where enormous boulders of pure jade have been found and recovered by divers. I have watched large table top slabs being slowly sawn off a jade boulder that was about 3 ft. long and 2 ft. wide. I have found small pieces of jade at low tide on the beach. Farther north at Limekiln beach I found a boulder as big as a jumbo watermelon that was pure jasper. So, lots to work on!
Fuzz
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 21, 2008 1:23:27 GMT -5
... although, theRockShed AO is one fine AO.
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 716
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Post by docharber on Oct 25, 2008 15:26:06 GMT -5
Hey Fuzz-
Ditto. The Rock shed is a pretty good site. I haven't ordered from them yet but everyone on the board seems to have nothing but praise fopr them. I have bought grit in 5lb boxes from Grtaves Lapidary for reasonable prices.
judging from eBay, Lortone's small tumblers haven't changed in over a decade. You can find new/used barrels on eBay, too. Chicago Electric tumblers have the same size barrel and it will work fine on your Lortone. It's the only decent moving part on the CE tumblers. Lortone parts are carried by a number of dealers. I have ordered from Ace lapidary and gotten good prices and service. Lortone will provide parts, of course, but I found their prices higher(est). barrels are actually superior to the Lortione's. Good luck, and happy tumbling.
Mark H.
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 25, 2008 18:38:39 GMT -5
Just for the record. Moonstone Beach has beautiful little rocks but no moonstones at all. The agates that are lighter tones resemble actual moonstones but are not chatoyant feldspars. Just prety agates. You'll find larger beach rocks to the north at San Simeon, Piedras Blancas, etc.
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