bochley
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2008
Posts: 3
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Post by bochley on Nov 20, 2008 22:07:50 GMT -5
Hello, I was searching the internet for tumblers other than Lorotone and Thumler and came across a rock tumbler on Ebay. It has a 1 gallon barrel and claims to be able to tumble 3/4s of a gallon of rocks or 15 lbs. Not sure who manufactures this tumbler but the sellers store is called Ball Mills n Rock Tumblers. Just wondering if anyone has used one of their tumblers and what their opinion of it is? Thanks.
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navi
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 229
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Post by navi on Nov 20, 2008 22:46:23 GMT -5
did you check their feedback? i somebody bought one and it's crap, they would have said it in the feedback.
just a thought....
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 716
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Post by docharber on Nov 20, 2008 23:10:36 GMT -5
They aren't just no-name tumblers. They're pricey. I would stick with a well known berand. I just bought a nice lightly used Lortone QT12 for $35 plus $20 shipping. And, yes, check the feedback. It isn't enough that it's good- make sure there's plenty of it. Mark H.
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1rockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 286
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Post by 1rockhound on Nov 20, 2008 23:24:40 GMT -5
Those tumblers are expensive but they are built very well with a lot larger motor and better bearings than what you get with lortone or thumler. They are the manufacturer of the tumblers and they market them through ebay and there website and through rock and gem magazine. I personally would not purchase it just for the reason there is only one barrel and I could build the same thing for half the price.
Jason
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Nov 21, 2008 1:37:27 GMT -5
Here is a link to the ebay store. stores.ebay.com/Ball-Mills-N-Rock-TumblersIt does look fairly solid and the 99.9% feedback backs that up, but I'm with 1rockhound. You could build it cheaper if you have the mechanical ability, but you could say that about any tumbler. Tumblers are however really easy to build . The barrel looks like PVC pipe which will last well but is really noisy, but once again if you build one that is the best way I know of to make a barrel. Really it looks like a well made homebuilt unit, you just have to decide between pay or build as I see it.
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Post by Michael John on Nov 21, 2008 1:59:12 GMT -5
Consider buying a vibe instead of rotary tumbler. You'll process 4x the material in a given amount of time (2 weeks per batch versus 2 months per batch). That means that you spend 1/4 of the amount of electricity to do each batch! Also, a vibe uses a lot less grit, so you save money that way, too. Compared to a rotary, a vibe actually pays for itself in a very short time.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Nov 21, 2008 10:04:40 GMT -5
But, and it's a big but, a vibe won't round the stones the way a rotary will (see Connrock's recent Lot-O threads). Many (most?) of us with vibes use a rotary for the rough grind.
Chuck
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Nov 21, 2008 10:12:02 GMT -5
It looks like the 15 lb. tumbler is comparable in price to a Thumler's Model B. Chuck
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Post by akansan on Nov 21, 2008 10:54:39 GMT -5
There are a couple people on the board that have these tumblers, and if I remember correctly, the manufacturers stand by their product. Basically, someone worked out a new tumbler design and decided to create a new tumbler. Right now it's not a name brand, but they've only been on the market really for about two years.
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Nov 21, 2008 12:03:14 GMT -5
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Post by parfive on Nov 21, 2008 12:11:12 GMT -5
Hey Mel - How did that bearing fix ever work out?
Rich
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