Need newbie suggestions for tumbler

A vibratory tumbler would be great for her as long as she has some help. These things have to be monitored constantly. The biggest problem (I've seen this) with a rotary tumbler and an 8 year old is the weeks and sometimes months that it takes to properly do a good batch of stones. After the first week, they'll lose interest. At least with a vibe, they can physically see the progress, which will keep them interested. The downside is that they're noisey, but great if you have a garage to keep them in. For a vibratory tumbler (for an 8 year old), I'd probably go with the lot-o tumbler. For a rotary, maybe the Lortone 3a. Both of these tumblers will do smaller batches (like three pounds of rough). For bigger loads, the Thumblers UV-10 vibratory tumbler will do a ten pound batch, and the Lortone QT-6 rotary will do a 6 pound batch. Here's a website for you to check out, this guy's name is Shawn and he's the absolute biggest help when it comes to purchasing a tumbler.... great customer service!! www.therockshed.com/tumbler4.html

I would buy a larger rotary for initial grinding as this step is better done in a rotary and about as quickly accomplished. you can also buy preground tumbling material from some vendors for a small surcharge, with a higher end yield a most of the removed material comes off in the first grind. The Chicago Electric tumblers sold en masse on eBay would be great machines if they didn't come with lousy motors and belts. FOrtunateluy, you can replace these with lortone parts as they are such close knock-offs of the Lortones and build a respectable machine that's actually superior to off-the-shelf fLortones. Teh CE barrels are identical but thicker, and take Lortones lids, etc. The CE has an on-off switch and a heavier cord, with metal, not plastic, bearings. i rebuilt mine and it's done just great- for less than the cost of aNew Lortone. In any case, buy a bigger machine than you think you'll need, with multiple barrels as lapidary pursuits tend to mushroom. I'm building a 15 pounder and already have 2 6lb double barrels and a 12lb Portone, with a 5lb Raytech vibe running most of the time. you need less capacity in the vibes as they work much faster after the initial grind and use mucgh less grit. Have fun and Merry Chriostmas!

Mark H.