Covington Tumblers -- opinions please

No experience, but I'm curious, too. I wouldn't mind having one of their 36 lb. tumblers.

Chuck

I have not used one myself. I sold a triple gallon unit to a commercial cutter. He liked it enough to want 12 more drums for a home built monster tumbler he was building. His opinion was the aluminum lid would wear out before the drum. They use a real v-belt and as with everything they build their tumblers are suitable for commercial use. Prices are a lot higher than Lortone but comparing say their 24lb unit to Diamond Pacific's 24 lb. is another story.

I apologize for resurrecting a thread that has had no response in several years. However, I am returning after a difficult move and a long period of inactivity with all my equipment in boxes. I recently got a call from a client/friend, and he wants me to start working on some Lake Superior agate. I informed him about the problems I had with my Lortone QT-66, and my having to sell it because I felt it was not fit for the type of job I was going to put it through.

With that said, I am opting for a Covington #255TUM, a downsized version of the #253TUM I had before (double half gallon, as opposed to a triple gallon machine). My older Covington unit rough-ground over 300 pounds of rock, over a two year period. I only had to replace a set of center nylon bearings once. The motor was fully up to task, with the amount of weight it had to carry. And, it worked VERY fast for a rotary. It would only take me six weeks to skin and round out a barrel of Monana agate, which eventually sold off along with the botswana and Lake Superior agate that was finished in the project. This older Covington unit now resides in Texas, owned by a commercial jewelry maker and rock collector. I am having to purchase one new, as opposed to used because they are very difficult to find on the market.

Durability: Covingtons are of a very durable cast aluminum frame, along with a powder-coated sheet metal shield for the motor and pulley. An automotive V-belt drives two pulleys on the front, turning both drive rods, instead of one of the rods serving as an idler while the other turns. The barrels are made of the same material that is used for road construction cones, a rubberized plastic that is reasonably quiet. The insides of the barrels have ridges that are very effective in turning stones end over end. The barrel lid is made of cast aluminum, and is very thick. It all clamps down with a stainless hose clamp. A standard screwdriver is sufficient to clamp the barrel tight. I have never had a problem with leaks on any Covington I've used, nor have I had a problem with escaping gas. I found the lids on my Covington to be easier to deal with than that of my Lortones. What I really like best, though, is the Covington tumbler's quality and durability. I also like how they look.

Again, my apologies for restarting such an old thread. However, there must be someone out there who can use this info. Take care.

MrCoffee

Sorry to re-hash an old thread, but...
I'm looking for a large size tumbler (12+ pounds of rock). I want the Lortone QT12, but they are unavailable.
I found a couple questionable sources for the Thumbler B (15 pound) but that is what I'm replacing (although the one I have is very old and gave good service.) I just don't know about the screw top lid, nor do I trust the online sources I found.
What does anyone know about the following:

Covington Engineering Deluxe 250. To me the barrel looks small.

Covington Engineering 251TUM. It has a 12 pound capacity.

I can't find any un-biased info on Covington rotary tumblers. Any input appreciated.

Also, does anyone know when the Lortone QT12 will become available through a reputable online dealer?