beachcomber1
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 60
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Post by beachcomber1 on Mar 6, 2009 20:50:05 GMT -5
I am looking to buy a Lortone Model 33B or Lortone Model 3-1.5B. I just don't know what size drums I am going to need. I mainly going to be collecting Moonstone ,Agate and Quartz on the North shore of Long Island. I am looking for some experience members for some help.
Any input will be very helpful.
Thanks.
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Post by 150FromFundy on Mar 6, 2009 21:20:47 GMT -5
Get the model with the larger barrels.
One thing I learned (just after I bought my rotary tumbler) is that a 3lb barrel will only hold 2lb of rock. The weight of the barrel, the water, and the pellets must all be factored in to ensure that the total weight of the barrel does not exceed 3lb. This should allow you to tumble anywhere from 25 pieces to 50 pieces of 1/2" to 1" tumble mix. If you exceed the weight, you may burn out your motor. Motors can be replaced, but ...
I'm guessing that the 1.5lb barrel would only let you tumble 1lb of rock.
If you are like many (or most) you will soon become obsessed (or addicted) to rock collecting and tumbling. When you see your results, you will then likely want to try slabbing, trimming and cabbing. General rule of thumb, buy as big as you can afford. Have fun!
Get ready for many opinions to be offered. This is a fantastic support group, and many will want to see you get of to a good start.
150FromFundy
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller 
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,105
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Post by Thunder69 on Mar 6, 2009 21:39:29 GMT -5
If you want to look around look here first therockshed.com/index.htmlThey are fantastic and reasonable ... they also can get it to you quickly...I bought my 12 pounder and a few other things from them....John |
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beachcomber1
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 60
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Post by beachcomber1 on Mar 6, 2009 21:40:49 GMT -5
Thank you 150FromFundy for the input. Do you think I should buy a single 3lb drum or get the 2 3lb drum.
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beachcomber1
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 60
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Post by beachcomber1 on Mar 6, 2009 21:49:03 GMT -5
Hay thunder69 that is exactly where I am looking to buy the tumbler from. Thanks for that info and I am glad I am on the right page to buy my tumbler from.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 6, 2009 22:49:18 GMT -5
If you can afford it go with the double 3 lb. You'll be really glad later.
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mattrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2009
Posts: 11
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Post by mattrocks on Mar 7, 2009 0:17:58 GMT -5
I started with a 3A in Oct. 08, got a 33B for christmas, ordered an extra barrel a couple of days ago. The more the better. Once you get started you just can't stop. Good luck and lets us know what you got.
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Post by 150FromFundy on Mar 7, 2009 7:00:55 GMT -5
Definately get the twin-barrel model. It allows you to run two simultaneous cycles as you progress through the four step process. -OR- You can run two simultaneous Step 1's and accumulate rock for the later stages. With a 30% reduction in rock volume in Step 1, many people will accumulate rock to top up Step 2, rather than add pellets to make up the necessary volume.
Another thing to think about (not that you don't already have enough). Many people will buy extra barrels (one for each step) to ease cleaning requirements and avoid contamination of grit and polish. This is not necessary if you are a meticulous cleaner. As you can see, this hobby (obsession) can get costly.
You may want to start simple, to see if you're truely hooked. Given the name beachcomber1, I'm guessing you already collect rock and are probably aready half-way there.
Good luck.
150FromFundy
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beachcomber1
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 60
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Post by beachcomber1 on Mar 7, 2009 8:00:49 GMT -5
150FromFundy
I am going to shock you I do not have one rock in my possession. I am a surf fisherman and a co-worker turned me on to rock hounding over the winter. This last snow storm set me back and I have cabin fever big time. I am reading about rock tumbling and what type of rock is available for me to hunt for on Long Island and what it looks like in the rough. Well it looks like it's the 33B is the one to buy. I thank every one for the input they gave me. Cannot wait to make my first batch and show every one.
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Mudshark
fully equipped rock polisher
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,083
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Post by Mudshark on Mar 7, 2009 9:20:19 GMT -5
I'm on the other side of the pond in southern Ct.I would like to hear about any info you come up with about rockhounding in this area.The 33b is a great choice,but be careful,they tend to multiply!
Mike
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Post by LCARS on Mar 7, 2009 14:03:53 GMT -5
The 33B is definately a highly recommended starter tumbler. It's the most affordable and versatile model to begin with. Most people here would recommend using one barrel for the silicon carbide grit stages and the other for the Aluminum oxide pre-polish and polish stages, or even ordering a spare barrel so you have one for polish only.
You will soon find out that once you start a stage, you will be waiting at least a week before doing anything else with it so it's good to have another barrel to start on in the meantime. If you alternate your tumble batches so they are at different stages you can have a batch coming out of polish every two to three weeks instead of once a month or two.
I started with a 3A single barrel about five years ago that I "inherited" and soon afterward i bought the 33b so now I can have as many as 3 barrels running at a time and that seems to be adequate for my needs.
A few side notes about the 3A & 33B models, the 3A generally rotates the barrels betweeen 48-56RPM whereas the 33b turns them a bit slower at around 40-48RPM. The faster rotation speed is better for the rough grinding stages and the slower speed is better for prepolish and polish stages so I actually start my batches on the 3A and move them over to the 33B later on.
Another thing, the 3A seems to have a very robust motor and is very reliable whereas the 33B has only a slightly more powerful motor and is geared a bit lower (thus the slower speed). The other thing I seemed to notice is that the belt the 33B's come with seems to be too large for the pulleys and doesn't last very long compared to the 3A but it DOES have to do more work with double the weight load on it. I have found a local supplier that sells belts the same size but thinner in diameter and these tend to last longer for me. Aside from needing a bit more love when it comes to maintaining proper operation, the 33B is still an aweasome unit and I wouldn't trade mine for anything!
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beachcomber1
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 60
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Post by beachcomber1 on Mar 8, 2009 7:28:25 GMT -5
Hay mudshark I will stay in touch with you on how I do out here.
John
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fisherman510
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 113
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Post by fisherman510 on Mar 8, 2009 9:09:33 GMT -5
My first tumbler was an Thumbler's Thumbler Mdl AR-2, with 2 3 lb drums. Real soon, it wasn't big enough so I got a Mdl B with a 12 lb drum, course then a UV10 vibe. I do 60-90 in the Mdl B, 120-220 in the AR-2 then pre-polish and polish in the vibe. The only real problem I have had is getting a good seal on the AR-2 drums. I have started putting a little vasaline around the outside edge of the top. Seems to help. I will at some point replace the Ar-2 with another Mdl B and use the AR-2 for small special batches. My idea is to go for the biggest that you can afford.
Bob
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 8, 2009 9:43:43 GMT -5
If anyone has problems with the Lortone belts I found out this January the Thumler's belts are same diameter but thinner and a tougher material. I picked up two used 33B and a 45C from another dealer at Cloud's and every belt was stretched to the point the barrels wouldn't turn anymore. I'm assuming they were the stock Lortone belts. They were black and thick. I installed Thumler's belts (Model A/B) I had left over from when I was a Thumler's dealer and they were all running well when they went off to their new homes.
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Mar 12, 2009 15:11:04 GMT -5
Another tumbler, another opinion! Here's mine:
Like many others here, I started with a Lortone 3A. Then I added a 33B. That works well because all the parts are interchangeable. I added another 33B before moving up to some QT66s for the rough stages.
I think the 33B is an excellent way to go. You are much better off getting 2x3 lb. than 1x6 lb. at this point so that you can separate the stages. Consider buying a spare barrel or two at the same time to keep them separate; at the very least, keep one barrel dedicated only to the rough grind.
TheRockShed is an excellent place to buy. You get a discount on grit/rocks if you buy them at the same time as your tumbler, so keep that in mind. Have fun!
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