sgemmett
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2009
Posts: 24
|
Post by sgemmett on Mar 24, 2009 12:31:00 GMT -5
Found one of these on craigslist for a whole $10. Brought it home, loaded it up and got another 3 lbs of rock grinding away with some coarse grit. I will comment that is turns noticeable faster than my A-R2.
I know where this fits in in the Thumler's lineup as the entry level tumbler but is there anything in particular wrong with it? It's got a 3 lb barrel just list the A-R1. Should I be embarrassed to be seen playing with a 'toy' tumbler?
Thanks,
Scott
|
|
|
|
Post by parfive on Mar 24, 2009 13:36:04 GMT -5
Embarrassed? . . . Hell, no. And it ain't no toy tumbler.
Model T is perfect for rough grind with 60/90. Mine all run 50 - 55 rpm, saving considerable time with all the re-charges needed. I use the slower AR-2 for all the other steps - 500 to polish.
Check a load after four or five days to see how fast the 60/90 breaks down in your setup. If the grit's worn out by then, no need to let it run for a week. Just clean and re-charge. Running for days after the grit's shot is senseless, just a waste of time.
Rich
|
|
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
|
Post by Mudshark on Mar 24, 2009 15:53:25 GMT -5
The model T is what I bought after I gave up on the cheap Chicago electric tumblers I started with all crapped out on me.It's a great little unit and I picked up a couple others along the way and would grab up another if the price was right.For ten bucks you got a great deal.
Mike
|
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Mar 24, 2009 18:40:13 GMT -5
The only difference between the AR-1 and T is the T has a skeleton frame motor like the little Lortones and a thinner belt. The AR-1 is heavier duty (just like the AR-2 with only one barrel). I'd say the T is better than the single drum Lortone just because the bearings are much better. I wouldn't feel ny shame using it. And, $10 is a steal.
|
|
sgemmett
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2009
Posts: 24
|
Post by sgemmett on Mar 25, 2009 11:45:50 GMT -5
Guess I could have added a smiley face next to the embarrassed comment to convey my reason for saying that..... ;D
It just seems strange for a company to offer 2 so similar products (AR1 and Model T) so much so I wondered if the 'lite' duty one had some particular negative I didn't know about. Thanks for the input on this. Now I just need to find a Model B to add to the stable.
Scott
|
|
rockin50
off to a rocking start
Rock Tumbling - It's worth the wait!
Member since February 2009
Posts: 24
|
Post by rockin50 on Mar 27, 2009 18:51:01 GMT -5
I agree ... The AR-1 is a fine machine. Had mine for 25 yrs and just got back into tumbling ... It's doing a fine jo!
|
|
