Post by Jasper-hound on Jun 25, 2010 13:06:59 GMT -5
I have enjoyed reading the advice on this board and have decided to join. My girlfriend, Kate, has been desiring to get into tumbling big time, so I got out my old Chicago 3 pound tumbler and we tried a load. This tumbler had been given to my step kids years ago as a Christmas present, and they abandoned it. Things went fine but for all that waiting, there weren't very many rocks to show! So I went to Harbor Freight and bought the 6 pound tumbler (a ripoff of Lortone 33B) for $39.95. Reading on this board made me want a vibratory tumbler, and after much deliberation, I sprang for a Thumler's UV-10 Industrial from the Rock Shed.
Then, you can see my problem: even running the Chicago 3 and 6 pound tumblers did not provide enough material for the succeeding tumbling steps in the Ultravibe. As many of you know, the Ultravibe needs to be more than half full to move the rocks properly. I found that ceramic media helped but still desired more tumbling capacity at the earlier step one stage, which must be done in the rotary style tumbler, as I learned here. (Vibratory tumblers are great for finishing stones that have been rounded already, as they do not change the shape of a stone--great for doing cabochons and beads that are preformed.)
So ... I began my usual, slow process of deliberating what model of larger-capacity rotary tumbler I would like, finally deciding that perhaps a Lortone 12 pounder, or the 6+6 model would be a good bet. I also heard good things on these boards regarding the Thumler 15 pounder. As luck would have it though, I was perusing Ebay a week ago and someone posted a Diamond Pacific Industrial model, with two 12-pound barrels and a 1/3 horse motor. I researched and found that this model goes for about 800 to 1,000 clams new. The seller wanted $375 or best offer. I offered $225 and he accepted. With tax and shipping, it ended up being $284 and it is now running a barrel of rough snowflake obsidian in preparation for the Ultravibe. I will be experimenting with the best of your suggestions to see what works best for the obsidian. Anyway, the tumbler is in like-new condition--nary a scratch on it. Great machine, and I feel like I really scored, obtaining a commercial grade unit for what a hobby unit would cost.
Now, I know what you are saying about those Chicago tumblers. How could I have stooped so low to go buy that 6 pounder at Harbor Freight? Indeed, everything you hear about these tumblers is accurate. I could not keep a belt on this machine, and replacements purchased from Harbor Freight broke again and again. Now, however, I have this tumbler working great--no problems whatsoever, and I am very happy with it. Let me tell you about the modifications I had to make. If you are the slightest bit handy, you can make them. Otherwise, I suggest getting a Lortone 33B, which will probably outlive us all, with the occasional motor or belt change necessary.
For the Chicago, here is what I did:
1. Buy replacement belt for Lortone 33B from the Rock Shed. It will fit the Chicago. It also fits the Chicago 3 pounder. Put the Lortone belt on the Chicago and throw the Chicago belt away.
2. Loosen motor and slide it to loosest position. Put fully loaded barrels onto the tumbler and try running it. Tighten the motor at the loosest possible position that will turn the barrels without any belt slippage.
3. While you have the aluminum cover off (which you had to remove to change the belt), keep the bezel and screws and throw away the aluminum plate. It causes the tumbler to retain much heat, which is not good for the rubber belt.
4. Cut a piece of aluminum mesh and use the bezel to fasten it where the aluminum plate used to be. This will prevent objects from dropping into the motor compartment. (I had not done this step yet when I took the photograph of my tumbling corner. In fact, I feel this mesh is unnecessary but it will dress up the appearance of your tumbler rather than leaving the motor exposed.)
This modification has worked so well that I did it to my three pound Chicago and it has been running continuously for a month with no problems.
I am enjoying learning about this hobby. Kate and I have as our goal the aim of obtaining professional results. The biggest challenge so far has been learning the proper proportions of media, polish, water, etc. to charge the vibratory tumbler and keep rocks moving briskly. Incorrect proportions cause the rocks to freeze up. The vibratory tumbler should be checked every few hours if possible--not possible during the work week, but desirable in a best case scenario.
More to come. Thanks again for the great forum. I am enjoying everyone's posts.
Craig A.
Then, you can see my problem: even running the Chicago 3 and 6 pound tumblers did not provide enough material for the succeeding tumbling steps in the Ultravibe. As many of you know, the Ultravibe needs to be more than half full to move the rocks properly. I found that ceramic media helped but still desired more tumbling capacity at the earlier step one stage, which must be done in the rotary style tumbler, as I learned here. (Vibratory tumblers are great for finishing stones that have been rounded already, as they do not change the shape of a stone--great for doing cabochons and beads that are preformed.)
So ... I began my usual, slow process of deliberating what model of larger-capacity rotary tumbler I would like, finally deciding that perhaps a Lortone 12 pounder, or the 6+6 model would be a good bet. I also heard good things on these boards regarding the Thumler 15 pounder. As luck would have it though, I was perusing Ebay a week ago and someone posted a Diamond Pacific Industrial model, with two 12-pound barrels and a 1/3 horse motor. I researched and found that this model goes for about 800 to 1,000 clams new. The seller wanted $375 or best offer. I offered $225 and he accepted. With tax and shipping, it ended up being $284 and it is now running a barrel of rough snowflake obsidian in preparation for the Ultravibe. I will be experimenting with the best of your suggestions to see what works best for the obsidian. Anyway, the tumbler is in like-new condition--nary a scratch on it. Great machine, and I feel like I really scored, obtaining a commercial grade unit for what a hobby unit would cost.
Now, I know what you are saying about those Chicago tumblers. How could I have stooped so low to go buy that 6 pounder at Harbor Freight? Indeed, everything you hear about these tumblers is accurate. I could not keep a belt on this machine, and replacements purchased from Harbor Freight broke again and again. Now, however, I have this tumbler working great--no problems whatsoever, and I am very happy with it. Let me tell you about the modifications I had to make. If you are the slightest bit handy, you can make them. Otherwise, I suggest getting a Lortone 33B, which will probably outlive us all, with the occasional motor or belt change necessary.
For the Chicago, here is what I did:
1. Buy replacement belt for Lortone 33B from the Rock Shed. It will fit the Chicago. It also fits the Chicago 3 pounder. Put the Lortone belt on the Chicago and throw the Chicago belt away.
2. Loosen motor and slide it to loosest position. Put fully loaded barrels onto the tumbler and try running it. Tighten the motor at the loosest possible position that will turn the barrels without any belt slippage.
3. While you have the aluminum cover off (which you had to remove to change the belt), keep the bezel and screws and throw away the aluminum plate. It causes the tumbler to retain much heat, which is not good for the rubber belt.
4. Cut a piece of aluminum mesh and use the bezel to fasten it where the aluminum plate used to be. This will prevent objects from dropping into the motor compartment. (I had not done this step yet when I took the photograph of my tumbling corner. In fact, I feel this mesh is unnecessary but it will dress up the appearance of your tumbler rather than leaving the motor exposed.)
This modification has worked so well that I did it to my three pound Chicago and it has been running continuously for a month with no problems.
I am enjoying learning about this hobby. Kate and I have as our goal the aim of obtaining professional results. The biggest challenge so far has been learning the proper proportions of media, polish, water, etc. to charge the vibratory tumbler and keep rocks moving briskly. Incorrect proportions cause the rocks to freeze up. The vibratory tumbler should be checked every few hours if possible--not possible during the work week, but desirable in a best case scenario.
More to come. Thanks again for the great forum. I am enjoying everyone's posts.
Craig A.
