Rockdogger
starting to shine!
Member since October 2010
Posts: 28
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Post by Rockdogger on Jan 17, 2011 0:23:37 GMT -5
I have received a $50 gift certificate for Cabelas thru work and planned on using it on the purchase of the Thumlers Model B 15lb. tumbler. They retail for $179.00 there. But now I read that their tumbler has a 3000 rpm motor on it. They do not offer the 1500 rpm for rock tumbling as their Model B for sale is for polishing brass shells for reloading, not for a tumbler for stones. Does anybody here use the 3000 rpm motor for rock tumbling? Is it too much speed and will it turn my agates, or any other stones into mince meat? I hate to pass up on this opportunity for a good bigger tumbler for cheap, but I don't want something that will destroy, fracture and chip stones. I am hoping this tumbler is good for rock tumbling. Any advice and help is appreciated. Here is what their,Cabelas, description of it says:
The Model B Rotary Tumbler works equally well with dry or liquid case cleaners. with a barrel rotation of 30 rpm and a motor speed of 3,000 rpm, the rotary action is great for cleaning grimy primer pockets. It has room for 250 .30-06 size cases at a time.
I hope that helps.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 17, 2011 9:06:32 GMT -5
You are correct. Way too fast for rock. Thumler's offers most of their models with high speed motor for faster metal finishing. There was another reloader company mentioned here a long time basck with really low prices but I can't remember name. Seems like it was something like "Lock Stock & Barrel".
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 17, 2011 9:25:35 GMT -5
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lloyd1wv
starting to shine!
Member since December 2010
Posts: 47
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Post by lloyd1wv on Jan 17, 2011 10:02:26 GMT -5
Since the tumbler isn't really intended for rock I would think that you would always be compromising what you do, and maybe not get the best results on some stones that you are really interested in. So saving a few bucks may be something that you would always wish you hadn't done. = That being said, there are several ways to provide cushion in loads and to slow down the action by adding water and soap. Actually with my Lot O it is recommended that the user add water and soap to polish cycles for just that purpose; to slow down the action and protect from beating the stones around. Some others on the forum with much more experience than I would know better than I about cushioning. So IMHO you could use it by taking certain precautions, but why put yourself through that to save a few bucks. Personally I wouldn't compromise on hobby equipment; inevitably you later always want "the better one".
Lloyd
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 17, 2011 10:34:26 GMT -5
Sorry, I didn't read the origin post good enough. I have the model B meant for rock tumbling. I'm sure that you could buy the lower RPM motor from Thumlers, and your tumbler would work just fine. I run mine for a month in course grind, 3 weeks in second stage grind, 2 weeks in pre-polish with 2 cups of plastic pellets, and 1 week in polish with 2 cups of pellets. I rinse my rocks and pellets, and run them for about 8 hours in Borax, and then again for about 1/2 hour in plain water. Don
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firewalker45
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 929
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Post by firewalker45 on Jan 18, 2011 13:06:54 GMT -5
My advice is don't do it! Not only the rpm is faster, the springs are smaller diameter(weaker) and the threaded rod is smaller diameter and the bowl is thinner. You could probably get by with the faster rpm if everything else was the same. That unit is not made to handle the weight of the rock. I believe you would be sorry if you bought it for tumbling rock. Daniel
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jan 18, 2011 13:25:37 GMT -5
Daniel: it sounds like you're talking about a vibe. The Model B is a 15 lb. rotary (no springs, no bowl). John: Yes, it was Lock, Stock, & Barrel, but they're no longer in business. Buffalo Arms has them (with 1500 rpm motor) for $160 plus shipping. www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,4583.html Chuck
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firewalker45
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 929
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Post by firewalker45 on Jan 18, 2011 14:20:00 GMT -5
Oops :blush: Thanks Chuck.
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Rockdogger
starting to shine!
Member since October 2010
Posts: 28
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Post by Rockdogger on Jan 18, 2011 14:55:58 GMT -5
Thanks for all advice. I looked at the savings by buying the right equipment the first time rather than trying to save money buying the wrong type and having to buy new parts to make it work correctly. I'll use the $50 gift certificate to buy a fishing reel or something like that. When I looked at the price of a replacement motor at The Rock Shed, I also looked at the price of the correct Model B Tumbler, so I bought it, along with some ceramic media that I wanted. Thanks all.--Rich
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