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Post by Jugglerguy on Oct 19, 2012 19:48:03 GMT -5
I'm going to get a new tumbler for my son and I for Christmas. I'm leaning toward the Lortone QT66. Currently I have a Lortone 33B and a Lot-O. The 33B is not coming anywhere close to keeping my Lot-O fed. I'd also like to do some larger rocks.
Here are my questions:
I've heard that larger tumblers finish rocks faster. I only use my rotary for the first stage. How much faster is the QT66 than the 33B?
I'm happy with my 33B, so I want another Lortone. However, I have no experience with other brands. Should I be considering something else, like a Thumler?
I'm a little concerned that I'm not going to have enough of the same rock type for the larger barrel all the time. How important is it to not mix rocks of different type in the first stage? Can I mix several types of rocks in the QT66 and then separate them for finishing in the Lot-O (mixing with ceramics)?
Thanks, Rob
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 19, 2012 20:00:57 GMT -5
I would think the mixed rocks would be ok in the first stage. Maybe watch out mixing quartz with agates just to avoid fractures early on. I just came across a deal I could not pass up so I will be trying the larger barrel soon too. Seen this on eBay and clicked buy it now as fast as I could. Pretty sure it's a 12 lb barrel. www.ebay.com/itm/110966139759?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649Chuck
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 19, 2012 20:44:36 GMT -5
Mixed rocks of same hardness.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Oct 19, 2012 22:54:01 GMT -5
Wow. Somebody got a deal.
Yes, larger tumblers due grind faster because of extra weight of material.
I can't answer regarding the comparison as I built my own.
Chuck
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herchenx
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Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 20, 2012 15:24:51 GMT -5
I use both the QT66 and QT12 and they both do great.
Of course agates and harder stuff will take a while, but you can do larger stones and they are faster than the 3# tumblers.
the hard plastic ones that are tilt-angled I keep hearing tumble faster. I have been thinking of cashing in my 60-pound-er and trying to get one of these to speed up stage 1.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on Oct 21, 2012 3:48:18 GMT -5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This diameter and speed has been the fastest coarse grind rotary setup i have found. 80 RPM on a 6 inch barrel using 36 or 45 or 54 or 60 or 90 grit S. Carbide.Does agate,jasper,wood and even rose quartz without surface chipping.Used for 220 grit too. 4-600 grit and polish i use 25 RPM on 6 inch barrel because 80 RPM does not polish well. So i use two different tumblers.A single speed tumbler is a big compromise in speed of coarse grinding rate but manufacturers are in the business of selling a do all unit. 80 RPM is fast,violent and noisy.And never has dmaged rose quartz. If you go to a larger diameter it will definately coarse tumble faster because of the added weight but possibility of fracturing seems to increase.And cushioning materials may be needed. The fast spinning 6 inch barrels have never damaged my senstive rocks and i never add cushion material.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on Oct 21, 2012 3:52:55 GMT -5
No matter how slow i ran this monster it always fractured(or shattered) rocks. What was i thinking:> Attachments:
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on Oct 21, 2012 4:11:26 GMT -5
This is my favorite set up after a dozen attempts and has been running these two 15 pound 6 inch diameter PVC barrels for almost 2 years full time.Coarse grind 1rst step and 220 grit 2nd step.They spin at 80 RPM and are too noisy.OK for insulated room or in a shed on the back 40.This monster rounds agates quickly with out damage.Sometimes in 2 weeks.Most of what it tumbles is chips that are 2-4 inches long and 1-3 inches wide yet thin as i can knapp them.Similar to spearhead blanks.These chips are much slower to tumble than roundish rocks i guess because of impact angles or something.Any ideas? The tumbled chips are unique in shape and my 'poor mans cabs'. Attachments:
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Post by Jugglerguy on Oct 21, 2012 21:39:08 GMT -5
Thanks James. Last winter I briefly considered building my own tumbler but decided against it. I think it will be cheaper for my to just buy one. I always like looking at what other people have built though. That truck tire tumbler may not have worked well, but it sure looks impressive!
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on Oct 22, 2012 7:51:04 GMT -5
Just remember how slow the coarse tumble is.In most cases one tumbler will do steps 2,3 and 4 about as fast as 3 or 4 tumblers do step one.Suggest using your existing tumblers for the finish work and get a big one for the coarse grind...That tumbler in the photo was built too cheap using Surplus Center stuff. www.surpluscenter.com Build it and bolt it to a wood frame.
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herchenx
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Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 22, 2012 9:31:18 GMT -5
Cool info James. I'd love to see pics of the finished tumbles.
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