jasonk
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2012
Posts: 12
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Post by jasonk on Nov 19, 2012 19:57:36 GMT -5
Now snice I got my old T-1 thumlers running.I am looking getting a new one.I am looking at the lortone 3A and the thumlers A-R1.I was woundering a few things on both of them the plus's and minus's of them.I know I like the thumlers being it has a heavy duty motor and the lortone is a light duty style motor. I seen on here the the lortone motors go out with in a year is that true.I am looking for one for the use in the long haul tons of use.I know my T-1 has a light duty motor so I really don't push it too hard.Please give input on this matter. I want a good one too depend on year after year with little troubles or none at all. Thank you for your time Jason K
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Post by geoff on Nov 19, 2012 20:36:07 GMT -5
Buy a harbor freight special and put a 1/47 hp grainger motor in it. My lortones all died with in a year, but those grainger motors are bullet proof.
Also, they can handle quit a bit more weight than the original lortone motors.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 19, 2012 20:50:18 GMT -5
Not sure about the newer stuff lortone sells but I have a lortone gem sparkle 3lb tumbler that is stamped 1978 and I got it for $10 at a swap. Been running for a year non stop with no issues. I really like lortones barrels, we have 8 of them running and so far never had a leak (knock on wood).
the dual barrel models are very popular by both brands so you dont have to worry so much about cross contamination into your polish barrel.
Chuck
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Nov 19, 2012 21:02:30 GMT -5
If you are going with a used machine, Lortone is all over Ebay... I've seen more than a few @ $50.00 +/- If you are going new I would go either dual or triple barrel Lortone or a larger barrel Thumler because, as you get more into tumbling and get better at it you'll want to run more material at a time than you can now...guaranteed!!
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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 19, 2012 21:50:23 GMT -5
I agree with getting more than one barrel. I have a Lortone 33B and even two barrels isn't enough. For the extra price, get a double barrel tumbler.
As for which to buy, I don't know. I've had more Lortone for almost a year and so far, so good. I haven't tried a Thumler. I read too many bad things about the lids on the Thumbers when I was deciding what to buy.
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Dora
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2012
Posts: 252
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Post by Dora on Nov 19, 2012 22:49:59 GMT -5
Hello jasonk and welcome! I had a great experience with two brands, Lortone and Harbor Freight tumblers. I got them both around 10 years ago and still using them. When I bought the Lortone I also bought a replacement motor to have it handy, never had to replace it. Both tumblers are going strong but probably because I always keep them very clean and lubricated. Lortone belts are better than the ones that come with the HF tumblers, so I always use Lortone’s belts for my HF tumbler. The belts only cost a few dollars so it’s always a great idea to keep a good supply of them handy. Now, I don’t know the current manufacturing quality of any of these tumblers, as I got mine a long time ago. Quality decrease could account for some of the complaints some people have. Another thing to know is that I haven’t had them running continuously for 10 years. At the beginning I used them a lot and as the years went by I just used them less frequently. Some links with good prices: Lortone tumblers: www.therockshed.com/tumbler4.htmlThumler's Tumblers (I’ve no experience with them): www.therockshed.com/tumbler2.htmlHarbor Freight Chicago Tumblers: HF Chicago single Drum $39.99 www.harborfreight.com/3-lb-rotary-rock-tumbler-67631.htmlHF Chicago Dual Drum $49.99 www.harborfreight.com/dual-drum-rotary-rock-tumbler-67632.html
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jasonk
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2012
Posts: 12
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Post by jasonk on Nov 20, 2012 8:55:06 GMT -5
I feel bad about this I meant too say I have a tumblers T-2 with a stronger motor I put in it.I when too grainier and picked a new one that was stronger and more hp.It has two 3lbs drums on it.Both in perfect shape yet.I ordered a new belt,lids,rubber bands for the drums,media and a new drum from the rock shop.I have it running now with the old rocks I never finished when I was a kid. It is in 4th stage now.I will find out sunday after noon too see how it turns out..\ As for me getting used off of ebay I will never do that.You Just don't what you are getting.I am going to order a new one from the rock shed. Here next week some time.Like I said the only thing that gets me with the lortone is the motor being weak.Being it lasts only maybe a year.Like I said I really want a good one that holds up with out costing alot of money on break downs. One the tumblers the lid thing really don't bother me to much it is cheap thing.On the other hand the lortone the lid holds up very well just a motor thing gets me.So I am kinda in a foggy place here.I am really looking at all your replies so far and it looks like most every one runs lortone but the old ones.
Thanks for the replies Jason
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 20, 2012 9:55:10 GMT -5
Jason, you have nailed it. I was always thought if the Lortone drums would fit on a Thumler's you would have a great tumbler. If you are used to dealing with Thumler's retaining rings I would go with the Thumler's. Or one of the new Tumble Bees.
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keystonecops
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2010
Posts: 957
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Post by keystonecops on Nov 20, 2012 17:39:59 GMT -5
I just orderd one of the new tumble bees. 2 2lb barrels, so the granddaughters can tumble. With shipping it was 109.00. Will let everbody know how it does. Thing I like is the drive belt with teeth. Later Clyde
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jasonk
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2012
Posts: 12
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Post by jasonk on Nov 21, 2012 7:46:54 GMT -5
So basically it is the lortone motor or the thumlers retaining rings and lid.So they are both about the same for break downs.I am right on this? Ok the lortone motor lasts about a year and how long does the thumlers retaining ring and lid last then.
Thanks Jason
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 21, 2012 9:40:53 GMT -5
The retaining rings last a long time. They are just hard to install until you get used to them. Also the lid groove has to be really clean to seal. I hear more trouble with the larger Thumler's lids or lid gaskets wearing out quickly.
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panamark
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,343
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Post by panamark on Nov 21, 2012 11:17:00 GMT -5
JasonK - PM sent to you
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jasonk
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2012
Posts: 12
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Post by jasonk on Nov 22, 2012 22:22:08 GMT -5
PM sent back... Well I am going to get a tumlers.I really don't care about the lid on them they are cheap.I would rather replace a lid then a motor.Please give input more on this. I could change my mind.Like I said my order will be going next week on friday.
Thanks for all the replies everyone Jason K
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