meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Jul 13, 2013 10:20:23 GMT -5
Hi,
I've decided to buy a rock tumbler and am debating between a Lortone 33B and Thumler A-R2. Is either one better than the other? Which is quieter? Does anyone know of a rock shop in the Phoenix, AZ area? I'm sure I will have a lot more questions once I get started.
Thanks, Andrea
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Post by deb193redux on Jul 13, 2013 10:27:37 GMT -5
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jul 13, 2013 14:41:45 GMT -5
I've never had any problems with either.
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Jul 13, 2013 14:56:53 GMT -5
Thank you for the information. It was very helpful. Does the faceted barrel of the Thumler make a difference in the final product? Also what type of rough is good for a beginner? I like the stones that have striping or different colors in them.
Thanks again
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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 Jul 13, 2013 15:10:53 GMT -5
agate is an excellent beginner material, it is very hard and takes an excellent polish....also it is very forgiving when tumbling. the varieties of agate available are many and you should not have any problems finding material to use!!! post lots of pictures as you go so if there is an issue we can see what is going on along with the explanation!
Good Luck and welcome to the forum!!!
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Post by sheltie on Jul 13, 2013 15:18:35 GMT -5
Since no one has addressed where to buy either of these, one of the places I recommend is www.therockshed.com. they also have a fair amount of tumbling rough that you can look through and choose at reasonable prices. Their priced on most anything seems to be very good and the service is unbeatable.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jul 13, 2013 15:30:50 GMT -5
Andrea- I've never tried a tumbler with a smooth barrel, but it would seem like the rocks would just slide around. My Lortone is a 6 pound barrel, I'm guessing that 6 pounds and up on Lortones are faceted barrel.
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Jul 13, 2013 21:45:33 GMT -5
Again thanks for the responses. TheDad_Ohs: Agate seems like a good choice for me to start with. I will definitely get some. I will post pictures as I go. sheltie: I have looked at therockshed.com and it's good to know that they are a good company. Love the Jeep....mine is black bikerrandy: I never thought of that...it makes sense. I will do a little more research before I buy. Andrea
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Jul 13, 2013 23:51:23 GMT -5
On the Lortones the straight sided barrels start with the 45C. This was my first tumbler and I think it is an good beginner machine.
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Jul 14, 2013 9:22:14 GMT -5
Ok, so now I'm looking at the Lortone QT 66 for the faceted barrels. I want the double barrel so that one can be used for polishing only. Do both barrels have to be running in order to work properly? Or can one barrel run by itself? How big can the rough be in this machine? I would like to make some jewelry but also have some larger pieces for displaying. Another concern is how loud it is. I probably have to run in it on a table in the back yard. Is it loud enough to disturb the neighbors?
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Post by sheltie on Jul 14, 2013 10:00:00 GMT -5
Ok, so now I'm looking at the Lortone QT 66 for the faceted barrels. I want the double barrel so that one can be used for polishing only. Do both barrels have to be running in order to work properly? Or can one barrel run by itself? How big can the rough be in this machine? I would like to make some jewelry but also have some larger pieces for displaying. Another concern is how loud it is. I probably have to run in it on a table in the back yard. Is it loud enough to disturb the neighbors? Black Jeep? You must not live in Texas! On the QT66, you can run either one or two barrels although I'm not sure why you would want a two barrel tumbler yet only run one at a time. As far as size is concerned, the best I can tell you is to not overload the barrel. They each are supposed to hold six lbs but we run them a little lighter than that. We run the QT66, QT6 and a Thumbler type tumbler full time in a room in our house, 24/7/365. With the door closed, it is hard to hear them and even if you do, you get used to it pretty quick. If you run it outdoors, you would have to protect it from the elements and critters (depending on where you live).
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Jul 14, 2013 11:58:30 GMT -5
I'm in Arizona. Black jeep + 115 degrees = OVEN.
I am planning on using one barrel for only polishing so in the beginning I won't have anything to put in it. After that I will use it regularly I'm sure. I'm still very new to this and reading as much as I can. I just want something that I won't outgrow and wish I had bought something else in two weeks. Right now I don't even know what I'm going to do with all of the polished rock, other than some pendents and paperweights, I just know that I love them. As time goes on maybe my rocks will have a purpose....lol.
It's good to know that they aren't too loud. I really would like to put it in the laundry room to keep it out of the AZ heat. My husband suggested the back porch. We'll see how that goes.
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Post by sheltie on Jul 14, 2013 12:23:27 GMT -5
I'm in Arizona. Black jeep + 115 degrees = OVEN. I am planning on using one barrel for only polishing so in the beginning I won't have anything to put in it. After that I will use it regularly I'm sure. I'm still very new to this and reading as much as I can. I just want something that I won't outgrow and wish I had bought something else in two weeks. Right now I don't even know what I'm going to do with all of the polished rock, other than some pendents and paperweights, I just know that I love them. As time goes on maybe my rocks will have a purpose....lol. It's good to know that they aren't too loud. I really would like to put it in the laundry room to keep it out of the AZ heat. My husband suggested the back porch. We'll see how that goes. Black Jeep + 115 = OVEN = DOUBLE CRAZY!!!!! Certainly that must've been your husband's decision to get that color in AZ. No intelligent woman would have anything to do with that. When we started to tumble rocks we found on the coast, we had no purpose other than just to enjoy their "new" shape and polish. After several years, that hasn't changed one iota. The only thing that has changed is that we jumped into the hobby big time will all new equipment (saws, grinders, polishers, etc). Most will recommend that you start out with something used. I've never been that way so I stick with what's best for me. All I can tell you that whichever way you go - especially new - this hobby can cost a LOT of money!
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Jul 14, 2013 13:04:20 GMT -5
Black Jeep + 115 = OVEN = DOUBLE CRAZY!!!!! Certainly that must've been your husband's decision to get that color in AZ. No intelligent woman would have anything to do with that. When we started to tumble rocks we found on the coast, we had no purpose other than just to enjoy their "new" shape and polish. After several years, that hasn't changed one iota. The only thing that has changed is that we jumped into the hobby big time will all new equipment (saws, grinders, polishers, etc). Most will recommend that you start out with something used. I've never been that way so I stick with what's best for me. All I can tell you that whichever way you go - especially new - this hobby can cost a LOT of money! You've got that right....Black was his decision. I do love it though....after the air conditioning runs for 15 minutes. I will be buying new. I'm sure I will want more equipment at some point. I just haven't read enough to know what else is out there. I can't wait to order, I'm trying to figure out what kind of rough I want. TheDad_Ohs suggested agate and I will order some of it. I like the banded amethyst and amazonite. What do you like best?
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Post by sheltie on Jul 14, 2013 16:17:21 GMT -5
My first love is Laguna Crazy Lace followed closely by Mexican Crazy Lace. That said, I like most any agate or jasper. An EXCELLENT source of rough is from Catmandewe, who is on this forum. He has an excellent variety (tons) at excellent prices. I doubt you will find anyone who wouldn't recommend him.
Since you are just starting out, be sure to include a trip to Quartzite in January on your schedule. As a rockhound and hobbyist you will think you died and went to Heaven! There are quite a few hounds in AZ. If you live anywhere near Wickenberg, Rockhobbit (also on this forum) is a neat lady to get with and to learn from as well.
Black Jeep....
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Jul 14, 2013 23:08:09 GMT -5
The Crazy Lace is very nice...both of them. Tomorrow morning I'm going to call the only shop I can find locally that may have the Lortone QT 66. If they have it I'm going to get it and if they don't I'm ordering it from therockshed.com tomorrow. I looked up the Quartzsite Gem show in January and I think I will have to go. It's only 2 hours from me.
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