jessen
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2015
Posts: 16
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Post by jessen on Jun 13, 2015 22:55:36 GMT -5
I've got two tumblers at the moment but looking to upgrade, because one is a 3lb tumbler which is just too small (Harbor Freight Model) and the other is about 40 years old Minnesota Lapidary Supply tumbler (2 6lb drums but only one holds) and sounds like a cat with its tail stuck in a fan.
I've been looking for some I can do larger stones as I've been picking up some quartz and other stuff that is fist sized or a little bigger all the way down to small rocks I just happen to pick up here or there. (I've got three ice cream buckets full at the moment and the pocket of the door on my truck full (Don't tell my wife!)
Quartz, Jasper, Prairie Agates and anything else interesting I find around here is primarily what I'm tumbling.
The three I've been looking at:
Lortone Model QT 12 (Like the style of barrel, some of the stuff I've heard about them recently makes me concerned about quality)
Thumler Model AR12 (Concerned about barrel lids)
Thumler Model B ( Not sure if this is overkill?)
Would appreciate any input!
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Post by Rockoonz on Jun 14, 2015 0:45:30 GMT -5
If you're sure you're serious and plan to do this for awhile I suggest making your own tumbler base to support multiple barrels. Some shafting, pullies, pillow block bearings, and a motor on a wood or steel frame is more durable than any factory built stuff.
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Jun 14, 2015 2:11:42 GMT -5
Yup, build a base and buy the barrels. No more stalling. I'm a mechanical klutz, but I've built 2 four barrel bases that just keep on running. 1/4 hp is plenty, but used 1/3 hp motors are easier to find.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jun 14, 2015 7:27:33 GMT -5
I have a Lortone QT66 that's been running steady for about two and a half years. So far I'm happy.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jun 14, 2015 10:08:37 GMT -5
I have a had home built running 6-8 lortone barrels non stop for 3 years with no issues and I also run two lortone qt12's that have never required any repairs. I think I have accumulated over 20 barrels now and every one of them are lortones.
Chuck
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Jun 14, 2015 18:50:26 GMT -5
I've got two tumblers at the moment but looking to upgrade, because one is a 3lb tumbler which is just too small (Harbor Freight Model) and the other is about 40 years old Minnesota Lapidary Supply tumbler (2 6lb drums but only one holds) and sounds like a cat with its tail stuck in a fan. I've been looking for some I can do larger stones as I've been picking up some quartz and other stuff that is fist sized or a little bigger all the way down to small rocks I just happen to pick up here or there. (I've got three ice cream buckets full at the moment and the pocket of the door on my truck full (Don't tell my wife!) Quartz, Jasper, Prairie Agates and anything else interesting I find around here is primarily what I'm tumbling. The three I've been looking at: Lortone Model QT 12 (Like the style of barrel, some of the stuff I've heard about them recently makes me concerned about quality) Thumler Model AR12 (Concerned about barrel lids) Thumler Model B ( Not sure if this is overkill?) Would appreciate any input! I only took me three seconds to formulate my recommendation on your post. Get the Thumler's Model B. You won't regret it.
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jessen
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2015
Posts: 16
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Post by jessen on Jun 15, 2015 0:11:43 GMT -5
Thanks I'm going to look at maybe building my own. We have a bunch of old Electric Motors laying around the farm. I'll have to see any of them work although they might be a bit large.
Do you use AC or DC motors in building your own? Can you link to any examples of something similar to what you have?
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Jun 15, 2015 1:14:14 GMT -5
If you wish to build your own, any motor you have that plugs into a standard 120 will work just fine. I would suggest one from an old Maytag wringer washer, or something similar.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jun 15, 2015 11:18:02 GMT -5
Highland Park made great tumblers from 12lb (used the Thumler's B barrels) up. All ran using 1/3 hp, 1725, ODP PSC motors. The pulleys gear speed down so motor doesn't work very hard.
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Post by captbob on Jun 15, 2015 11:58:36 GMT -5
You talking about the Diamond Pacific tumblers John or something else?
The Diamond Pacific units sure look sweet, but you gotta be ready to dig real deep in your wallet to go that route.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jun 15, 2015 12:26:17 GMT -5
Thanks I'm going to look at maybe building my own. We have a bunch of old Electric Motors laying around the farm. I'll have to see any of them work although they might be a bit large. Do you use AC or DC motors in building your own? Can you link to any examples of something similar to what you have? 1725 rpm 1/4 or 1/3 hp motors are the most common. anything larger would be a waste of electricity. I run 40 pounds of rock with 1/3 HP. here's a picture of my homebuilt (did I mention that I really like Lortone barrels) Here's a quick example of how simple building one can be. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/62403/selling-tumbler-plans-updated-picsChuck
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jessen
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2015
Posts: 16
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Post by jessen on Jun 17, 2015 0:59:28 GMT -5
We have a shelf at the farm with about 15 or so motors sitting on it that I'll have to look over and see if any will work. I know some are WAY too big, but a few might be the right size/speed. I would like to be able to run multiple barrels so I can set one up for each grit/polish stage. Although finding time to build it could be difficult so that is why I'm leaning towards buying something. If I buy I was leaning towards the Thumler Model B, but if I got the QT12 I could a single 12lb barrel or two 6lb barrels. I do like the option to use smaller barrels at times. The one I got from my dad I think is finally dying Could barely turn a single half full barrel.
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jessen
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2015
Posts: 16
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Post by jessen on Jun 24, 2015 0:14:15 GMT -5
Well I decided to put off building my own and got the QT66. So far I like it. Down the road I'll get a 12lb barrel. I was in the area so I got it at the Rock Shed, nice guys there, very helpful.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jun 24, 2015 9:48:02 GMT -5
Yes,Captbob, Diamond Pacific bought Highland Park from Contempo Lapidary by way of MK. They dropped the 12 lb. model I have but still make the larger sizes. All use rubber drums now instead of the metal with liners. I think they dropped the 12T because it was hard to sell a tumbler with one gallon barrel for $600 with Lortone QT12 much lower. The Hp design is much heavier duty than Lortone or Covington.
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