Post by Cob on Nov 3, 2016 14:36:36 GMT -5
I just received a Lortone 3lb tumbler barrel that I bought new on eBay from a seller that seems to be reputable. I ordered it strictly for polish stages so it had to be new. First thing I noticed when I excitedly opened the box is while the top and lid looked brand new the bottom edges of the barrel looked worn. Way more worn than the barrels I've run for many months, but the sides looked and felt new, they aren't worn smooth at all, hmmmm.
When I opened the barrel up there was the new rubber smell which was encouraging but the top area around the lip on the inside seemed a little rough looking. Not obvious wear but not how a new one used to look either. Then I noticed the bottom is very thin and more flexible compared to the other 3lb Lortone barrels I have. My first thought was "hmmm the old new top and used barrel trick eh?" but again they seemed to have good feedback.
So I fired off an email to Lortone just out of curiosity and asked if they had recently changed anything with the barrels. I assumed the eBay seller goes through them fast and has fairly fresh stock, I could be wrong but I'm trying to give the benefit of the doubt before contacting the seller. Anyways, Lortone replied right away and sure enough they said yes a new material and a new mold but didn't say anything about my comment on how the bottom feels cheap and thin. Has anyone else run into one of these newer barrels and noticed the bottoms seem thin and the mold not quite as smooth on the inside lip? I have the worst luck when I buy this stuff lol
edit: I know that when I bought my tumbler I was half way impressed with how the barrels felt and looked which was not the case with this new barrel. I don't know if it's some kind of refurb being passed as new (seems unlikely as the seller seems to have sold a lot of them) or if Lortone's new material and molding is not as good as it was and it has nothing to do with the seller. I guess there is no good way to tell unless I go up to Lortone and find out. They are only open work hours on weekdays so it makes it hard to pop in.
When I opened the barrel up there was the new rubber smell which was encouraging but the top area around the lip on the inside seemed a little rough looking. Not obvious wear but not how a new one used to look either. Then I noticed the bottom is very thin and more flexible compared to the other 3lb Lortone barrels I have. My first thought was "hmmm the old new top and used barrel trick eh?" but again they seemed to have good feedback.
So I fired off an email to Lortone just out of curiosity and asked if they had recently changed anything with the barrels. I assumed the eBay seller goes through them fast and has fairly fresh stock, I could be wrong but I'm trying to give the benefit of the doubt before contacting the seller. Anyways, Lortone replied right away and sure enough they said yes a new material and a new mold but didn't say anything about my comment on how the bottom feels cheap and thin. Has anyone else run into one of these newer barrels and noticed the bottoms seem thin and the mold not quite as smooth on the inside lip? I have the worst luck when I buy this stuff lol
edit: I know that when I bought my tumbler I was half way impressed with how the barrels felt and looked which was not the case with this new barrel. I don't know if it's some kind of refurb being passed as new (seems unlikely as the seller seems to have sold a lot of them) or if Lortone's new material and molding is not as good as it was and it has nothing to do with the seller. I guess there is no good way to tell unless I go up to Lortone and find out. They are only open work hours on weekdays so it makes it hard to pop in.