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Post by TheRock on Sept 10, 2017 11:01:25 GMT -5
Hi Folks, (where do I start)  I Retired from my County 3 years ago. I was having some lower back pain and went to the Chiropractor. He adjusted my neck on July 13th and gave me a stroke. I laid in the hospital for 26 days I'm out now and going through Rehab. I am progressing nicely at least able to walk again altho I am still Wobbly. The wife and I Etch glass and she makes Items with that has decorations on it (she ran out of costume jewelry) so she decided maybe polished stones might work. I always wanted to do rock tumbling since I was a kid Now I am almost 60 so decided to give this Hobby a try. Boy did I get Bit!!!  I found this forum and did some research on equipment a couple weeks ago and see many are using the LORTONE 33B Tumblers so that's what I ordered and have my first batch going now. Yesterday I ordered a second one and have been eYe balling a QT66 for larger Stones. I have ordered a Pick Hardness Tester and purchased a few books that I have been reading and my wife and I have been having a ball. We spent yesterday afternoon at the beach in St. Joseph on Lake Michigan We searched for rocks for four hrs. I grilled some burgers we had a Pic Nic and then we watched the most beautiful Sunset over the lake that is imaginable, What a great hobby!  It hasn't been easy having a STROKE but getting out in the fresh air and the movements rock hunting requires I found is good exercise for me. Anyway this is a great forum I have learned much the short time I have been here!  |
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 10, 2017 11:25:53 GMT -5
Welcome from Virginia! Sorry to hear about your stroke, but you sound like you are recovering, thank goodness. Yes, the rock hobby is therapeutic for a lot of us. Glad you found it and us.
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Post by aDave on Sept 10, 2017 12:18:39 GMT -5
Welcome from CA.
Glad to see you are recovering. The QT66 is a good move. I started with a 45C, got a second one, and then got a QT66. The QT66 allows not only larger rocks, the larger barrels and subsequent weight of the rocks inside allowed for better results in a coarse grind. My QT66 is always running, and has not been shut down (except for cleanouts) since I got it in February. The QT66 is only for coarse, and I rotate 3 45C barrels on the other two tumblers for the remaining steps. Thus far, I'm producing finished batches about once a month.
The big decision you will make down the road is whether or not to get a vibe to finish your rocks. Speeds things up quite a bit after coarse. I haven't made the jump yet. Good luck.
Dave
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Post by manofglass on Sept 10, 2017 12:32:05 GMT -5
welcome to the forum from another Michigan member
walt
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Post by TheRock on Sept 10, 2017 13:19:11 GMT -5
Thanks to All!  A question to aDave being you have a QT66 can you but a QT12 Barrel on the QT66? I can also see where getting extra Barrels for the machines to use in all 4 stages would cut down on cross contamination and save time in having to clean the barrels each time. Thanks |
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Post by aDave on Sept 10, 2017 14:05:00 GMT -5
Thanks to All! A question to aDave being you have a QT66 can you but a QT12 Barrel on the QT66? I can also see where getting extra Barrels for the machines to use in all 4 stages would cut down on cross contamination and save time in having to clean the barrels each time. Thanks Yes, you can put a QT12 barrel on the QT66 frame. With the exception of the barrel configuration (1 vs 2), they are one in the same. In fact, if you look at the label on the tumbler frame, it is marked QT12 / QT66. Dave |
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Post by TheRock on Sept 10, 2017 15:42:21 GMT -5
Thanks aDave sounds like that has answered my question to make my decision. Wish the Barrels were cheaper. Does anyone make knock off's? guess wouldnt be a good Idea tho as that's what makes the LOROTONE stand out because of it's quality seals on the Barrel's. On the Twin Barrel Units its almost cheaper to buy a whole machine. Thanks
~Bob
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Post by drocknut on Sept 10, 2017 15:48:14 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Arizona. Glad you are recovering from your stroke and have taken up the rock addiction...um, I mean hobby...lol.
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Post by aDave on Sept 10, 2017 15:49:07 GMT -5
Thanks aDave sounds like that has answered my question to make my decision. Wish the Barrels were cheaper. Does anyone make knock off's? guess wouldnt be a good Idea tho as that's what makes the LOROTONE stand out because of it's quality seals on the Barrel's. On the Twin Barrel Units its almost cheaper to buy a whole machine. Thanks ~Bob Check prices at the Rock Shed. They are usually the lowest on Lortone stuff. See if that helps any. Dave |
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Post by Jugglerguy on Sept 10, 2017 15:50:14 GMT -5
Hi Bob, I'm Rob. Welcome from Alpena. I have a Lortone 33B and a QT66. I like both of them a lot. Another tumbler to consider is the Lot-O. It uses way less grit and finishes the last stages very quickly. You still need rotary tumblers for the first stage. It's not necessary to buy a different barrel for each stage, but it's nice to have a separate barrel for the polish stage. For me, that barrel is my Lot-O barrel. You could finish your batches in the 33B and just buy a polish barrel for that. That would keep your QT66 free for just tumbling the first stage, which is where most of the time is spent.
Bummer about the stroke. I'm glad you're still able to get out on the beach. I love hunting rocks on the beaches of Lake Huron and Lake Superior. I don't get to Lake Michigan much, but I have enjoyed some nice Petoskey stone hunts there too.
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Post by coloradocliff on Sept 10, 2017 15:57:32 GMT -5
Howdy Rock and a big Colorado welcome. Lortone makes good stuff but also consider a thumbler Model B Tumbler. More capacity for 60 dollars less and has a big opening for larger rocks. Lortone is easier to remove the barrel top though. Also you can look at old threads by doing a search where jamesp , our resident, MacGyver designed and uses home built barrels from PVC. Also you should have an extra barrel for finish polish but not for all the other stages. A lot of people do the coarse grind in a rotary but then use a loto vibrating tumbler or other type of vibe to fast finish their stones and give them a brilliant polish. Another thing to consider is something the people who sell you a tumbler don't tell you. Use a thickener ( Cheap cat litter fro m Walmart) in your rotary to stop stone bruising, chips and cracks that wont show up till later in the process and it will break your heart to see the damage an uncushioned load of rock can do to itself. The clay in the kitty litter forms a thick milk shake consistency that will carry your grits and cushion your stones. Many people buy both equipment and tumble stones from the Rockshed. We also have sponsors on the site that sell tumble and equipment to compare prices and service with. Good luck and welcome aboard. |
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Post by aDave on Sept 10, 2017 16:39:07 GMT -5
Jugglerguy is right. Dedicated barrel for polish, barrels for your coarse, and maybe one other. To clarify, of the three leftover 45C barrels I have, one is a coarse barrel that I really don't use anymore. So, when I said I do my stages after coarse with three barrels, that's not really true. That's just the number that I have. So, for me, QT66 for coarse (both barrels), one 45C barrel that I run medium and fine in, and one barrel for polish. That third barrel just kind of sits there. Sorry if there was any confusion. Dave
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Post by vegasjames on Sept 10, 2017 18:35:02 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum.
Something else to look in to to help with the stroke is ozone therapy. There are studies on PubMed discussing how it can reverse stroke symptoms. I have seen this personally. Easy to do at home yourself.
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Post by TheRock on Sept 10, 2017 20:59:05 GMT -5
Well thanks Guys I appreciate all the good information I am getting. Even had a couple excellent PM's sent to me that I am reading up on. You just cant get enough good information that's for sure. Someone has always been there done that. And I am not to proud to follow someone else's lead and save some heart ache. trouble, and save some money. Thanks again ~Bob |
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Post by wigglinrocks on Sept 10, 2017 21:11:06 GMT -5
Welcome from Wisconsin . Enjoy the forum but more importantly enjoy the hobby .
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timloco
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2012
Posts: 545
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Post by timloco on Sept 10, 2017 21:48:44 GMT -5
Welcome from Colorado!
I have a QT-66 also it's been a great tumbler.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 11, 2017 9:11:14 GMT -5
Welcome from S/E Michigan. Cant go wrong with Lortone tumblers.
Chuck
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Post by janeofsometrades on Sept 11, 2017 12:29:53 GMT -5
Welcome from a fellow Michigander and total newbie! I love getting rocks from the lake, hoping to go to the state park soon!
Andrea
Ps- So sorry about your health issues. I have all kinds as well, and can't work at 34. But still hoping things get better. Will send you good juju.
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Post by fantastic5 on Sept 11, 2017 12:40:15 GMT -5
 from Tennessee (by way of Michigan). It sounds like the rock bug has bit both you and your wife. That's the best option for sure. If she will spend hours collecting with you, then you won't be in the dog house for spending time on the hobby. And what great rehab.
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Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,936
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Post by Tommy on Sept 13, 2017 15:55:06 GMT -5
Hi Bob - we've talked already but my manners might have slipped - officially welcome to the board! Lots of good folks here and Michigan is well-represented as you can see.
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I Retired from my County 3 years ago. I was having some lower back pain and went to the Chiropractor. He adjusted my neck on July 13th and gave me a stroke. I laid in the hospital for 26 days I'm out now and going through Rehab. I am progressing nicely at least able to walk again altho I am still Wobbly. The wife and I Etch glass and she makes Items with that has decorations on it (she ran out of costume jewelry) so she decided maybe polished stones might work. I always wanted to do rock tumbling since I was a kid Now I am almost 60 so decided to give this Hobby a try. Boy did I get Bit!!! 
I found this forum and did some research on equipment a couple weeks ago and see many are using the LORTONE 33B Tumblers so that's what I ordered and have my first batch going now. Yesterday I ordered a second one and have been eYe balling a QT66 for larger Stones. I have ordered a Pick Hardness Tester and purchased a few books that I have been reading and my wife and I have been having a ball.
It hasn't been easy having a STROKE but getting out in the fresh air and the movements rock hunting requires I found is good exercise for me. Anyway this is a great forum I have learned much the short time I have been here! 
A question to aDave being you have a QT66 can you but a QT12 Barrel on the QT66? I can also see where getting extra Barrels for the machines to use in all 4 stages would cut down on cross contamination and save time in having to clean the barrels each time. Thanks 
from Tennessee (by way of Michigan).
