Slydog
has rocks in the head
Member since February 2006
Posts: 555
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Post by Slydog on Jul 9, 2007 11:19:01 GMT -5
In May, I ordered a Lortone C300-12. They can't come up with it! Numerous calls have been made, this part or that part is back ordered, somebody was on vacation, etc. Due to the wait, the dealer agreed to waive shipping, that's something at least. Got frustrated, and cancelled the order. I'll try back in a month or so, seems like Lortone is just one guy!? Any ideas out there?
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Post by parfive on Jul 10, 2007 22:52:24 GMT -5
Seems like every lapidary mfr is on furlough, or out fightin' fires right now:
your Lortone
Beef's Barranca grinder
Hopelessbohemian's Thumlers AR6
Rich
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Post by creativeminded on Jul 11, 2007 8:54:35 GMT -5
Have you checked with The Rock Shed to see if they have the part you need?
Tami
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Post by rockds on Jul 14, 2007 23:05:13 GMT -5
2 words:
Lortone sux
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polished
has rocks in the head
Member since February 2006
Posts: 567
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Post by polished on Jul 17, 2007 10:37:09 GMT -5
You ordered that in MAY?!? Sheesh! I've never ordered directly from them, just bought their products from Alpha-supply, now I really hope I never have to!
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Slydog
has rocks in the head
Member since February 2006
Posts: 555
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Post by Slydog on Jul 24, 2007 9:16:31 GMT -5
Actually I did order thru Kingsley--their hands are tied on this---
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horsinaround
spending too much on rocks
If you don't lick rocks...you ain't cool
Member since November 2006
Posts: 315
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Post by horsinaround on Aug 20, 2007 15:58:51 GMT -5
I bought a lortone motor for my CE tumbler..the freakin lortone motor burned out quicker than the chicago electric motor did...I hear rumors that lortone sucked...but now I know for sure..they were not rumors...lortone sucks!!!!
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oldgrouchy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 240
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Post by oldgrouchy on Aug 20, 2007 17:56:57 GMT -5
I have not bought anything from Lortone lately, BUT I have a 3# that is 20 years old and can stillturn out a load with no problems. I have changed belt a time or 2 but the same motor and bearings. I personally do not think ANYONE is using the quality of manufacturing present in the past. My favorite Covington tumbler was built LONG ago and is still running. My Slik's don't slow down except to replace a belt every few years and a motor once a decade or so.
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Post by larrywyland3 on Aug 20, 2007 20:39:55 GMT -5
A while back someone posted that you needed to oil the rods on the tumblers. So I oil mine every week. They have been running for 4 months straight. I had to tighten the belts once, but that is it.
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Post by hermatite on Aug 21, 2007 14:02:54 GMT -5
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Post by Lady B on Aug 21, 2007 14:32:59 GMT -5
The price they list for the 3# model is also amusing. If you dare, you can buy a dual 3# CE for 39.95 at Harbor Freight. We figured that was a bargain even if we had to replace the belt (we did) because the barrels are good and fit the Lortone (which we have) and Lortone barrels are 20 bucks a pop or 2 for the cost of a CE. "D Lady B |
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Slydog
has rocks in the head
Member since February 2006
Posts: 555
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Post by Slydog on Aug 21, 2007 18:06:34 GMT -5
Hmmmmmm--VERY interesting, my friends!
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Aug 21, 2007 18:42:04 GMT -5
That page has no credibility whatsoever on account of their claim that the Lortone grit kit results in "EXCELLENT POLISH" |
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oldgrouchy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 240
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Post by oldgrouchy on Aug 24, 2007 8:32:09 GMT -5
While Lortone is NOT what they used to be, I honestly feel they are still head & shoulders above the CE's! If you put a Lortone Motor and belt on them they are actually decent though. I looked at them at my Harbor Freight store and decided not to try it. I saw them selling for $50.00 on ebay, but you can buy them a heck of a lot cheaper at the store. If I did not already have 6 tumblers I might be willing to give one a try, bearing in mind it is made of disposabel parts.
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Post by LCARS on Aug 27, 2007 11:53:27 GMT -5
Slydog, were you dealing with Jim directly at some point?  Usually if he catches wind of a situation like that he will step in and get you what you need. I have also been jerked around dealing with Lortone directly before so I also recommend you go through a reputable retailer instead. There are already return and exchange policies in place for retail outlets so best to use those avenues instead of dealing directly with Lortone which really isn't set up well for "customer service"  Considering all the horror stories i've heard since i've been here, I'd still go with a Lortone over a CE but the cost savings in buying CE units over a comparable Lortone are there for people who don't mind spending some extra time tinkering with it for saving some bucks up front. |
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Post by sandsman1 on Aug 27, 2007 17:10:38 GMT -5
After many years we have decided to no longer carry Lortone tumblers.
In our opinion, the new rotary tumblers we're carrying, manufactured by Chicago Electric,
are stronger and more reliable than their Lortone counterpart.
No motor and belt problems, lifetime warranty.
lortone may be hangin on the edge but when they fall into the bottom of the barrel they will hit CE right on the head cause there trash hahaha
i think somebody got stuck with a load of ce's and they will say anything to get rid of them haha
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Aug 29, 2007 12:27:10 GMT -5
2 words- Thumler Tumblers- I have not had any problems (motor, mechanical wise) My model T will be 4 years old this Christmas- Still runs like a champ- My Ar 2 is coming up on 2 years and My AR12 is gonna be 1 this fall- By Christmas I'll have enough Cabela's points to pick up another AR2 (and finally retire my beat up duct taped worn out CE)
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Aug 29, 2007 15:08:30 GMT -5
2 words- Thumler Tumblers- I have not had any problems (motor, mechanical wise) My model T will be 4 years old this Christmas- Still runs like a champ- ... My Model T would be rolling too, but for the lid wearing so thin you can see through it- that seems to be their big weak point. Also their barrel lid seal is a LOT trickier, they have zero tolerance for any thing but a pristine mating area, and even at that I usually got quite a bit of slurry dribble before it stops leaking. I don't know, nobody seems to make a perfect tumbler, and its really too bad because given the state of the offerings, a definitive quality device from a company with a bit of empathy for their customers would win a lot of favor here I think. |
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Post by akansan on Aug 29, 2007 19:53:31 GMT -5
Hey Rally - Duct tape works as a stay on the Thumler's lids until you can get a new one. And the black lids seem to last much longer than the white lids did...
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