magentadeb
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2018
Posts: 12
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Post by magentadeb on Mar 29, 2018 19:50:17 GMT -5
I currently have a Lortone double 3lb tumbler but have some bigger rocks I want to tumble. Most of our rocks are beach rocks but some can be up to 3-4 inches. Would a 6lb or 12lb be better? I'm thinking it might take a while to get enough for a 12 but would rocks of this size fit in a 6lb? Thanks!
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fishnpinball
Cave Dweller
So much to learn, so little time
Member since March 2017
Posts: 1,491
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Post by fishnpinball on Mar 29, 2018 19:52:32 GMT -5
most 12 pounds are just double length 6 pounders, so no real difference. A 3-4 inch rock is possible in them, though you want one or two big ones in a batch.
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Post by MsAli on Mar 29, 2018 20:07:24 GMT -5
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Post by gmitch067 on Mar 29, 2018 21:18:30 GMT -5
The Lortone QT66/12 is a very versatile machine magentadeb . I initially bought the QT66 configuration but later bought a spare 12 lb barrel to handle the larger loads - and larger stones (purchased from The Rock Shed in South Dakota). I now have two QT66/12 machines and they are my main workhorses for the hobby (one configured with two 6 lb barrels, and one with the single 12 lb barrel). Just like your 33B rotary tumbler, the QT66/12 using two 6 lb barrels allows you to process loads of different hardness at the same time. If you only have enough to fill a single 6 lb barrel... that is fine... just use only that one barrel on the QT66/12... it does not mind at all. Now... I mainly run the rocks through the coarse grit stages (using 45/47, 60/90, and 80-grit silicon carbide - not done one after the other in that order... I just use one of those grits as I might have available... until they are nicely shaped... 1-2 months. I then transfer the loads to the UV-18 vibratory tumbler to process them to a polish. Even with ceramic media, I still need 10-12 lbs of shaped rocks to run a load... Those QT66/12 rotary tumblers are getting a good workout in supplying my needs! Even if getting a vibratory tumbler is only a future thought, the QT66/12 rotary tumblers develop a fine polish all by themselves. Very versatile... Glenn
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