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Post by Jugglerguy on Aug 9, 2023 15:45:53 GMT -5
Sorry, RockyBeach, I don't own either of those machines, so I don't have a video about how to use them. |
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RockyBeach
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2023
Posts: 361
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Post by RockyBeach on Aug 9, 2023 16:21:54 GMT -5
Sorry, RockyBeach , I don't own either of those machines, so I don't have a video about how to use them. Dang ... If you lived nearby I could lend you mine for a week or two so's you could make a video ! Takes me that long to tumble a bunch to fill up the Vibe so there it sits idle waiting patiently to be fed ! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us here and on YouTube ... have learned a lot from the time spent with you and your family gathering and tumbling rocks. |
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skmcconnell361
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 125 
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Post by skmcconnell361 on Aug 10, 2023 9:00:32 GMT -5
Jugglerguy, Last month I saw the National Geographic Rock Tumbler Hobby Edition on Amazon and bought it (My first Tumbler). I started as soon as it arrived. Yes, I made the first mistake of reading the instructions. but got to start somewhere Right? I figured I could do some research while waiting. First came across RockTumbler.com and ordered Steve Hart's book Modern Rock Tumbling." Then I came across your YouTube videos. Between Steve's book and Your videos, I soon realized that I really did not have enough grit to do the batch that came with the Tumbler. 1/2 pound gemstones in the tumbler plus one pound gemstones and one pound jasper refill kits. I decided to go ahead and see the instructions through to the end. but lowered my expectations after watching your review of the National Geographic Professional Rock Tumbler. I went back to my tumbling log and added some notes, yes step one should be repeated 1 or 2 times for best results. I guess I have crossed over into Scinse since I started to write it down LOL. BTY it was your link in the above video that led me to this forum. and I also ordered so Alumumam Oxide Polishe from the Rock Shed. for step 5. That should get me the results I am looking for. Last week I saw Harbor Freight Duel Barrel tumbler at the grand opening of one of their new stores near me. Good thing I got it also because two days into step four I ran into trouble with the Nat Geo tumbler. it will start but then quit after a minute or two and all seven lights flash. I emailed the help desk and waiting for them to respond back. after reading the instructions I gave the bushings on the new tumbler a drop of 3 in 1 oil and moved the barrel over to the Harbor Freight tumbler. I know, "Real Men don't read instructions", but smart ones do and learn accordingly. This problem with Nat Geo has slowed me down both figuratively and literally, but it is not going to stop me LOL. Sorry for the long post but you have taught me a lot with your videos and I think you the Rock Shed will be my main source of supplies.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Aug 10, 2023 16:20:37 GMT -5
From what I've heard, National Geographic stands behind their two year warranty. I have also heard that they replace broken hobby tumblers with the professional version. The Harbor Freight tumbler doesn't have a great track record either. Make sure you turned out the little tab at the end of the machine that keeps the barrel from rubbing on the end to the base. It should only rub against the little tab which reduces friction.
Good luck!
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skmcconnell361
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 125
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Post by skmcconnell361 on Aug 10, 2023 17:36:48 GMT -5
From what I've heard, National Geographic stands behind their two year warranty. I have also heard that they replace broken hobby tumblers with the professional version. The Harbor Freight tumbler doesn't have a great track record either. Make sure you turned out the little tab at the end of the machine that keeps the barrel from rubbing on the end to the base. It should only rub against the little tab which reduces friction. Good luck! Well I will let you know, Nat Geo replied back after I confirmed my address, and said the replacement is on its way. I know now to only use the slowest setting. I noticed that the barrels that came with the Harbor Freight Tumbler was smooth on the inside but the Nat Geo barrels have many flat surfaces much like a bolt. I would think that the corrugated surface would better enhance tumbling action at the lower speeds. That was the other thing I notice the Harbor Freight tumbler turns about half the speed as the Nat Geo tumbler. so far the nat geo barrel has stayed in the center of the Harbor Freight tumbler and has not moved that much. but yes I did move the tabs out Just noticed, "Gets Rocks for Christmas"  My brother did get rocks for Christmas one year as a prank gift. He got a box of rocks from our Grandmothers driveway. it was hilarious because she was not know to pull pranks and His comment just topped it off perfectly. "And They weren't even pretty rocks either!" I guess that is what this hobby is for making dull rough rocks into pretty rocks. |
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skmcconnell361
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 125
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Post by skmcconnell361 on Aug 14, 2023 7:01:38 GMT -5
I got the replacement Hobby Tumbler Sat afternoon, They actually replaced the entire kit. So now I have an extra 1/2 pound of Gemstones to and grit packs experiment with before I start in on the refill kits.
I stumbled across an old post on this forum that mentioned the blinking lights on the hobby tumbler and that post said that the belt was slipping causing the RPM to drop tripping the error sensor. I inspected the tumbler base and found that both pulleys had a couple of rough spots at the molding seam on the inside grove. I scraped the ridge with a Exacto knife and followed up with an emery board. I also could feel and see ware on the belt already after just three weeks. So now I may be just down a drive belt.
I still give Nat Geo a good rating for costumer support replacing the tumbler basically with no questions asked. But I still had no idea what was happening or why until I stumbled across the post on this forum.
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My brother did get rocks for Christmas one year as a prank gift. He got a box of rocks from our Grandmothers driveway. it was hilarious because she was not know to pull pranks and His comment just topped it off perfectly. "And They weren't even pretty rocks either!" I guess that is what this hobby is for making dull rough rocks into pretty rocks.
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