meanie
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2019
Posts: 8
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Post by meanie on May 31, 2019 15:34:57 GMT -5
I have a lortone 33b right now, but I'd like to upgrade to something bigger so as to get through step 1 faster. I'm thinking about the lortone qt66 or the qt12. It looks like the only difference between the two is that one has a 12lb barrel and the other comes with two six lb ones. Is that correct? Would rocks be shaped much faster in the 12lb barrel vs two sixes? My husband takes our boys camping a lot this time of year and comes back with loads of rocks, so filling it won't be a problem. What do you guys advise? (I'm leaning towards getting the qt66, just so I can have two batches going at once.) Thanks!
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agatemaggot
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Member since August 2006
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Post by agatemaggot on May 31, 2019 15:53:53 GMT -5
The 12 lb. barrel will grind faster because of the weight of the rocks pressing against each other. Think of it as using a sanding block with sandpaper, the harder you press down the faster it smooths the wood !
Did that make sense ?
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meanie
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2019
Posts: 8
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Post by meanie on May 31, 2019 16:25:55 GMT -5
Yes, definitely, but my thinking was because both barrels look to have the same diameter, there might not be a huge difference between the two. I'll get the 12lb if it's significantly faster, but if it's not, I'd rather opt for the two sixes.
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Post by miket on May 31, 2019 16:48:57 GMT -5
I was in the same boat, I had a 33b and now also have the qt66. I can't speak to the 12lb barrel, but I do know that the 6lb is quicker that the 3lb so it would stand to reason that a 12lb would be faster yet. I like two barrels, however, so I can run one type of stone in each if I need to. Right now I have my rocks in one of the sixes and my son's rocks in the other.
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Post by Garage Rocker on May 31, 2019 17:00:35 GMT -5
I have both the QT66 and the 12 and if I could only keep one, I would take the QT66 all day long. Don't get me wrong, I love the 12 lb. barrel also, but the 66 gives you more flexibility, less weight to lift at cleanout and grinds just as well as the 12. Easy choice.
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pizzano
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Member since February 2018
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Post by pizzano on May 31, 2019 17:16:30 GMT -5
If I had to do it all over again, I would have purchased a single barrel +6lb rotary........I still own two dual barrel (3lb barrel's ea.), thinking I'd never grind more than 5 to 6lbs at a time.........my bad.
As stated by others, you'll get better results with a rotary with more volume in each load........even if it means adding filler to to make up the difference........Just my experience with little 3 pounders.
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tomg
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2019
Posts: 103
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Post by tomg on May 31, 2019 17:21:55 GMT -5
I would probably go with the 66. You can fill both barrels and when half of your rocks are ready to move on sort them out and go to finer grit in one barrel while continuing the coarse in the other. You can always buy a 12 lb barrel and run it on your frame if you want.
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Tommy
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Member since January 2013
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Post by Tommy on May 31, 2019 17:31:01 GMT -5
You'll get another vote for the 66 from me. I have one from when I first started tumbling and even though I haven't ran it in years I remember times - most of the time probably - when I was only running one of the barrels. I never got a 12 lb barrel for it tho so my opinion is biased.
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Post by Rockindad on May 31, 2019 18:42:26 GMT -5
We literally just went through this, actually just received our QT-66 today and just put the first two loads on. For us it was an easy choice as we like to run a lot of different materials that vary greatly in hardness. My sons first two choices for the new tumbler were Kambaba Jasper and Mixed Glass. Not a good combo to run together and this machine allows us to do a nice amount of each at the same time.
Another consideration may be size. We went with the six pound barrels because of what we already have. Before our addition today we had one 2 lb., two 3 lb. and one 15 lb. barrel for rotary along with the vibe. While we love the Thumler's Model B (the 15 pounder) it is no doubt a lot of work- to feed and clean. It may be a bit of culture shock going from 3 pound barrels to a 12 pounder. That being said, if I could start over I would at the very least skip the two pounder and maybe even the threes and start with sixes.
As far as grind rate the 6 and 12 pound barrels will probably be very similar if not identical as they are both the same diameter and the rocks are subject to the same fall when they are on top and will likely have the same amount of rocks directly above them applying force/abrasion when they make their way to the bottom.
Al
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Post by Garage Rocker on May 31, 2019 19:12:28 GMT -5
You may get 20 more responses telling you to get the QT66. At least, as many people that read this who own a QT66. Just get it now and if you don't love it, I'll send you the remainder of my rock collection.
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Post by aDave on May 31, 2019 19:13:41 GMT -5
Count me in with the QT66 crowd for many of the reasons that folks already mentioned. I really like mine. Doing cleanouts on 6 pound barrels are pretty manageable - and having the two barrels definitely afford more flexibility. You can use one barrel for coarse, and one barrel for the remaining stages, or you can do one stage at a time in both. The nice thing is it is your call.
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Post by Garage Rocker on May 31, 2019 19:23:19 GMT -5
I was in the same boat, I had a 33b and now also have the qt66. I can't speak to the 12lb barrel, but I do know that the 6lb is quicker that the 3lb so it would stand to reason that a 12lb would be faster yet. I like two barrels, however, so I can run one type of stone in each if I need to. Right now I have my rocks in one of the sixes and my son's rocks in the other. Actually, Mike, I find that there is no discernable difference between the 6lb. and 12lb. barrels. In fact, I get better results in my 6lb. barrels. The barrels are the same diameter, but I load larger tumbles in the 12lb. barrel and don't always get as good a mix of sizes as I do in the 6lb. barrels. This is entirely my fault and I'm sure there is at least as much grinding force in the 12lb. barrel. It has more to do with the way I use them. Both serve their purpose in my shop (garage).
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Post by miket on May 31, 2019 19:53:01 GMT -5
I was in the same boat, I had a 33b and now also have the qt66. I can't speak to the 12lb barrel, but I do know that the 6lb is quicker that the 3lb so it would stand to reason that a 12lb would be faster yet. I like two barrels, however, so I can run one type of stone in each if I need to. Right now I have my rocks in one of the sixes and my son's rocks in the other. Actually, Mike, I find that there is no discernable difference between the 6lb. and 12lb. barrels. In fact, I get better results in my 6lb. barrels. The barrels are the same diameter, but I load larger tumbles in the 12lb. barrel and don't always get as good a mix of sizes as I do in the 6lb. barrels. This is entirely my fault and I'm sure there is at least as much grinding force in the 12lb. barrel. It has more to do with the way I use them. Both serve their purpose in my shop (garage). Good to know. I think the 6 pounder is harder and quicker on the stones I tumble than the 3 pounder. I tumble the cabs and obsidian in the 3 pounders I think it's a little more gentle on my babies.
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meanie
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2019
Posts: 8
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Post by meanie on May 31, 2019 20:00:14 GMT -5
Awesome, thanks everyone for all the replies--looks like I'll be getting the qt66. (just as soon as the rock shed gets it back in stock)
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fredito
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Member since May 2016
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Post by fredito on May 31, 2019 23:05:30 GMT -5
I have the 66. I run stage 1&2 in one barrel and 3&4 in the other. Basically I will be running stages 1&3 or 2&4 at the same time.
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
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Post by Fossilman on Jun 1, 2019 9:06:11 GMT -5
I just bought the old QT, than called the NR...… I will roll half nodules in mine... Most won't fit in the smaller barrels….
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Post by rmf on Jun 1, 2019 9:41:21 GMT -5
meanie The Lortone QT66 and the Lortone QT12 are the same exact frame and motor. the only difference is the two drum vs the one drum. I have been told all my hobby life get the tumbler size based on how much rock you have to tumble. This is so true. If you like to tumble and you have a good supply of cheap rock then get the bigger tumbler. We have sold a number of QT12s where the customer also either buys or comes back to buy two 6# drums or vice versa. This provides a lot of flexibility. You can do coarse grinding in the #12 barrel and finer grinds and polish in a #6 drum. That keeps one drum for just polishing reducing the chance of stray grit getting in the polish. Since you already have a 33B then you can do the same by doing polishing in the 33B and grit grinding in a QT66 or QT12.
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Post by Rockindad on Jun 2, 2019 13:25:39 GMT -5
Awesome, thanks everyone for all the replies--looks like I'll be getting the qt66. (just as soon as the rock shed gets it back in stock) Sorry meanie, I think I got the last one. The good news is that they are pretty good about getting things back in stock quickly. If you can, load up on some other supplies when you get the tumbler as they offer discounts on rocks and grit when you purchase one. The one thing I really like about them is that they always try to cut the shipping cost. On our last order they unboxed the tumbler, barrels, etc. from the factory packaging and repacked it along with the rest of our order into a single box. This made for a very large savings from the quoted shipping price. Al
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Post by miket on Jun 2, 2019 14:06:37 GMT -5
Awesome, thanks everyone for all the replies--looks like I'll be getting the qt66. (just as soon as the rock shed gets it back in stock) Sorry meanie , I think I got the last one. The good news is that they are pretty good about getting things back in stock quickly. If you can, load up on some other supplies when you get the tumbler as they offer discounts on rocks and grit when you purchase one. The one thing I really like about them is that they always try to cut the shipping cost. On our last order they unboxed the tumbler, barrels, etc. from the factory packaging and repacked it along with the rest of our order into a single box. This made for a very large savings from the quoted shipping price. Al Plus you get tootsie rolls 😁
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Post by Rockindad on Jun 2, 2019 14:20:30 GMT -5
Sorry meanie , I think I got the last one. The good news is that they are pretty good about getting things back in stock quickly. If you can, load up on some other supplies when you get the tumbler as they offer discounts on rocks and grit when you purchase one. The one thing I really like about them is that they always try to cut the shipping cost. On our last order they unboxed the tumbler, barrels, etc. from the factory packaging and repacked it along with the rest of our order into a single box. This made for a very large savings from the quoted shipping price. Al Plus you get tootsie rolls 😁 Yeah right, A.J. always steals them! Al
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