High Capacity rock tumbler options?

Hi there,

I hope that this is the right forum.

I’m thinking of getting another high capacity rock tumbler, 30-40 lbs maybe or just a new barrel for my larger tumbler. This would be used for stage 1 using 36, 46/70, 80, or 60/90 depending on what I’m running. I have one now, but got it on ebay years ago, but the base still runs good. I have an older 45 lb. barrel but it’s seen better days, maybe a little more life in it and I have a 20 lb. barrel.

So my options seem to be the following:
• Get someone to make me a 30-40 lb barrel or make a new barrel myself with 8” sch 40 PVC (would like a sch 80 one or HDPE one, something like jamesp was writing about)
• Go buy a PVC, HDPE, or a barrel from one of the companies below.
    o Barrel with Lid for the Model 40-T Tumbler $170
    o Covington Engineering 40 lb. Barrel with liner and gasket. $355-$420 HIGH $$
    o Lortone 40 lb barrel $360 HIGH $$
    o C&M TOPLINE - TL-6 Tumbler Barrel ( 8 gal. Capacity ) – HDPE $245
    o C&M TOPLINE - TL-4 Tumbler Barrel ( 4 gal. Capacity ) due to size – HDPE $160
    o Other options?

• Buy another large capacity tumbler
    o Diamond Pacific Model 40-T Rock Tumbler Complete with Barrel $649-$660
    o Lortone Model 40lb Commercial Tumbler $715-$797 HIGH $$ but Lortone been good.
    o Covington Engineering 40 lb. Production Tumbler $780 HIGH $$
    o Lortone rock tumbler C200 $560
    o Lortone rock tumbler C300, is this one still made?
    o Lortone C20-2 $950, HIGH $$, my wife would kill me.

So what to do? What are some of your thought on the options above?

The lowest cost would to just buy a PVC barrel if I can find a good place to get one or try and go get the parts to build on.

I know I'm going off the deep end again.

David

This is the current larger base with ¼ hp motor which I have and the two barrels I use on it. Like I said the larger barrel has seem a lot of use and nearing the end.

And the Barrels




My current list of equipment:
6 – Lortone QT-12/66 - 5 currently working/running. One needs to be re-built.
1 – Lortone Qt-NR – Backup to run one 6lb barrel. Thinking of selling this one, works good.
3 – Lortone 33b – currently one running, the other two are in great shape.
1 – Lortone 33a – not using, but works good.
1 – Ultra Vibe UV-18 – running and I also have a UV-10 bowl to use for polish on the UV-18
1 – Larger tumbler1/4 hp – running right now with a 20 lb barrel
1 – Lortone 7” saw. Needs some work as it has been packed up since my move from CA to PA 4 years ago. I got it used and haven’t used it too much. I may sell this off since I’m not really using it.
1 – Vintage Sears rock tumbler which I’m not using.