USMC15
Cave Dweller 
I feel like I just came out of the tumbler ...
Member since March 2021
Posts: 273
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Post by USMC15 on Mar 30, 2021 10:13:38 GMT -5
Someone is going to be featured on NatGeo primetime.
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irlcjrohr
starting to spend too much on rocks
If it does not melt, polish it.
Member since April 2020
Posts: 123
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Post by irlcjrohr on Mar 30, 2021 11:27:43 GMT -5
Jugglerguy , I used the Nat Geo pro almost continually for 2 1/2 years. I got the tumbler because my daughter and I had been rock hounding while hiking and want to polish some of the rocks we found. It is a complete kit so a beginner can start out without having to research grits, polish, tumbling media and methods. I wish the instructions were better and kit contents included a better final polish.
- The basic kit did not perform to my expectations - So I looked into books and resources to help me get the results I wanted
- The 3 speeds do more harm than good. I think are designed to help make the process more palatable for an impatient society and to produce some quick results
- After a few complete cycles I ran it only on the low speed. To many damaged rocks in later stages.
- The rollers deteriorated and finally the motor failed and I could not find a replacement.
- The price is not much different from a better quality tumbler.
- The barrel is not as deep as the lortone it is also larger in diameter. The rocks 'fall' more in the nat geo. That may have caused some of the bruising at the higher speeds.
![]() I have since moved to the lortone model 33b for the first stages and a lot-o for the final tumbling stages
dead tumbler
lortone 3lb barrel vs Nat Geo 3lb barrel
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electrocutus
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2020
Posts: 341 
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Post by electrocutus on Mar 30, 2021 20:56:27 GMT -5
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Post by Jugglerguy on Mar 30, 2021 21:04:50 GMT -5
Jugglerguy , I used the Nat Geo pro almost continually for 2 1/2 years. I got the tumbler because my daughter and I had been rock hounding while hiking and want to polish some of the rocks we found. It is a complete kit so a beginner can start out without having to research grits, polish, tumbling media and methods. I wish the instructions were better and kit contents included a better final polish.
- The basic kit did not perform to my expectations - So I looked into books and resources to help me get the results I wanted
- The 3 speeds do more harm than good. I think are designed to help make the process more palatable for an impatient society and to produce some quick results
- After a few complete cycles I ran it only on the low speed. To many damaged rocks in later stages.
- The rollers deteriorated and finally the motor failed and I could not find a replacement.
- The price is not much different from a better quality tumbler.
- The barrel is not as deep as the lortone it is also larger in diameter. The rocks 'fall' more in the nat geo. That may have caused some of the bruising at the higher speeds.
![]() I have since moved to the lortone model 33b for the first stages and a lot-o for the final tumbling stages dead tumbler
lortone 3lb barrel vs Nat Geo 3lb barrel
Thanks for the information! I am just finishing up my first load. I have made a lot of the same observations, but durability is one thing that I can't observe quickly. My first video about it should be out in the next week or two. |
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electrocutus
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2020
Posts: 341
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Post by electrocutus on Mar 31, 2021 16:53:44 GMT -5
Another question that just came to mind now that I have a Lortone to compare. The Lortone runs quite warm and the metal casing around the motor is very warm to the touch. The instruction books says this is totally normal. The Dr. Cool / Nat Geo tumlber runs very cool. I feel almost no warm up of the case while it's running.
I don't know much about electricity, but do they use different types of motors? If so, which one uses less electricity?
Something else to ponder wile comparing tumblers.
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irlcjrohr
starting to spend too much on rocks
If it does not melt, polish it.
Member since April 2020
Posts: 123
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Post by irlcjrohr on Mar 31, 2021 18:09:51 GMT -5
Another question that just came to mind now that I have a Lortone to compare. The Lortone runs quite warm and the metal casing around the motor is very warm to the touch. The instruction books says this is totally normal. The Dr. Cool / Nat Geo tumlber runs very cool. I feel almost no warm up of the case while it's running. I don't know much about electricity, but do they use different types of motors? If so, which one uses less electricity? Something else to ponder wile comparing tumblers. Lortone motor is 120 vac motor and the nat geo is a low voltage motor. The power supply for the nat geo is a step down power block that plugged into the wall. I did not measure the voltage when mine died.
I went to look to see if I could find any mention of the power supply and did not find it.
I did find they have something called GemFoam?
"NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Rock Tumbler Media – GemFoam Reusable Rock Polisher Foam, Use After Rock Tumbler Grit Cycles, Adds Shine to Tumbled Rocks and Minerals, Rock Tumbling Supplies"
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,432
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Post by Wooferhound on Mar 31, 2021 19:42:22 GMT -5
I feel almost no warm up of the case while it's running. I don't know much about electricity, but do they use different types of motors? If so, which one uses less electricity?
Yes , the Lortone 3A and 3B motors run rather hot. I actually open the case and oil the motor bearings occasionally. Drilled a big hole in the case so the fan can pull in more air.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Mar 31, 2021 20:16:52 GMT -5
Another question that just came to mind now that I have a Lortone to compare. The Lortone runs quite warm and the metal casing around the motor is very warm to the touch. The instruction books says this is totally normal. The Dr. Cool / Nat Geo tumlber runs very cool. I feel almost no warm up of the case while it's running. I don't know much about electricity, but do they use different types of motors? If so, which one uses less electricity? Something else to ponder wile comparing tumblers. Lortone motor is 120 vac motor and the nat geo is a low voltage motor. The power supply for the nat geo is a step down power block that plugged into the wall. I did not measure the voltage when mine died. I went to look to see if I could find any mention of the power supply and did not find it.
I did find they have something called GemFoam? "NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Rock Tumbler Media – GemFoam Reusable Rock Polisher Foam, Use After Rock Tumbler Grit Cycles, Adds Shine to Tumbled Rocks and Minerals, Rock Tumbling Supplies"
Yes, there are little foam cubes that are used for burnishing. They have no abrasive in them according to National Geographic. I’m taking them out of the Gem Foam stage tomorrow. I can’t imagine it making any difference in the lack of polish after that “polish” stage. |
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,512
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Post by Brian on Mar 31, 2021 20:51:11 GMT -5
Lortone motor is 120 vac motor and the nat geo is a low voltage motor. The power supply for the nat geo is a step down power block that plugged into the wall. I did not measure the voltage when mine died. I went to look to see if I could find any mention of the power supply and did not find it.
I did find they have something called GemFoam? "NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Rock Tumbler Media – GemFoam Reusable Rock Polisher Foam, Use After Rock Tumbler Grit Cycles, Adds Shine to Tumbled Rocks and Minerals, Rock Tumbling Supplies"
Yes, there are little foam cubes that are used for burnishing. They have no abrasive in them according to National Geographic. I’m taking them out of the Gem Foam stage tomorrow. I can’t imagine it making any difference in the lack of polish after that “polish” stage. I’m curious about those GemFoam things. Do you have a picture of them? Is it possible that it is a melamine foam similar to a Magic Eraser? Unless it is a tough foam, I could not imagine them holding up for very long. |
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 1, 2021 8:26:38 GMT -5
Yes, there are little foam cubes that are used for burnishing. They have no abrasive in them according to National Geographic. I’m taking them out of the Gem Foam stage tomorrow. I can’t imagine it making any difference in the lack of polish after that “polish” stage. I’m curious about those GemFoam things. Do you have a picture of them? Is it possible that it is a melamine foam similar to a Magic Eraser? Unless it is a tough foam, I could not imagine them holding up for very long. They are a medium softness foam. The directions say that they can be used up to six times. Here’s a picture of me squeezing one.    |
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,512
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Post by Brian on Apr 1, 2021 8:55:08 GMT -5
Thanks for posting those pictures, Rob! That just looks like a typical foam, such as polyethylene foam. I'd hate to see how they look after six uses.
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irlcjrohr
starting to spend too much on rocks
If it does not melt, polish it.
Member since April 2020
Posts: 123
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Post by irlcjrohr on Apr 1, 2021 12:50:18 GMT -5
I’m curious about those GemFoam things. Do you have a picture of them? Is it possible that it is a melamine foam similar to a Magic Eraser? Unless it is a tough foam, I could not imagine them holding up for very long. They are a medium softness foam. The directions say that they can be used up to six times. Here’s a picture of me squeezing one. Everything I have read about foam for polishing implies there will be a polishing compound used with the foam. The only thing I can think of is as the grit breaks down the foam will provide a more uniform and smooth contact surface. |
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 1, 2021 15:14:56 GMT -5
I just took the rocks out of the foam. The water was black. The foam cubes were slightly rounded on the edges. The rocks looked just like they did when they went in, dull. The agates had a very slight polish, but the rose quartz and tiger's eye had no polish whatsoever. I'm working on finishing up the video now.
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electrocutus
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2020
Posts: 341
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Post by electrocutus on Apr 2, 2021 15:54:23 GMT -5
Now that I have a bit more experience, I've decided to go back to my very first batch and re-polish them with proper AO polish. When I first got my tumbler, I used the grit supplied with it for beach rocks I gathered while on vacation last year. That was what made me want to get a tumbler in the fist place. Although they are all nice, only a few had a "decent" shine. Now that I know, I am pretty sure it's 90% because of the grits supplied with the tumbler. I did a couple of "manual rub' tests and I think I can get a good shine on most of them, with proper polish.
I'll know in a few weeks :-)
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 2, 2021 19:32:51 GMT -5
Now that I have a bit more experience, I've decided to go back to my very first batch and re-polish them with proper AO polish. When I first got my tumbler, I used the grit supplied with it for beach rocks I gathered while on vacation last year. That was what made me want to get a tumbler in the fist place. Although they are all nice, only a few had a "decent" shine. Now that I know, I am pretty sure it's 90% because of the grits supplied with the tumbler. I did a couple of "manual rub' tests and I think I can get a good shine on most of them, with proper polish. I'll know in a few weeks :-) Good luck! |
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 6, 2021 18:57:56 GMT -5
The first of two videos is on YouTube now. This was a review of the tumbler including tumbling the rocks that came with the tumbler using the included grit and following the directions with commentary along the way. The next video, which I have just started will be showing how to successfully polish rocks with this machine.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 6, 2021 20:48:26 GMT -5
Great job on that! Curious to see the next one now.
This is really gonna help a lot of people. Sooooo many come here new and are frustrated with the results they get. Now they will know- it's NOT THEM. It's the lack of proper grit.
When you cranked that up to the third speed, I was thinking, no way. That can't be good for tumbling. It just sounds and looks so dang fast.
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Benathema
has rocks in the head
God chased me down and made sure I knew He was real June 20, 2022. I've been on a Divine Mission.
Member since November 2019
Posts: 703
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Post by Benathema on Apr 6, 2021 23:01:11 GMT -5
I'll watch this tonight, but for now I'll say you have the thumbnail clickbait on lock.  |
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willp2003
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2021
Posts: 7
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Post by willp2003 on Apr 7, 2021 7:11:03 GMT -5
Good video. I’m still on stage 1 of my first batch, but have been adding rocks each week. I think by the weekend I’ll have enough to go to stage 2.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 7, 2021 7:18:21 GMT -5
I'll watch this tonight, but for now I'll say you have the thumbnail clickbait on lock. I wasn't sure what to do with the thumbnail and title. The text in the thumbnail is pretty overused for YouTube videos, but I think it might be effective, so I went with it. I was happy I thought to put a yellow rectangle around the whole thing, I think that looks good. |
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