lapis60
having dreams about rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 65
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Post by lapis60 on Sept 15, 2021 8:30:20 GMT -5
Could someone talk me out of getting a QT12? Should I go bigger?😁
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Sept 15, 2021 8:38:53 GMT -5
Go bigger, you only spend the money once, the filler material is cheap and can be used many times ! The grit cost is a little more but if you skip one beer a vweek your budget wont change much !
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inbtb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2016
Posts: 351
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Post by inbtb on Sept 15, 2021 8:59:22 GMT -5
Buy 2 12's instead of 1 bigger tumbler.
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Post by perkins17 on Sept 15, 2021 9:14:16 GMT -5
Go for it. I would if I had the means to.
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Post by HankRocks on Sept 15, 2021 9:35:54 GMT -5
For me, the Thumlers Model B is as big as I care to go. I can handle the 15 pounds + water + barrel weight for cleanouts. Anything bigger than that, a 20 pounder or a 40 pounder is really beyond what I care to put my back through. I consider myself in shape and decently strong and the larger tumblers scare me.
I do have a few large odd shaped rocks that would work much better in a 20 pound tumbler, it's just not going to happen.
Bottom line, make sure you are prepared to handle the weight on a regular basis.
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lapis60
having dreams about rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 65
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Post by lapis60 on Sept 15, 2021 9:59:45 GMT -5
The only problem now is finding one for sale.🤨
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Post by HankRocks on Sept 15, 2021 10:10:06 GMT -5
Finding a lot of things these days is a problem. I can imagine that there are a lot of tumblers sitting around unused, if you can just get your hands on them.
All these shortages are just one of the benefits of the Global Economy!!
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lapis60
having dreams about rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 65
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Post by lapis60 on Sept 15, 2021 14:54:24 GMT -5
Well, I was offered a QT66 in place of the 12.can I put a QT12 drum on later?
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Post by Rockindad on Sept 15, 2021 17:25:05 GMT -5
Well, I was offered a QT66 in place of the 12.can I put a QT12 drum on later? Absolutely, that is one of the benefits of the unit- the flexibility to run two six pounders or a single twelve. We run a QT-66 full time and two Thumlers Model B’s (15 pounders) full time in addition to some smaller ones as needed. Not really knowing your situation a couple things to keep in mind: -If you are currently running one or two three pound barrels and find the hobby expensive, you’ll be in for a shock. If you can self collect your material that will not be so bad. -To what level do you want to take your rocks? No right or wrong answer it’s just that 12, 15 or larger barrels hold a lot of rocks, especially when you are inspecting/cutting/grinding each one in the pursuit of “perfection”. If you don’t mind various flaws this may not be so much of an issue. All this being said, even though we are currently at our sweet spot capacity-wise, if I had the opportunity to pick up another QT-66 for a good deal I would jump on it.
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lapis60
having dreams about rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 65
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Post by lapis60 on Sept 15, 2021 19:08:08 GMT -5
Well, I was offered a QT66 in place of the 12.can I put a QT12 drum on later? Absolutely, that is one of the benefits of the unit- the flexibility to run two six pounders or a single twelve. We run a QT-66 full time and two Thumlers Model B’s (15 pounders) full time in addition to some smaller ones as needed. Not really knowing your situation a couple things to keep in mind: -If you are currently running one or two three pound barrels and find the hobby expensive, you’ll be in for a shock. If you can self collect your material that will not be so bad. -To what level do you want to take your rocks? No right or wrong answer it’s just that 12, 15 or larger barrels hold a lot of rocks, especially when you are inspecting/cutting/grinding each one in the pursuit of “perfection”. If you don’t mind various flaws this may not be so much of an issue. All this being said, even though we are currently at our sweet spot capacity-wise, if I had the opportunity to pick up another QT-66 for a good deal I would jump on it. Thank you. I went with the QT66.I use an extra barrel and dedicate it to polishing. My plan is to continue using the smaller tumbler for harder to polish rough that takes some care and learning of what works.
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JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 751
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Post by JR8675309 on Sept 16, 2021 5:10:12 GMT -5
For the Q12, what's the biggest size slab one could tumble in it? Just curious. Tx.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,666
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Post by Fossilman on Sept 16, 2021 10:18:52 GMT -5
I have the Lortone 12#'er... Enjoy it and can tumble some big material with it, just did a three pound piece of petwood in it a few years ago, came out great... I bought mine used without the barrel and than bought the barrel at a buddies rock shop. Total cost was much cheaper than buying new... Ebay has them on their site, if you can get in on the bids or buy outright..
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bonnie
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2021
Posts: 3
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Post by bonnie on Sept 23, 2021 21:57:12 GMT -5
For me, the Thumlers Model B is as big as I care to go. I can handle the 15 pounds + water + barrel weight for cleanouts. Anything bigger than that, a 20 pounder or a 40 pounder is really beyond what I care to put my back through. I consider myself in shape and decently strong and the larger tumblers scare me. I do have a few large odd shaped rocks that would work much better in a 20 pound tumbler, it's just not going to happen. Bottom line, make sure you are prepared to handle the weight on a regular basis.
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bonnie
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2021
Posts: 3
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Post by bonnie on Sept 23, 2021 21:58:42 GMT -5
Yes sir, i agree, take care of the bod!
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Post by Bob on Oct 6, 2021 16:29:35 GMT -5
A QT12 was highly recommended to be my first tumbler by a friend who had been tumbling 40 years. I'm now in my 7th year, and would also recommend it as the first to someone else.
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Post by Starguy on Oct 6, 2021 17:09:26 GMT -5
lapis60I signed up with Kingsley North to be notified when Lortone 33Bs were available. It only took a couple days and buying it was easy. COVID has messed up a lot of things. I’m happy that I’m vaccinated. Good luck finding a tumbler. I’m looking for another too.
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Post by Mel on Oct 15, 2021 17:56:21 GMT -5
I did as many suggest here; bought a QT66 and a second 12 pound barrel. Now QTs are all I care to run in my shop. I can do almost anything I want (within reason) buuuuuuut as many can attest, I'm not always reasonable, so am in the market for a 44 pound Lortone next
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Post by Bob on Oct 25, 2021 14:52:53 GMT -5
I did as many suggest here; bought a QT66 and a second 12 pound barrel. Now QTs are all I care to run in my shop. I can do almost anything I want (within reason) buuuuuuut as many can attest, I'm not always reasonable, so am in the market for a 44 pound Lortone next Be careful if you get that Lortone C40. When I got mine, I was so excited that I put all my pet wood after 2 years of collecting into it, a full batch of just that. When I opened it a week later, it was 50%+ ruined and shattered. I was broken hearted. After visiting with the owner of Lortone, he said it had shipped with pulley configuration that made the RPM too fast, and he sent me the pulley that should have been on it. He was honest and professional and responsive, so I hold no bad feelings because we are all human. He probably appreciated that I was not out to tear into someone from the get go. Just don't make my mistake and put some of your best material in a new big barrel w/o testing it first!
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Post by Mel on Nov 3, 2021 13:19:13 GMT -5
Oh no!!! Your poor wood Thanks for the heads up. A 40 pound unit will likely be a long way off anyways, but it's nice to dream about polishing up all the random junky rocks I have.
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