ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Oct 16, 2021 15:21:56 GMT -5
I've been wanting to get another Thumler's Model B for a while now, but they just haven't been available. I like the large capacity and hexagonal barrel. I found this 17lb tumbler on Kingsley North's website: kingsleynorth.com/rebel-17-tumbler-low-speed.htmlDoes this tumbler look like a good one? Does anyone have experience with it? I guess I'm just a little suspicious that it may not be as great as it seems since it's the only tumbler available that seems comparable to the model B. |
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Post by knave on Oct 16, 2021 15:53:49 GMT -5
Looks rugged. Built for the reloading industry maybe.
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Post by knave on Oct 16, 2021 15:57:07 GMT -5
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Oct 16, 2021 16:00:18 GMT -5
This company makes this tumbler in a high speed version, too, for "cleaning brass and stainless steel media."
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Post by knave on Oct 16, 2021 16:01:24 GMT -5
The high speed version lists 40 rpm which isn’t too bad for rough imo
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Post by knave on Oct 16, 2021 16:02:59 GMT -5
The tumbling barrel is powder coated black both inside and out. The size of the tumbling barrel is the same as the Thumler's Tumbler Model B tumbling barrel. It measures 9" diameter with the inside 7.25" diameter hexagon shape. Length of the tumbling barrel is 8.5". 5 year warranty.
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Oct 16, 2021 16:03:33 GMT -5
That is a great price! Looks like that is the high speed version, 3000 RPM. |
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Post by knave on Oct 16, 2021 16:04:38 GMT -5
Looks like 1/2” shafts and real bearings. Looks good.
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Oct 16, 2021 16:10:49 GMT -5
Looks like 1/2” shafts and real bearings. Looks good. Yeah, I really like that - a lot better than the Model B in that way for sure. |
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,512
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Post by Brian on Oct 16, 2021 18:22:30 GMT -5
It actually looks like it has quite a few upgrades over the Thumler Model B. If this had been available when I got my Model B, I probably would have gotten this model. Big pluses are the pillow block bearings and the 1/2” shaft. The Model B is rather flimsy in comparison. I just moved my Model B today and was reminded how flexible the frame is.
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Post by knave on Oct 16, 2021 18:44:14 GMT -5
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Post by parfive on Oct 16, 2021 21:16:56 GMT -5
Looks like a nice unit, except for no belt guard. Can’t say I like the belt and pulley hangin’ out, exposed like that.
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Oct 17, 2021 7:09:41 GMT -5
It actually looks like it has quite a few upgrades over the Thumler Model B. If this had been available when I got my Model B, I probably would have gotten this model. Big pluses are the pillow block bearings and the 1/2” shaft. The Model B is rather flimsy in comparison. I just moved my Model B today and was reminded how flexible the frame is. The Model B really is flimsy! Especially for supporting such a beefy barrel. |
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Oct 17, 2021 7:13:24 GMT -5
That is definitely a great price - looks like this one is the high speed model, 3000 RPM. The one I was looking at on Kingsley North's website is the low speed, 1250 RPM, which I'm assuming would be better for tumbling rocks. I don't have any experience tumbling metal parts, but it seems that those tumblers are always high speed. |
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Oct 17, 2021 7:17:58 GMT -5
Looks like a nice unit, except for no belt guard. Can’t say I like the belt and pulley hangin’ out, exposed like that. Yeah, it would be nice to have a belt guard. The Model B doesn't have one either. If only we who use rock tumblers could design the perfect tumbler for mass production! I guess that's why many people make their own tumbler! |
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Post by holajonathan on Nov 20, 2021 12:57:42 GMT -5
I own two of the high speed versions (the only speed available when I got them). They are rugged and better than the Model B in every way (I also own a Model B). Real bearings are a huge upgrade over the model b. The shafts are many times thicker than the model B. The base is more sturdy than the model B and has good adjustable feet. The barrel is better than the model B (stainless). The Chinese motor is powerful and runs quietly. I am usually a little leery of Chinese motors, but this motor looks just like a little Fasco, and the design is tried-and-true. Replacement parts are cheaper than the model B and more readily available.
It's a shame that Thumler's didn't upgrade the Model B and produce it on a larger scale before a Chinese version jumped into the game. Say what you want about Chinese copy of a USA made product, but I spent over a year trying to get a Model B at the MSRP price before I bought the two Rebel tumblers. They just weren't making enough of them to meet market demand. After owning both, I would get the Rebel even if the Model B were available. It is much better. I am sometimes willing to pay a little more for USA made product, but when the Chinese product is cheaper and much better, my patriotism has its limits.
The high speed Rebel tumblers that I own are too fast for fragile rocks, but work very well for tumbling a single large rock + filler. The high speed version grinds fast, at least twice as fast as the model B, which is the slowest tumbler I own in terms of rough grinding. It takes the Model B at least 7 days to break down 46 grit Sic (10 days is even better), but the high speed Rebel B breaks it down in 3-4 days. The high speed version can be used with any rocks if tumbled with a thick slurry to cushion the load. The low speed version would be my #1 choice for a large tumbler. The high speed version is fun if you are willing to work with a thick, sticky slurry.
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brybry
Cave Dweller 
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,221
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Post by brybry on Nov 20, 2021 13:52:48 GMT -5
I love my Rebel 17. I have slower version but I'm going to get a pulley for faster RPMs for harder stuff and flip back to the factory pulley for softer stuff. I didn't even know it was on and running when I plugged it in until I noticed to the pulley spinning. The in line on/off switch is a treat.
Even picked up an extra barrel to put on my AR-12 deck. The little motor will turn it but I have to help it get started.
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Nov 20, 2021 18:07:32 GMT -5
I own two of the high speed versions (the only speed available when I got them). They are rugged and better than the Model B in every way (I also own a Model B). Real bearings are a huge upgrade over the model b. The shafts are many times thicker than the model B. The base is more sturdy than the model B and has good adjustable feet. The barrel is better than the model B (stainless). The Chinese motor is powerful and runs quietly. I am usually a little leery of Chinese motors, but this motor looks just like a little Fasco, and the design is tried-and-true. Replacement parts are cheaper than the model B and more readily available. It's a shame that Thumler's didn't upgrade the Model B and produce it on a larger scale before a Chinese version jumped into the game. Say what you want about Chinese copy of a USA made product, but I spent over a year trying to get a Model B at the MSRP price before I bought the two Rebel tumblers. They just weren't making enough of them to meet market demand. After owning both, I would get the Rebel even if the Model B were available. It is much better. I am sometimes willing to pay a little more for USA made product, but when the Chinese product is cheaper and much better, my patriotism has its limits. The high speed Rebel tumblers that I own are too fast for fragile rocks, but work very well for tumbling a single large rock + filler. The high speed version grinds fast, at least twice as fast as the model B, which is the slowest tumbler I own in terms of rough grinding. It takes the Model B at least 7 days to break down 46 grit Sic (10 days is even better), but the high speed Rebel B breaks it down in 3-4 days. The high speed version can be used with any rocks if tumbled with a thick slurry to cushion the load. The low speed version would be my #1 choice for a large tumbler. The high speed version is fun if you are willing to work with a thick, sticky slurry. Thanks, Jonathan - that is really helpful. I could tell it looked really sturdy from the photo, but I'm glad to hear that it actually is well made. Looks like this will be my next tumbler! |
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
Posts: 482
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Post by ericabelle on Nov 20, 2021 18:08:45 GMT -5
I love my Rebel 17. I have slower version but I'm going to get a pulley for faster RPMs for harder stuff and flip back to the factory pulley for softer stuff. I didn't even know it was on and running when I plugged it in until I noticed to the pulley spinning. The in line on/off switch is a treat. Even picked up an extra barrel to put on my AR-12 deck. The little motor will turn it but I have to help it get started. That is amazing that it is so quiet! I would definitely like to get the slower version - it would work better with the material I'm tumbling. |
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brybry
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Post by brybry on Nov 20, 2021 18:16:08 GMT -5
Even my wife was surprised. It's so quiet she said I could put it next to bed. Even loaded she found what little noise it made to be pleasant.
My Thumler AR-12 base is 10 times as loud on a good day. The back side of the motor isn't locked so it vibrates while running, even worse if there isn't a load running on it.
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