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Post by holajonathan on Nov 20, 2021 18:24:11 GMT -5
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! You're welcome, Erica. Nice to meet you, by the way. I checked out your instagram account and I enjoyed your beautiful photos. You are talented and know how to use your camera. Many on this forum, myself included, have some interest in photography. Rock tumbling and photography compliment each other well. |
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brybry
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Post by brybry on Nov 20, 2021 18:43:32 GMT -5
I got my unit from Kingsley and my spare barrel from Accubrass ( for some reason I couldn't get the last page the replacement barrel was on from Kingsley to show up).The Kingsley price has the shipping added in. Most likely anyone else, outside of Amazon, will charge shipping separate and you will likely pay close to if not the same. Even an Amazon order will charge shipping unless you have a Prime account. Most likely only lapidary/tumbling sites would carry the slower one.
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything
Member since April 2021
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Post by ericabelle on Nov 21, 2021 8:03:32 GMT -5
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! You're welcome, Erica. Nice to meet you, by the way. I checked out your instagram account and I enjoyed your beautiful photos. You are talented and know how to use your camera. Many on this forum, myself included, have some interest in photography. Rock tumbling and photography compliment each other well. Thank you so much! I really love photography and rarely go anywhere without my camera. I've got to get better at taking photos of my tumbled rocks, though. It's kind of challenging to get a photo of the colors and the shine! |
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
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Post by ericabelle on Nov 21, 2021 8:04:41 GMT -5
I got my unit from Kingsley and my spare barrel from Accubrass ( for some reason I couldn't get the last page the replacement barrel was on from Kingsley to show up).The Kingsley price has the shipping added in. Most likely anyone else, outside of Amazon, will charge shipping separate and you will likely pay close to if not the same. Even an Amazon order will charge shipping unless you have a Prime account. Most likely only lapidary/tumbling sites would carry the slower one. Thanks for the tips - and the last time I checked, Amazon only has the high speed version. |
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Post by Rockindad on Nov 21, 2021 9:18:23 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. Do the Thumler Model B barrels fit the Rebel base? Asking for a friend. We have two model B's with three barrels, the motor on the older one is getting tired. We are probably going to build a setup to hold all of our barrels but it's nice to have options. |
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Post by holajonathan on Nov 21, 2021 10:27:10 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. Do the Thumler Model B barrels fit the Rebel base? Asking for a friend. We have two model B's with three barrels, the motor on the older one is getting tired. We are probably going to build a setup to hold all of our barrels but it's nice to have options. Yes, the barrels are physically identical (external dimensions, at least). The Rebel barrel is stainless steel and has a thicker liner and better nuts (knobs) for sealing the lid. At $6 each, the lid seals are pretty cheap and last about as long as the Thumler's brand seals. I don't know about you, but when I use coarse SiC grit in the Model B the lid seal wears out pretty fast, although the inner liner is in great shape after almost 2 years of consistent use. |
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Post by holajonathan on Nov 21, 2021 10:48:34 GMT -5
You're welcome, Erica. Nice to meet you, by the way. I checked out your instagram account and I enjoyed your beautiful photos. You are talented and know how to use your camera. Many on this forum, myself included, have some interest in photography. Rock tumbling and photography compliment each other well. Thank you so much! I really love photography and rarely go anywhere without my camera. I've got to get better at taking photos of my tumbled rocks, though. It's kind of challenging to get a photo of the colors and the shine! With rocks, lighting is everything. I like indirect natural lighting best. For me, this means indoors near a bright window. A bright but cloudy day is best. Beyond that, just normal macro approach: tripod, narrow aperture (f9-f13), custom WB, and selecting an AF point away from any reflection / glare. |
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
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Post by ericabelle on Nov 21, 2021 11:49:41 GMT -5
Thank you so much! I really love photography and rarely go anywhere without my camera. I've got to get better at taking photos of my tumbled rocks, though. It's kind of challenging to get a photo of the colors and the shine! With rocks, lighting is everything. I like indirect natural lighting best. For me, this means indoors near a bright window. A bright but cloudy day is best. Beyond that, just normal macro approach: tripod, narrow aperture (f9-f13), custom WB, and selecting an AF point away from any reflection / glare. Great tips, Jonathan. I will have to try this with my macro lens soon. Oh, and I agree - rockhounding and photography do compliment each other. The only time I found it challenging is when I was hounding on some Oregon beaches a couple months ago, getting my hands sandy, then quickly trying to clean them off to take a photo. LOL I did find out that the rocks won, because I would come back with more rocks than photos! |
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Post by Rockindad on Nov 21, 2021 16:13:19 GMT -5
Do the Thumler Model B barrels fit the Rebel base? Asking for a friend. We have two model B's with three barrels, the motor on the older one is getting tired. We are probably going to build a setup to hold all of our barrels but it's nice to have options. Yes, the barrels are physically identical (external dimensions, at least). The Rebel barrel is stainless steel and has a thicker liner and better nuts (knobs) for sealing the lid. At $6 each, the lid seals are pretty cheap and last about as long as the Thumler's brand seals. I don't know about you, but when I use coarse SiC grit in the Model B the lid seal wears out pretty fast, although the inner liner is in great shape after almost 2 years of consistent use. Yep, keeping spare lid gaskets on hand is a must. Actually, I have a sheet of neoprene rubber on order which I should be getting this week. Going to start making my own which will be thicker. I honestly think the inner liners will outlast me and we use the hell out of these machines. |
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brybry
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Post by brybry on Nov 30, 2021 11:04:57 GMT -5
Another difference I noticed last night is the motor temps between the Thumlers and the Rebel. The Thumler motors run easily 2-3 times hotter than the Rebel motor. The Thumlers don't get so hot I can't leave my hand on them but compared to the Rebel motor, it's significantly warmer. I can barely feel any heat on the Rebel motor.
Some may feel the heat differently than I do. Being a cook I've been burned so much I don't really feel it anymore.
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ericabelle
spending too much on rocks
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Post by ericabelle on Dec 2, 2021 3:37:26 GMT -5
Another difference I noticed last night is the motor temps between the Thumlers and the Rebel. The Thumler motors run easily 2-3 times hotter than the Rebel motor. The Thumlers don't get so hot I can't leave my hand on them but compared to the Rebel motor, it's significantly warmer. I can barely feel any heat on the Rebel motor. Some may feel the heat differently than I do. Being a cook I've been burned so much I don't really feel it anymore. Oh, that is great. I worry about my Thumler's getting too hot in the middle of the summer in the shed. I run a fan in the shed just to circulate some air at that time of the year. It seems to extend the life of my belts, too. |
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Post by holajonathan on Dec 3, 2021 16:49:09 GMT -5
Another difference I noticed last night is the motor temps between the Thumlers and the Rebel. The Thumler motors run easily 2-3 times hotter than the Rebel motor. The Thumlers don't get so hot I can't leave my hand on them but compared to the Rebel motor, it's significantly warmer. I can barely feel any heat on the Rebel motor. Some may feel the heat differently than I do. Being a cook I've been burned so much I don't really feel it anymore. Oh, that is great. I worry about my Thumler's getting too hot in the middle of the summer in the shed. I run a fan in the shed just to circulate some air at that time of the year. It seems to extend the life of my belts, too. I know that very hot motors can be nerve wracking, but the kind of AC motor used on the Thumbler's Model B can get pretty hot without damaging the motor. The fan is still a good idea, but I wouldn't worry too much about frying it. |
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brybry
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Post by brybry on Dec 3, 2021 17:20:59 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. Do the Thumler Model B barrels fit the Rebel base? Asking for a friend. We have two model B's with three barrels, the motor on the older one is getting tired. We are probably going to build a setup to hold all of our barrels but it's nice to have options. Base & motors here stainlesstumblingmedia.com/shop/reloading-products/replacement-parts.htmlHaven't ordered from them but they seem to be one of the few if not the only one to carry just the base that I have found. They have both the 3k rpm and the 1250 rpm motor. |
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reeniebeany
starting to spend too much on rocks
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Post by reeniebeany on Dec 3, 2021 21:50:41 GMT -5
Both units say rubber lining.
Most of the rocks I want to start in the rotary are very rough/sharp from the 2 inch crushed we get from a local quarry.
Is it likely that they would tear up the liner, or is it a hard rubber like the Harbor Freight barrels?
Is the high speed too high for a mixed size load of hard rocks?
The size looks very dreamy compared to 3 pound barrels...
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brybry
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Post by brybry on Dec 4, 2021 6:42:11 GMT -5
The sharp rocks won't hurt it. HolaJonathan uses the 3k rpm version and I use the 1250 rpm version. The faster one may be a little rough on fragile stuff unless cushioned well but you would want to keep an eye on it as the rocks get smaller from grinding they'll have more room to bang around.
The faster version is cheaper but due to the 1/2" rods, modification is easy in the form of pully swaps.l picked up a $15 pully from ACE Hardware to get more RPMs but can swap back to the factory pulley to slow it down in just a few minutes. With 2 or 3 various sized pulleys you can tune it to work how you want it or just leave it alone and let it roll.
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Post by holajonathan on Dec 4, 2021 12:46:14 GMT -5
Both units say rubber lining. Most of the rocks I want to start in the rotary are very rough/sharp from the 2 inch crushed we get from a local quarry. Is it likely that they would tear up the liner, or is it a hard rubber like the Harbor Freight barrels? Is the high speed too high for a mixed size load of hard rocks? The size looks very dreamy compared to 3 pound barrels... The thick rubber lining is robust on both barrels -- Model B and Rebel. It will take many years to wear out. I wish I could say the same about the lid gasket, but it is cheap and easy to make DIY replacements if so desired. Fast version is somewhat rough on rock, but grinds rocks much faster. You can do things to minimize damage to rocks: 1. Use a thick slurry, either by adding something from the start (clay, kitty litter, saw dust, etc) or saving tumbling slurry during clean outs. 2. The fuller the barrel, the more gentle the tumble. The motor is powerful enough to spin the barrel when 80% full. 3. Use a good mix of rough size. Adding smalls makes the tumble more gentle. 4. Very rough / jagged tumbling rough stands up better to the fast speed than starting with fairly smooth rough. By the time the rough / jagged rough is rounded, you will have built up a thick slurry. 5. Some rocks seem impervious to a fast and high impact tumble, and others get smashed to pieces or the surface will be damaged. For example, I wouldn't put Botswana agates in a high speed tumbler without a very thick slurry and a lot of smalls or ceramic media. On the other hand, I have tumbled a lot of jasper that has held up just fine. If someone only has one tumbler, I wouldn't recommend the high speed Rebel. If you are wiling to spend some time maintaining a thick slurry, it is a good option for the impatient rock tumbler since it truly does grind rocks at least twice as fast as the Thumler's Model B -- a competent, gentle, but slow tumbler. |
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Post by holajonathan on Dec 4, 2021 12:47:34 GMT -5
Do the Thumler Model B barrels fit the Rebel base? Asking for a friend. We have two model B's with three barrels, the motor on the older one is getting tired. We are probably going to build a setup to hold all of our barrels but it's nice to have options. Base & motors here stainlesstumblingmedia.com/shop/reloading-products/replacement-parts.htmlHaven't ordered from them but they seem to be one of the few if not the only one to carry just the base that I have found. They have both the 3k rpm and the 1250 rpm motor. I've ordered parts (lid gaskets, the knobs that seal the lid, extra barrels) from them two or three times. Orders arrived fast without any problems. |
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brybry
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Post by brybry on Dec 4, 2021 13:53:24 GMT -5
I've ordered parts (lid gaskets, the knobs that seal the lid, extra barrels) from them two or three times. Orders arrived fast without any problems. Awesome. I haven't decided if I want another base and use the AR-12 base for smaller barrel/barrels or if I want to build a base with a 1/4 hp motor for 3 Rebel 17 barrels. |
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reeniebeany
starting to spend too much on rocks
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Post by reeniebeany on Dec 4, 2021 17:12:38 GMT -5
Thanks holajonathan. I tend to run back to back loads of rough so I re-use the slurry and add more grit/water as needed. I also have kitty litter and Borax to soften things up. My rough jagged rocks are pulled out of $35.19 a ton material we use for fill/topcoat/draining etc. so not a lot of money invested. Keeping enough smalls is hard, I keep thinking they will be sacrificial, then decide they are too cool to waste... A bigger tumbler for rough would free up smaller tumblers for more delicate rocks. Being impatient it is hard to keep resisting loading them directly into the UV-10 for a faster job. But spare bowls are too expensive to chew up |
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Post by Son Of Beach on Jan 17, 2022 16:28:20 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. So do you recommend the faster version of this tumbler? I would be using it for coarse only. I know knave has floated this unit out there a couple times. Curious which speed to go with. |
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