denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 20, 2021 12:16:01 GMT -5
Hello, I just started rock tumbling within the past year, and in that time I've purchased 4 tumblers, all of which have broken. First I got a Lortone and the motor stopped working. Then I got a Thumbler and the barrel came open and all the grit and rocks spilled everywhere. Then I bought 2 National Geographic tumblers; the hobby tumbler, on which the motor shut down, and the Professional tumbler, on which the lights indicating the number of days set suddenly stopped working. Nat Geo has replaced both tumblers, but I REALLY want to get one that will last a lifetime. I would like to have recommendations for a tumbler that will not stop working! I prefer the 3 lb barrel, but I will buy a one pound machine if that is the best option. Thank you in advance for your help
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Post by knave on Oct 20, 2021 13:52:18 GMT -5
What is your budget? Are you a handy person that likes to DIY?
I’d suggest Thumblers model B, or that new brand I’ll post a link.
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Post by knave on Oct 20, 2021 13:53:08 GMT -5
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 20, 2021 14:24:56 GMT -5
To knave, my budget is pretty open. I'm willing to spend $$ to get one that will last. I am definitely not the DIY type of person. Thank you for the link! OK, I just looked at the link and it says that the tumbler holds 17 lbs (!) and is for cleaning brass (?)
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 20, 2021 14:30:01 GMT -5
Oh, and I just looked at the Thumbler Model B. It says "The high-speed version's motor spins at 3000 rpm, which is too fast for tumble-polishing rocks." So that one won't work for me.
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Post by knave on Oct 20, 2021 14:34:49 GMT -5
Oh, and I just looked at the Thumbler Model B. It says "The high-speed version's motor spins at 3000 rpm, which is too fast for tumble-polishing rocks." So that one won't work for me. They sell the low speed version of this at Kingsley I think.
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Post by knave on Oct 20, 2021 14:35:32 GMT -5
But I would try the high speed. I use rotary for rough stage only.
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kasilofchrisn
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2021
Posts: 21
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Post by kasilofchrisn on Oct 21, 2021 11:23:22 GMT -5
Sorry to hear you got a bad Lortone. I've been running Lortones for 10 years now off and on and I've had zero issues with mine other than having to replace a belt. If I were you I would consider giving Lortone a second chance. At the rate you're going through them it sounds like you may be cursed when it comes to rock tumblers.lol
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Post by knave on Oct 21, 2021 11:33:41 GMT -5
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 21, 2021 13:07:40 GMT -5
Thank you
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jimmie
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2021
Posts: 229
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Post by jimmie on Oct 21, 2021 13:55:57 GMT -5
I would make your own. I had a double 3 pounder, would only work with one barrel. Then my 6 pounder started to get funny. Built a 4 barrel 6 lb tumbler. Been running for 2 yrs straight with no problems. I finish everything in a lot-o. I always thought the tumblers were very “light weight “. Tiny little motors and belts.
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Post by Starguy on Oct 21, 2021 15:05:51 GMT -5
denversueI’ve never heard of a bad Lortone. Contact the seller. Those things should last for many years. I’ve got a 12 lb Lortone that is going on 28 years. It has a new belt and a new barrel but it’s still rolling rocks.
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 21, 2021 15:24:44 GMT -5
Starguy--thank you. I did contact them at the time and they would not replace it. I got it from the website Home Science Tools. My husband thinks I run the tumbler too much. It has been running every day for about 3 months; is that too much?
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 21, 2021 15:27:03 GMT -5
kasilofchrisn, Thank you for your feedback. How often do you run your tumblers? Mine has run every day for about the past 3 months and my husband thinks that's the probelm, that I'm running it too much
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 21, 2021 15:30:42 GMT -5
Is there a way to post a reply right underneath the post I am responding to? I have tried to respond to each person but my posts end up being at the very bottom.
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Post by RickB on Oct 21, 2021 15:36:03 GMT -5
Is there a way to post a reply right underneath the post I am responding to? I have tried to respond to each person but my posts end up being at the very bottom. Just click the quote button on the post/poster you want to reply to like I just did to your message. Welcome to the board from South Carolina, RickB Oh, also, if you move your curser to the screen name of the person you want to reply to a small box will show you how to respond to them. For you I see this @ denversue showing. Joint those two together and it will reference that person when you post and they will see that you have tagged themn.
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kasilofchrisn
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2021
Posts: 21
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Post by kasilofchrisn on Oct 21, 2021 17:05:37 GMT -5
kasilofchrisn, Thank you for your feedback. How often do you run your tumblers? Mine has run every day for about the past 3 months and my husband thinks that's the probelm, that I'm running it too much I usually run them for 2 or 3 months straight then give it a break while I search for more rocks to tumble. Sometimes I use them for other things as well. Like putting a bunch of lead balls in it and making black powder for rocketry projects. Or using it to clean reloading brass. Though those only take a few hours to a day to accomplish. But you should have no trouble running a lorton for several years straight no breaks except when you're emptying and refilling the barrels. I've seen lots of reviews from people who have done just that without major issues.
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 21, 2021 17:33:36 GMT -5
kasilofchrisn, Thank you for your feedback. How often do you run your tumblers? Mine has run every day for about the past 3 months and my husband thinks that's the probelm, that I'm running it too much I usually run them for 2 or 3 months straight then give it a break while I search for more rocks to tumble. Sometimes I use them for other things as well. Like putting a bunch of lead balls in it and making black powder for rocketry projects. Or using it to clean reloading brass. Though those only take a few hours to a day to accomplish. But you should have no trouble running a lorton for several years straight no breaks except when you're emptying and refilling the barrels. I've seen lots of reviews from people who have done just that without major issues. Good to know. Thank you
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Post by Rockindad on Oct 21, 2021 18:13:49 GMT -5
Hello, I just started rock tumbling within the past year, and in that time I've purchased 4 tumblers, all of which have broken. First I got a Lortone and the motor stopped working. Then I got a Thumbler and the barrel came open and all the grit and rocks spilled everywhere. Then I bought 2 National Geographic tumblers; the hobby tumbler, on which the motor shut down, and the Professional tumbler, on which the lights indicating the number of days set suddenly stopped working. Nat Geo has replaced both tumblers, but I REALLY want to get one that will last a lifetime. I would like to have recommendations for a tumbler that will not stop working! I prefer the 3 lb barrel, but I will buy a one pound machine if that is the best option. Thank you in advance for your help Some of the recommendations you got here are huge compared to what you are used to, how much rock do you really want to run? Tumblers are meant to be run 24/7. Our rotaries never get a break, not even unplugged for cleanouts. We run two Thumler Model B's and a Lortone QT-66 all of the time. Our Thumler AR-2 and two pound Nat. Geo. get used as needed. All are still running fine though our 2 1/2 year old model B is slowing down a bit and due for some TLC. We are not unique in running our tumblers 24/7/365. Do you still have the Thumler's? Replacement parts are available. What excactly is wrong with the Lortone. Does the motor/pulley move at all? Don't know if you are going to do better than a Lortone or Thumler's in this size range. If budget is not a consideration look at Covington.
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Post by Starguy on Oct 21, 2021 18:23:44 GMT -5
Starguy--thank you. I did contact them at the time and they would not replace it. I got it from the website Home Science Tools. My husband thinks I run the tumbler too much. It has been running every day for about 3 months; is that too much? denversueTumblers are built to run continuously. There is no way a Lortone tumbler died already. Could you provide more details about why the Lortone isn’t working. There are little things that can be a problem, but those Lortones are tough.
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