avmpathy
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2022
Posts: 1
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Post by avmpathy on Mar 28, 2022 0:22:41 GMT -5
Hello,
I have recently been looking at getting into rock tumbling. I have been looking all over for a good rock tumbler to start out with but have been unable to choose. I am not worried too much about price as long as the tumbler I get is good quality and will last for several years. I am looking for something with probably a 2lb barrel or greater, and I do not need a kit as I know most of them come with insufficient/incorrect grit so I plan on purchasing my own. I know the National Geographic tumblers get good reviews but I have seen videos saying that they operate at an rpm that may be harmful to the rocks. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
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JBe
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2019
Posts: 103
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Post by JBe on Mar 28, 2022 11:44:50 GMT -5
Welcome avmpathy!
If keeping your buget minimal is a priority the Nat Geo tumbler will get you started but I'd guess if you end up liking tumbling you'll find yourself wanting to upgrade in short order. A Lortone 3A or 33B would be a solid entry point if it falls within your budget. There are certainly less expensive knock offs out there you could buy but their quality is pretty inconsistent. Guess how I know... The Lortone's will retain their value fairly well if you decide to sell it later and the replacement parts are generally available. If anything breaks in the Nat Geo outside of warranty you'll most likey be throwing it away and buying a new one.
The 3A is rated as a 3 lb barrel. Many people new to tumbling start at this capacity. The 33B upgrades you to two of those barrels running at once. This comes in handy if you want to be able to run a couple batches in different stages at the same time. If you are regualry adding tumbling rock to your collection the ability to keep one barrel committed to the rough tumble stage and the other barrel to the remaining polishing stages will keep you getting finished stones on a faster interval. With a single barrel you'll be looking at at least a month per batch. It's up to you if the larger initial investment is worth it.
Whatever tumbler you decide to buy make sure you consider the grit you'll need as well. Most tumblers will come with some grit to get you started but it may not be enough to get more than a couple batches through. The grit for the initial rough stage is what you'll use the most of (typically 60/90 SIC).
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Post by vegasjames on Mar 28, 2022 17:59:44 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. I would look at the Loretones or Thumbler.
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nursetumbler
Cave Dweller 
Member since February 2022
Posts: 992 
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Post by nursetumbler on Mar 28, 2022 18:23:29 GMT -5
Welcome
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,622
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Post by dillonf on Mar 28, 2022 19:30:26 GMT -5
I am new to tumbling as well. My daughter got a Nat Geo hobby tumbler as a present and we have made it a positive family activity. I, personally (as a newbie), would not recommend the Nat Geo. It spins relatively fast compared to other tumblers, and I have found that can cause issues. I would recommend the Lortone 33B - if you can find one for a reasonable price- which seems to be hard at the moment. If you are interested in the nat geo look up Michigan Rocks review on youtube before buying it, so you know what you are getting into.
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quartzilla
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2020
Posts: 1,240
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Post by quartzilla on Mar 28, 2022 22:06:12 GMT -5
Loretone 33B!
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Post by perkins17 on Mar 28, 2022 22:18:31 GMT -5
Here here! That is the best beginner tumbler ever made. Pick one up used or new. -all the parts are for sale. Heck, anything Lortone is good. |
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waterboysh
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2021
Posts: 386
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Post by waterboysh on Mar 29, 2022 13:37:30 GMT -5
Not sure what the rules are here about posting external content, but I've written several beginner oriented FAQs for the rock tumbling subreddit. You can see all of them here. Here is the specific one though that I think might interest you. FAQ - What is a good beginner tumbler? |
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steelheader
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2021
Posts: 50 
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Post by steelheader on Mar 30, 2022 17:09:04 GMT -5
33B, if you buy used, use it a few times and end up not liking tumbling, you can resell if for the same price pretty much.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Mar 30, 2022 17:48:35 GMT -5
I also recommend the Lortone 33B.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 4, 2022 13:18:16 GMT -5
I am also new to tumbling and on jugglerguy's recommendation I purchased the lortone 33B and it seem to be a quality machine and now I have gone off the deep end and purchased a 12 lb. Lortone tumbler as well. I'm sorry for leading you down this path. You might want to get a part time job for the saws and cab machine. |
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 5, 2022 5:54:50 GMT -5
I'm sorry for leading you down this path. You might want to get a part time job for the saws and cab machine. I did get a part time job, I drive to Louisiana three times a week to pick up a tractor trailer load of Mudbugs. A semi full of crayfish? That’s a lot of crayfish. |
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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 6, 2022 10:10:03 GMT -5
Hello, I have recently been looking at getting into rock tumbling. I have been looking all over for a good rock tumbler to start out with but have been unable to choose. I am not worried too much about price as long as the tumbler I get is good quality and will last for several years. I am looking for something with probably a 2lb barrel or greater, and I do not need a kit as I know most of them come with insufficient/incorrect grit so I plan on purchasing my own. I know the National Geographic tumblers get good reviews but I have seen videos saying that they operate at an rpm that may be harmful to the rocks. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks The Lortone 33B is a great starter tumbler. I actually bought the model called 3x1.5B (or something like that), which included 3 1.5lbs barrels instead of the 3lbs. I don't think they sell it that way anymore. The tumbler itself is the 33B, so you can use 1.5lbs and/or 3lbs barrels on the same base, and you can experiment with small batches easily. |
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