bcbunny
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 112
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Post by bcbunny on Aug 23, 2004 12:40:29 GMT -5
Greetings,
Am trying to get ready to do my first batch of rocks in a little old tumble i got way back when...My neice gave it to me years and years ago but I never did anything with it yet, and as soon as I get some grit (ordering some today i hope)
Anyways I was just talking to a shop on the phone about grit, and told her about my old tumble, she said that it would not even be worth doing rocks in it cause the barrels are plastic (pout) is this true? I dug it out to clean it up and it is a "Thumber's Tumbler" model A, from Auburn washington. The barrells are a hard type plastic.
I don't want to spend days and days tumbling rocks if it isn't going to work. But I do want to do some rocks. Any help advise is greatly appreicated.
Bunny
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bcbunny
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 112
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Post by bcbunny on Aug 23, 2004 12:57:52 GMT -5
Well I kinda answered my own questins, hahaha
I called Green's rock place in Alberta and ordered grit kit to do my first batch, the fellow I talked to was VERY helpfull I think, and he said that plastic is fine to use.
But any input is still wanted for when I probally buy a new tumbler, hahaha
The grit is being shipped today for me.......checking mail box already, HAHA
Bunny
OH NO I think I am addicted already and haven't even tried it yet
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Post by Cher on Aug 23, 2004 12:58:42 GMT -5
I did a searchand couldn't find any info on the Thumler's Model A tumbler. Maybe you could contact someone at Thumlers and ask about it. Here's the link to their website. www.thumlerstumbler.com/Cher
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Aug 23, 2004 13:29:06 GMT -5
OH NO I think I am addicted already and haven't even tried it yet Yep, you got it bad! ;D And, it only gets worse, so start saving your money for more and more tumblers, rocks, grit , pellets. Then you will want a saw, then a bigger saw ....... And, then you will be like the rest of us - hopelessly addicted to rocks! llana
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shorty
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2003
Posts: 392
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Post by shorty on Aug 23, 2004 14:05:37 GMT -5
hi bunney i belive that if it turnes it will work maby not for long but it mite work long enough for you to see if you want to get a bigger and better one. it mite last for years and welcom to the madness..
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Post by cookie3rocks on Aug 23, 2004 18:40:46 GMT -5
Hey Bunny, I run a RayTech Vibe and the bowls are plastic. It works great but the bowls wear through after a few months. I have 2 bowls now, one for corase and one for pre polish/polish. The Coarse bowl is now encased it silicone around the base because it did wear through, but it's still works Don't know if you can get replacement barrels for a tumbler that old but it's worth looking on the website or giving them a call. Who knows, maybe they have some old ones in a warehouse somewhere the could sell you, or tell you what would work in it's place. Your good for a few batches, anyway. Go for it! cookie
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bcbunny
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 112
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Post by bcbunny on Aug 23, 2004 20:30:26 GMT -5
I went today and visited a old miner friend of mine, and took my tumble with me. He used to tumble rocks etc but doent do much anymore. He managed to find a tumble he had that is not real old. The barrel is like made of rubber (feels like a tire. haha) we actually tried his barrel on my tumble and it worked fine, he wouldn't give it to me tho, HAHAHA His tumble is a Lortone. As soon as I get my grit I will be putting in a load of "something" and get it going and we will see how long it will last. and we will just go from there. Checked my mail and darn grit is not here yet...it has been like 7 hours since I ordered it, darn mail is so slow. ;D Bunny
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Aug 24, 2004 0:25:05 GMT -5
Hey bcbunny, Just a quick note to say "Hello and Welcome" You might be surprised at how long that older machine will last! I purchased a 10" slab saw (supposedly on it's last leg in life) about 11 years ago and it's running better than a couple of newer saws that I have A little TLC (tender loving care) may be all that you'll need to get your first batches down and see if it warrents getting a newer tumbler. Good luck and please let us know how it turn out! Enjoy, John
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Post by puppie96 on Aug 24, 2004 3:11:15 GMT -5
Stuff I've read about plastic tumblers says that they wear out quickly and that they are much noisier than rubber barrel tumblers. But, no reason they won't tumble rocks, as long as you wear earplugs.
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Post by creativeminded on Aug 25, 2004 11:10:24 GMT -5
Thanks for you post that reminded me that I need to order some more grit. By the way good luck. Tami
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