gitting
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2022
Posts: 8
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Post by gitting on Sept 30, 2022 14:19:42 GMT -5
Hello! This forum is wonderful, I'm already seeing a ton of excellent information that is super helpful I started rock tumbling this summer, starting with a Leegol single barrel tumbler and got addicted quickly. I added a double barrel Chicago/Harbor Freight and have been using that too. Only 3 months later, both machines motors have died/siezed up. I read mixed reviews (some say they last for years, other say they die quickly). I was looking for somewhere on the forums here that have a tumbler reccommendation discussion and I'm not seeing it (though I see all sorts of other great newbie info!). Can you point me to it if I've missed it? Or a website that isn't a subsidiary of Amazon that has reccommendations lol Any help with my next purchase will be helpful. I'd like something that lasts at least a year with constant use.
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Post by Starguy on Sept 30, 2022 14:49:37 GMT -5
Hi gitting. Welcome to RTH. I can’t point you to any discussions but I can say that Lortone tumblers are going to be your best bet when it comes to rotary rock tumblers.
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 30, 2022 15:24:28 GMT -5
Welcome! Yes, Lortones are awesome.
One of our member's favorite sites is The Rock Shed for tumblers and assorted media.
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pebblesky
fully equipped rock polisher
Purchased another UV mini bowl for tumbling
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,392
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Post by pebblesky on Sept 30, 2022 15:40:56 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum! Yeah you will hear many of RTH members talking about Lortone rotary tumbler which I believe only 3A(single 3 lbs barrel) and QT12 are currently in stock in rockshed.com. I only have owned Lortone 3A for a month so can not tell yet how long lived it is.
If you buy tumblers from rockshed you will also get a discounted price in rocks and grits for the same order. You will definitely need 25lbs or 50lbs 60/90 grit if you keep your passion.
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Post by vegasjames on Sept 30, 2022 17:41:40 GMT -5
Welcome from Southern Nevada.
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Andrewa
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 120
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Post by Andrewa on Oct 1, 2022 6:13:10 GMT -5
Hello gitting and welcome to RTH Forums from Bonnybridge, Scotland.
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dshanpnw
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2020
Posts: 892
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Post by dshanpnw on Oct 1, 2022 6:39:19 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum gitting from Washington state; our state gem is petrified wood. There are a lot of people on here that have great reviews for the Harbor Freight tumblers. I use Lortone 33B and have had no problems. I'm not sure why your motors would have stopped already, they should last a very long time. I recommend Lortone. Also, try moving your question to the, Rock Tumbling board where more users will read it.
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dshanpnw
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2020
Posts: 892
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Post by dshanpnw on Oct 1, 2022 6:40:43 GMT -5
Hello gitting and welcome to RTH Forums from Bonnybridge, Scotland. Hello andrewa, welcome to the forum from Washington state.
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markb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2022
Posts: 472
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Post by markb on Oct 1, 2022 12:30:51 GMT -5
Welcome from Oregon.
Do you keep your tumblers clean? And also, have you oiled them once in awhile?
I'd call the Harbor Freight you got them from and ask if they will do a swap, because the ones you have are seized up.
Good Luck!
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vance71975
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 760
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Post by vance71975 on Oct 1, 2022 14:05:39 GMT -5
Hello! This forum is wonderful, I'm already seeing a ton of excellent information that is super helpful I started rock tumbling this summer, starting with a Leegol single barrel tumbler and got addicted quickly. I added a double barrel Chicago/Harbor Freight and have been using that too. Only 3 months later, both machines motors have died/siezed up. I read mixed reviews (some say they last for years, other say they die quickly). I was looking for somewhere on the forums here that have a tumbler reccommendation discussion and I'm not seeing it (though I see all sorts of other great newbie info!). Can you point me to it if I've missed it? Or a website that isn't a subsidiary of Amazon that has reccommendations lol Any help with my next purchase will be helpful. I'd like something that lasts at least a year with constant use. As others have said, the main go to brands are Lortone and thumler are the best If you can find them in stock anywhere, I have also heard Rebel 17 is good if you can afford it. You should be able to return the Harbor Freight for a new one depending on if you got the extended warranty or it may even still be under the default warranty. Harbor Freight store should exchange it no questions asked, They know their stuff is hit and miss, unless you bought it online. For what its worth, My girl has a Kormstone tumbler from Amazon that is similar to the Nat Geo, and its been running over two months straight with no issues. I have a tumble-bee with a 4lb barrel and its been running for about a month with no issues. Not sure if either will have issues over they next two months but so far so good.
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gitting
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2022
Posts: 8
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Post by gitting on Oct 8, 2022 12:06:13 GMT -5
Welcome from Oregon. Do you keep your tumblers clean? And also, have you oiled them once in awhile? I'd call the Harbor Freight you got them from and ask if they will do a swap, because the ones you have are seized up. Good Luck! Yep, oiled, clean, on tile floor of unused bathroom so cool too. Now I'm seeing a lot of people above had issues with the Chicago Electric models. They did swap me out once, but the replacement died even faster lol. I bought a Lortone 33B and hoping that will do for at least a year! It already sounds so much quieter than the CE!
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markb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2022
Posts: 472
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Post by markb on Oct 15, 2022 16:55:02 GMT -5
gitting I've had my Lortone 33B running since March of this year non stop. The only time I turned it off was for a couple days of vacation and when it was very HOT outside and in the garage. But, soon after that heat wave I got a small fan for it and have kept it going since. I oil it once a month or so, just a drop then wipe it off. I think you will be happy with the quality of the Lortone in the long run.
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,323
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Post by rocknewb101 on Oct 18, 2022 7:52:21 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from NE Ohio!!! My two tumblers are the Nat Geo 2lb barrel and the Thumblers MP-1, also 2lb barrel. My next purchase will be a loratone, just as soon as i can find one in stock . happy tumbling!!
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