Say goodbye to Lortone Tumblers...

[JR8675309]

I called Thumlers in spring. They said a company in Kent that makes the round metal platform closed their doors and they were trying to find another supplier. That said, seems like a loooong time to wait. They put me on a call list when they get rolling again. I rolled dice and bought a TV-10 because I tired of replacing the motors in the UV-10.

[geoff59]

At first I didn’t get the “China Park” comment….I admit sometimes I am a little bit slow 😀 but it’s all good. 

I’ve thought for years that a well made direct drive rotary tumbler would outperform a belt drive any day of the week. Like the old belt drive vs direct drive turntables, during the 70s and 80s if you were in to Hifi (I sure was, Bang & Olfson turntables)
The HP I see uses a 24V DC motor. Cooler running I should think. I’ve been having multiple issues with a 33B Lortone ongoing now for a few months, and have decided to replace it. Guess what I ordered to replace it with? I find the 33B tumblers harder to keep in tip top running condition than the QT66s I use, mostly because of the crappy ends- lack of a barrel nut guide. The HP version has done what Loraine should’ve long ago. 

[hypodactylus]

Keep us updated. I am curious to know how well the DC motor will hold up under constant load/use.

[chapslv]

I have been running an HP 4.5 pound tumbler for 10 days now. Very quiet and it generates no heat. The real test will be the long term durability.

[rockbrain]

I don't feel badly for Lortone. There's several things on their tumblers that should have been improved over the years. If they aren't doing it there should be no surprise that someone else is.

[geoff59]

The HP has arrived, it is unpacked, here are some preliminary observations.

The base unit is a a bit longer overall than the base of the 33B, the 2 3-pound drums sit on the rollers with more separation between than you get with the Lortone. It’s not a lot, an inch give or take.
The twin HP drums appear to be identical in dimensions to their Lortone counterparts. The rubber itself, I think a bit more flexible (not lots) with the HP drum, perhaps just a little thinner, I’m not sure on this latter point. I really like the brass nut, versus the black plastic with metal insert of the Lortone, and again this tumbler has, at each end, an actual guide that the groove of the screw-on nut rides in. This is exactly like the QT66, except there is a guide on both ends. This guide at both ends is something I for sure like the idea of. 
The inside of the barrel of the Lortone 33B has those little “humps” molded in to the rubber, which keeps the rock tumbling; the HP version has a smooth surface inside the 3 pound drum.  I looked at the lids of the HP drums, my first impression is they appear to be the same dimensions. I have 2 Lortone barrels currently rolling on the HP base, they seem to fit perfectly. I will double check this tonight to be sure. 

I would say, at the moment, that combining the HP base, and using Lortone 3 pound drums/barrels a(with the brass nut of the HP on them) would be the best of both worlds in terms of this size tumbler.  I will add more info and some pics and perhaps even a video to this thread soon. Including some more specific measurements. 

[chapslv]

My only (potentially) negative comment on my 4.5 lb HP is that the rubber in the barrel is thinner than the rubber in all of my Lortone barrels. This could cause the barrel to wear out quickly - only time will tell. The 4.5 lb barrel does have the "humps" molded in to the rubber.
So far, I have been running it for almost 2 weeks and no issues. I like the lack of noise from the base and the lack of heat is another plus.

[southernlakehuronguy]

Sept 26, 2023 12:18:13 GMT -5 geoff59 said:

The HP has arrived, it is unpacked, here are some preliminary observations.

The base unit is a a bit longer overall than the base of the 33B, the 2 3-pound drums sit on the rollers with more separation between than you get with the Lortone. It’s not a lot, an inch give or take.
The twin HP drums appear to be identical in dimensions to their Lortone counterparts. The rubber itself, I think a bit more flexible (not lots) with the HP drum, perhaps just a little thinner, I’m not sure on this latter point. I really like the brass nut, versus the black plastic with metal insert of the Lortone, and again this tumbler has, at each end, an actual guide that the groove of the screw-on nut rides in. This is exactly like the QT66, except there is a guide on both ends. This guide at both ends is something I for sure like the idea of. 
The inside of the barrel of the Lortone 33B has those little “humps” molded in to the rubber, which keeps the rock tumbling; the HP version has a smooth surface inside the 3 pound drum.  I looked at the lids of the HP drums, my first impression is they appear to be the same dimensions. I have 2 Lortone barrels currently rolling on the HP base, they seem to fit perfectly. I will double check this tonight to be sure. 

I would say, at the moment, that combining the HP base, and using Lortone 3 pound drums/barrels a(with the brass nut of the HP on them) would be the best of both worlds in terms of this size tumbler.  I will add more info and some pics and perhaps even a video to this thread soon. Including some more specific measurements. 

At what R.P.M. do the barrels turn?

[geoff59]

RPMs. I am not sure, I think it’s a little faster than the Lortone is. It’s also possible the Lortone 33B I have running right beside the new HP clone isn’t turning as fast as it did fresh out of the box, with bearings that need cleaning and drive belt tensions, I get a bit of variation in mine over time. Who doesn’t? 

There is nothing in the box other than the tumbler base, 2 3-pound drums, and the power cord. No papers. No booklet. No spec sheet. No warranty card even. Maybe HP will post some of these (or already has) on their website? I will check. However it is packed really well, in a sturdy rubbery foam box inside of a cardboard box which is literally covered with thin laminate something or other. It’s been running now for 7 hours, and the motor compartment is cool to the touch. There is a cooling fan inside it with vent holes in the side of the base.

[chapslv]

I contacted HP about the lack of any manual, warranty info, etc. They said it would be available online very soon and they will send a link to the information with future purchases.
I don't know how many RPM it turns but it appears to be slightly faster than a 2 year old Lortone 33B. On one of the HP videos, they said that the motor was "adjustable" in terms of speed but they don't recommend modifying it.

[Deleted]

Sept 27, 2023 7:38:13 GMT -5 chapslv said:

I contacted HP about the lack of any manual, warranty info, etc. They said it would be available online very soon and they will send a link to the information with future purchases.
I don't know how many RPM it turns but it appears to be slightly faster than a 2 year old Lortone 33B. On one of the HP videos, they said that the motor was "adjustable" in terms of speed but they don't recommend modifying it.

If it has a DC motor in it, then in theory you should be able to add a simple speed controller to it and change the speed.

[geoff59]

here are a couple of shots showing the 2 side by side. I will hopefully add a video to this showing the 2 powered up and rolling side by side-I do think the HP is a bit faster, maybe 5-10% so, it’s not faster by a lot. 

[iamchris]

Why do you think they have such large separation between the two barrels?

[Mel]

Sept 29, 2023 22:17:32 GMT -5 iamchris said:

Why do you think they have such large separation between the two barrels?

Two guesses; 1 - so that the rubber ends don't rub together & last longer, and 2 - so that if you have weak grip strength, you can put a hand between the two barrels to help lift one out without it a real pain in the ass.

I know my QT66 the barrels would butt up against each other if I didn't set one on the metal groove support. It really sucked trying to lift one out of the frame without shutting the motor off. Minor inconvenience but really annoyed me.

[southernlakehuronguy]

My precious Chicago Electric tumblers have an on/off switch.

[hypodactylus]

I picked up one of the Highland Park 3lb tumbler units recently and I am surprised by how much slower it is than the Lortone 3A.

My Lortone 3A was around 63 rpms new. The Highland Park is around 38 rpms.

[chris1956]

That doesn't sound good.  Let us know how it works.   

[southernlakehuronguy]

My Chicago Electric double turns at 52 rpm and Thumlers AR-2 run at 42 rpm. I only use the C.E. for 1st stage. I would think your H.P. will work great.

[broseph82]

Sept 27, 2023 7:38:13 GMT -5 chapslv said:

I contacted HP about the lack of any manual, warranty info, etc. They said it would be available online very soon and they will send a link to the information with future purchases.
I don't know how many RPM it turns but it appears to be slightly faster than a 2 year old Lortone 33B. On one of the HP videos, they said that the motor was "adjustable" in terms of speed but they don't recommend modifying it.

Don't know how much I'd believe that. I have a machine by them that they said they'd put out a manual for years ago and still have yet to do it.

[Fossilman]

I see the other day on a rock site that Lortone is retiring out and is looking for a buyer for their company..