afterburnt
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2021
Posts: 152
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Post by afterburnt on Jan 27, 2023 15:35:44 GMT -5
I have a blue Harbor Freight type 2x3 pound tumbler that I use for softer stuff like sodalite and obsidian. This seems to work well. I just ordered a Lortone 2x3 pounder and I am wondering if the hexagonal interior of the barrels will be rougher on the stones than the smooth interior barrels of Harbor Freight tumbler. Just wondering if anyone has used both of these, I would like to hear about your experience.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jan 27, 2023 16:25:00 GMT -5
I guess my lortone barrels are all older models. I have 10 of the 3 pounders and all are smooth wall but all are at least 5 yrs old so maybe that has changed in newer models. My 6 and 12 pound Lortones are all hexagonal. That being said anytime I am tumbling a delicate material I lessen the risk of damage by use of cushion and barrel fill amount. Fill to 80% to leave less room for the rocks to move crash around.
Chuck
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afterburnt
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2021
Posts: 152
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Post by afterburnt on Jan 27, 2023 18:12:13 GMT -5
Chuck, I may be jumping the gun. I have a few Qt6's and a 12 for most stuff so I assumed the 3# would be hex inside. I won't get the Lortone until next week. I could try to roll the HF barrels if the new ones are hex inside. I am trying to learn the finer point of tumbling softer rocks. I've had bad results from the larger tumblers.
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 27, 2023 18:40:21 GMT -5
I have a blue Harbor Freight type 2x3 pound tumbler that I use for softer stuff like sodalite and obsidian. This seems to work well. I just ordered a Lortone 2x3 pounder and I am wondering if the hexagonal interior of the barrels will be rougher on the stones than the smooth interior barrels of Harbor Freight tumbler. Just wondering if anyone has used both of these, I would like to hear about your experience. I don't have the experience of using those tumblers...but I do remember there has been some discussion lately about hexagonal barrels. If you search "hexagon" in the tumbling forum, it should bring up some threads...
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,094
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Post by stefan on Jan 29, 2023 11:02:18 GMT -5
I use thumlers 3 lb barrels and the are hex (well actually I think they are something like 24 sided). I used to run a harbor freight and I did not notice any real difference with softer material. I do run more cushioning (plastic pellets) when finishing (from 500 grit onward) softer stuff.
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