schmanderson
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2007
Posts: 3
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Post by schmanderson on Sept 25, 2007 10:48:46 GMT -5
Hi all,
I have picked up rocks all my life and I did some tumbling years ago as a kid and never lost the interest. I have a rock collection that has been growing recently due to my kids being interested. I want to get a tumbler...any suggestions?
Schmanderson
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181lizard
Cave Dweller
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
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Post by 181lizard on Sept 25, 2007 12:12:24 GMT -5
Howdy Schmanderson! Your question is sooooooo broad, the majority of us are probably waiting for you to elaborate! Fastest to get from rough to shiney? Many RTH'rs feel a vibe is the winner but you have to pay more attention to a vibe. No setting & forgetting there. Cost? Others will be able to answer as I don't really know. There's quite a few tumblers (rotary) available, so there again...we might need a little more info to steer you in the right direction. I have a lortone QT12/QT66 with 4 barrels and I'm gonna go get another base so I can do 4 barrels at a time instead of just 2. I've never had any problem what so ever in the 2 years I've been tumbling. No belts replaced and no repairs at all. (I've probably just jinxed myself. ) You can start out at under a hundred for a smaller setup and go up from there. And of course...you're gonna need all the stuff that goes with it. Others will chime in with their thoughts, but in the end, you've got to make your decision based on need (as of right now) and cost. Please take lots of time to go through old and current threads around here. You will be amazed at what you will learn AND... Welcome !
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Post by Lady B on Sept 25, 2007 13:01:53 GMT -5
Well Hi There! Welcome to RTH! If you are looking to get something locally you can check Wally's World in Tampa but if you want to get great deals and have info, support, and choices, you can't go wrong checking out what Shawn has to offer at the Rock Shed. www.therockshed.com/Bob and I have bought 2 of our tumblers, a bunch of tumble-size stones, and all our grit and polish supplies from Shawn. Have a great time here at RTH. And once you get some tumbling done, everyone is going to tell you this: POST PICTURES!!! ;D Lady B
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one80mike
freely admits to licking rocks
@(-_-)@ Princess Leia!
Member since February 2007
Posts: 908
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Post by one80mike on Sept 26, 2007 19:51:56 GMT -5
G'day and welcome to the board.
I run 2 Lortone 33b's. They are rotary tumblers and each of them can run 2 x 3lb barrels at a time. The are quiet, reliable, not tiny but not huge and once you have things up and going you will definitely want more than 1 barrel running...then more than 4...then more than 6...I can strongly them.
Mike
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 29, 2007 11:46:40 GMT -5
You can't go wrong with either Thumler's Tumbler or Lortone. Both are American made with parts available though seldom needed. Thumler's smaller sizes cost a little more but they use heavier duty bearings and motors. The larger size Thumler's are a little less expensive and have the added feature of being convertable to smaller sizes by moving the axle to another slot in the frame to use 3lb. drums. Welcome to the board.
John at JS Gems
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Oct 4, 2007 16:14:40 GMT -5
Welcome! Aside from all the helpful threads and other good stuff, I encourage you to check out the competition thread, and enter a recipe! All entrants will get a RTH T-shirt, and there are other great prizes. So glad to have you! I personally have only (how sad!) a 3 lb. Thumler and a smallish Lot-O, plus a Workforce saw, which works well with both the tumblers. I use all 3 items in conjunction. I cut rocks on the WF. I tumble some of my cuts, especially those that didn't work so well, in the Thumler's rotary tumbler. I tumble my 'better' shapes in the Lot-O Vibe. I also use the Thumler rotary to tumble the rough edges off my not-so-great cuts and other pieces, then finish them in the Lot-O, which is pretty darn fast. I know, I know.... that is not the recommended method.... but until I get another tumbler, that's my method! Have a rockin' great time, and feel free to ask questions! Karen
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