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Post by ColtChainmailJewelryDesigns on Oct 14, 2011 20:33:22 GMT -5
Hey guys, its been awile. So HF is having a sale, and i found that they have lowered the Chicago Electric, Dualy Rotary Tumbler from $69.99 to now $49.99. I have been thinking about getting one of these for a while, but was waiting till the price came down. www.harborfreight.com/dual-drum-rotary-rock-tumbler-67632.htmlAlso, they have the Chicago Electric, 5lb Vib on sale from $99.99, to now $49.99. www.harborfreight.com/5-lb-metal-vibrator-tumbler-67617.htmlI know people here have bought the Rotary before, some like it, some hate it. But has anyone bought the Vib before? If so, how does it do? Last long, Problems, Tumble good? I can only buy 1 of them right now. But I don't quite know witch would be better I was thinking about the dualy because I would have another barrel for another rock batch (in addition to my thumblers 3lb), and a barrel for polishing my jewelry (with stainless shot). But this vib looks like it would be cool to have since I have been wanting to be able to fill my rock batches with more stuff, and they are faster. ~Colt EDIT: Not buying from HF. Now Going for a Lortone from The Rock Shed, But need help still!
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Oct 14, 2011 20:46:23 GMT -5
When you read the review for the vib one of the reviews says that the instructions state that is not for rocks. Another says the instructions say not to use wet.
There are instructions on this board on how to rebuild the rotary into a somewhat relaible machine. I just threw mine away and kept the barrel - something about blood pressure control.
Put your money in a jar and add to it until you can buy a real tumbler that you can depend on.
My 2 cents. Steve
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Oct 14, 2011 20:54:56 GMT -5
Colt,to be frank and honest,I would advise you to not buy either one. There have been many threads on here about them and the general consensus is their stuff is a bunch of crap.I've bought items from them in the past,all of which crapped out,the only thing I get from them now are large trash bags,only with a 20%coupon off and get my free flashlight.I do have 2 out of the 8 dual rotaries I've bought and returned over and over again running,but only after rebuilding them. By the way,my pancake air compressor I got from them conked out today.
snuffy
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Oct 14, 2011 21:35:35 GMT -5
I have one of each of the tumblers you asked about. If you buy one do with it in your mind to either be taking it back under warranty or installing a good motor soon. For $35 I replaced the motor on the rotary and replaced vibe motor for $51. So plan on doing one of these steps or buy a good machine to start with.
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Oct 14, 2011 21:47:45 GMT -5
What jspencer said about the warranty.Absolutely get at least the 1 year warranty with it.They sell a 2 year also,but I can gaurantee you will return it before the year is up.
snuffy
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Post by rockrookie on Oct 14, 2011 22:13:28 GMT -5
Colt , i got mine on sale for 29.00 it lasted 4 hours until the belt broke . took it back . they gave me 2 belts for price of 1 . these got me about 20 hours for 2 belts . then they just gave me a refund . save & get a real tumbler . then i bought a Lortone 33b
--paul
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Oct 14, 2011 22:17:09 GMT -5
I believe the proper spelling is "Harbor Fright".
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Post by ColtChainmailJewelryDesigns on Oct 14, 2011 23:08:48 GMT -5
I believe the proper spelling is "Harbor Fright". haha, nope! just checked, its freight! xD I guess I wont get ether. It seemed like a few people more recently got them and where fine. But I think I too am going to go for the 33B lortone. Is $105 the best price for one of them(The Rock Shed)? I know I don't like the site, but I guess i just need to sack up and do it!!! haha. ~Colt
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 15, 2011 3:10:09 GMT -5
Hi Colt, By the revievs and discussiond on C E that I have seen on RTH you have made a good decision
Jack Yorkshire uk
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Oct 15, 2011 6:12:16 GMT -5
Hi Colt, Glad you are not going in the direction of H.F. I always beleive that you get what you pay for and more often than not after you have forgot how low the price was you still end up paying for what you got. It makes you wonder how, after hearing all of the bad comments about that company and thier inferior products, they even stay in business. Stu
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 15, 2011 7:59:10 GMT -5
Stu, people fall for low prices. The "something for nothing" warning should apply. I went through a HF not long ago. They have many useful things. I would be hesitant of buying anything with a motor.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Oct 15, 2011 10:18:55 GMT -5
Yuppers HF is mostly junk supplies!!!!!
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Post by ColtChainmailJewelryDesigns on Oct 15, 2011 16:38:15 GMT -5
HF does have some good things. But not buying anything with a motor sounds good idea.
I went to one of the stores a few months ago with my cousin, and he was loving this store. He was interested in the genrators they have though... some of the reviews say you just got to go through a couple of them untill you find one that doesnt make a snap sound after 5 hours. haha. When I went, I got some C clamps, they work great. at least for what I'm doing witch probably doesnt strain them too much. And now I'm wishing I had bought one of them $2 12" ratchet clamps!
~Colt
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Post by rocklicker on Oct 22, 2011 0:06:25 GMT -5
Glad you decided to stay away from the Harbor Freight tumblers. You are way better off with a Lortone. Sure it costs more. but lasts and lasts and lasts. I have a 3 pound Lortone that's got to be at least 30 years old. A 33B is a great size too.
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Oct 22, 2011 7:57:33 GMT -5
I got them both, when they had the "get one of each" sale awhile back, I think in March. The vibe is not really any good, too noisy, and the lid broke into only the second complete cycle.
The rotary is great, nice and quiet, no problems. The only issues are it's too small for the amount of material I have, so I'm actually thinking of getting another. While I would consider another brand, the truth is, I have close neighbors and I'm afraid to buy a different brand unless I've heard it. People have different ideas of "noisy," for instance, I've heard the Lot-O called quiet (and I did like my Lot-O) but didn't replace it because the neighbors did hint about the noise.
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
A COUPLE LAKERS
Member since August 2011
Posts: 891
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on Oct 23, 2011 0:20:03 GMT -5
Colt, You say you have a 3lb tumbler already, so if you're going for another rotary tumbler, I'd strongly recommend one with a larger diameter barrel than the 3 b. I started with a Lortone 33b, and then recently acquired a Lortone 66QT. The larger diameter barrel shapes the stones so much faster than the 3lb barrel, that I only use the 33b now for the pre-polish and polish stages. In my experience, the 6/12 pound barrels grind the stones 2 or 3 times faster than 3 lb barrels. I got both my 33b and 66QT on eBay used for about $65 and $50 respectively (plus shipping), and have only needed to replace the belts to get them working just fine. The 33b has been running 24/7 for 4 years now. Look at these tumblers on eBay right now: www.ebay.com/itm/260876671055www.ebay.com/itm/130590486271www.ebay.com/itm/270837132747www.ebay.com/itm/160670045528Two of those are older, but they are actually a model that is a step up from the QTNR line. I'm not sure if the one with the Thumlers barrel is a Thumlers tumbler, or actually a Lortone tumbler, but it's a step up either way.
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Post by ColtChainmailJewelryDesigns on Oct 23, 2011 20:59:08 GMT -5
I have thought about the barral size. And I do keep glancing at the 66QT. But that also means I have to add WAY more rock. Although I would like to be able to tumble some bigger chunks! but also more grit. One of the reasons I want a 3lb, is so I can have a barrel for stainless shot, and jewelry. Although, 2 or 3 times faster sounds good to me! I can never stop myself from opening the barrel after only 2 days! I guess it depends on when I have the money for it (when I find a job). Some of those tumblers on Ebay look pretty beat up. Would it be worth it to get one and replace the motor, belt, barrels if needed? I do have a question about shipping though. I'm going to buy the tumbler'(s) from The rock shed, And getting grit from them too. This site/place; www.pearsons-uslj.com/abrasives.htm is right down the road from where im staying next weekend, (watching my cuz' pups ;D ). I was thinking about getting 5lbs or 60/90 from TRS, but would it cut down the shipping alot if I bought it from this local place? I can save like $1.25 from TRS because i'll be buying a tumbler (10% off all grit). I know it's hard to answer that from not knowing all what I'll be buying. And I think I need to go back to school, cus this seems all jumbled up and hard to read! is it worth it to get some 46-70 Grit Silicon Carbide? As far as 120/220, is 1lb good enough? 500 Aluminum Oxide or 500 Silicon Carbide? If this is important, im not worried about the 25cents more. and word on the Tripoli Pre-Polish? I'm thinking the 1,000 Grit Aluminum Oxide is good to get. Someone said I need it for my obsidian? How much should I get? Suggestions on polish amount? And amount of filler pelets? Sorry for asking so much! LOL ~Colt
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
A COUPLE LAKERS
Member since August 2011
Posts: 891
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on Oct 23, 2011 22:27:36 GMT -5
You do not have to run both barrels on a dual barrel (rotary) tumbler. You can run just one of them at a time.
If you collect your own rough it shouldn't be that hard to fill up a couple 6lb barrels with extra to spare. If you buy rough (from folks here, or from the Rock Shed for example), the price break on 5lbs is usually significant, and I believe you can get about 20lbs in a $11 fixed rate box, so shipping isn't so bad if you buy that much at a time.
I may be exaggerating a bit, but Lortone barrels do not wear out. The first tumbler on the list is a commercial model with a 1/3 hp electric motor. It may look "beat up" to you, (not to me), but I think the motor will probably outlast a new QT66 motor. The rollers are commercial quality too. The belt probably does need replacement, but that's not a big deal.
46-70 grit is for larger diameter barrels like the QT66, and probably not useful in a 3lb barrel.
One pound of 120/220 is good enough until it runs out.
I use 500 grit SiC, tripoli for prepolish, and The Rock Shed's AO polish.
The ratio of 60/90 to 120/220 to 500 to pre-polish to polish depends on the diameter of your barrels, the "roughness" of the rough and the hardness of the rough. Harder rock that is not very rounded already, and in a smaller diameter barrel might require 2 or 3 times as much 60/90 as 120/220 - depends.
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Oct 23, 2011 23:24:52 GMT -5
My first tumbler was a Lortone 45C. It's their smallest tumbler with a hex barrel. In my humble opinion it is the perfect starter size.
From there I went to a QT66, another great machine. Then I went to a QT12 which has been a lot of trouble. Then my QT66 started acting up. I realized that I was putting the 12 lb barrels on it. While it's hard to overload a QT66, it's way to easy to overload the QT12. I've had the same problems with the 33 I bought for my daughter. It has the same motor as the 45, but the 45 is virtually impossible to overload. The 33 seems to be overladed as soon as we put both barrels on it. Then we just built own own tumbler, making use of the lortone barrels - no more stalling out.
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Post by tntmom on Oct 24, 2011 0:09:30 GMT -5
Hey Colt!
I have 2 Lortone 33 A's, 1 Barranca BR-6 incline (6 lb'er), a QT-12 and my favorite of them all, the Lot-O vibe. The 3 lb'ers do take much more time to rough, however, they can not be matched for materials like obsidian!!! They are gentle and produce awesome results with sketchy stones. I mix with 50% ceramics (from Rock Shed) when I rough my OB. As far as grit... I use AO for 500, 1000 and polish. Skip the 46/70 unless you opt for a large tumbler. It will do you no good in the smaller ones and sometimes wont even break down. I use 60/90 sic and then graded 220 sic before moving on to ao's.
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