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Post by Pat on Apr 23, 2014 19:44:17 GMT -5
I need recommendations for a small tumbler. Don't want to make it.
From what I recall Harbor Freight is junk, and Lortone is junk.
Can you recommend a decent beginner's tumbler?
Thanks.
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1nickthegreek
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 382
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Post by 1nickthegreek on Apr 23, 2014 19:50:38 GMT -5
I need recommendations for a small tumbler. Don't want to make it. From what I recall Harbor Freight is junk, and Lortone is junk. Can you recommend a decent beginner's tumbler? Thanks. I have had NO issues with any of my Lortone tumblers, (I run a double three pound barrel tumbler and also a single six pounder). My Harbor Freight has given me no problems so far, has ran 24/7 since before Christmas. As long as you keep the tumbler oiled well and the belts tight they all work great. What do you consider a Small tumbler, 1.5 pounder, or even smaller??
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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 Apr 23, 2014 22:57:48 GMT -5
We have been given two Thumlers Model T's by friends that got old. Both were used an unknown amount, and both have given us many loads of little things with no troubles at all. Weekly shaft cleaning and a few drops of oil keep them running good.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Apr 24, 2014 0:08:40 GMT -5
Never had a problem with my Lortone tumblers I didn't create on my own. I ruined a motor, more precisely a motor bearing, by over tightening a belt. I know some here don't like them but I'm satisfied. I routinely run them heavier than they are rated but that's hard to avoid when filled properly. Used to worry me but they are still chugging along. The barrels are sturdy and don't leak. Did not like the second hand Chicago Electric I had.
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 24, 2014 10:12:01 GMT -5
Lortone or Thumlers will work fine. I would go with a double 3 lb.
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jerrys
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 263
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Post by jerrys on Apr 24, 2014 11:46:06 GMT -5
We run 9 to 11 tumbler barrels at a time. Three of those are Lortone. My wife loves the Lortone barrels for ease of opening and sealing. Leaking is not an issue with the Lortone barrels.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 24, 2014 14:33:29 GMT -5
I've had good luck with my Lortone 33b and QT66. I've heard that the motors wear out, but I've been running my 33b continuously for over two years and my QT66 for continuously over one year and so far, they're running fine.
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 27, 2014 14:22:05 GMT -5
I recomend buying a tumbler with the round motor vs the open frame motor that lives in the square box, as in thumler A-R1 or A-R2 rather than a MP1 www.therockshed.com/tumbler2.html
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Apr 27, 2014 17:22:00 GMT -5
I have Lortone tumblers, and will buy them again if and when I think my wife isn't lookin'. Problems? Not with mine running 24/7!
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on May 11, 2014 13:05:17 GMT -5
I need recommendations for a small tumbler. Don't want to make it. From what I recall Harbor Freight is junk, and Lortone is junk. Can you recommend a decent beginner's tumbler? Thanks. Lortone, Lortone, Lortone. Everybody buys a Lortone, because that's what everybody else has. Some go out of the mainstream, and buy a Thumler's. Ah, but there ARE alternatives. As for me, I run a Covington. Some folks hate 'em, maybe because they can't get enough seal on the barrel. But so far, I've never had a problem with any Covington I've owned or borrowed. I just seat the band at the end of the neck, where it meets the lid, and tighten the hose clamp with a 5/16" socket, the type that goes at the end of an interchangeable head screwdriver. Never had a problem. Them barrels will even hold when they're gassed up enough to make a Lortone leak. Yes, you pay more for a Covington. But you also get a cast aluminum frame and solid, durable components that last for years. Mine just keeps going, and is very efficient. I wish you the best of luck. By the way: I have a #255 with two half-gallon barrels, which I fill to capacity. I'm considering a single-barrel half-gallon for when I have a smaller amount of material. Best of luck.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on May 12, 2014 23:07:16 GMT -5
I have two tumblers now,one is a Lortone,the other I haven't a clue......
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transcendental
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 459
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Post by transcendental on Jun 10, 2014 12:12:24 GMT -5
What'd you end up getting? I work for harbor freight so I'm very well aware of their product quality but I did buy the 3 lb rotary a couple days ago after 4 years of watching for returns on them (only had one returned because of broken belts.... and yes I know 4 years is a long time to watch a product without buying it. Up until a couple months ago I had no practical reason to buy it other than for fun) and read extensive reviews on the thing. Today is day 2 running it and no problems yet. Reviews said to oil the bushing bearings so I did and to loosen the drive belt before first operation and to keep an eye on both and make adjustments accordingly. Fingers crossed it'll work for a while, in the reviews this one guy has had his for 3 years with no problems. Don't over load the motor and keep it oiled. If it does crap out on me I'll know before my 90 days are up and I kept the receipt and I paid $25 for it on sale with a coupon and my employee discount. You get what you pay for and it seems to be a good first time tumbler for occasional use. I'll let you know how it does.
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accidic
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2014
Posts: 1
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Post by accidic on Sept 18, 2014 10:53:22 GMT -5
I bought the cheap crappy made in China Harbor Freight tumbler that is apparently partially a clone of the Lortone (that's what I'm here looking for as the barrels appear to be identically sized) mainly to see if my daughter would maintain an interest (hard to pass up for under $18 on sale. Since then, she's ran it near nonstop. I bought extra belts given their well known propensity for snapping but I only had to replace one after the first week. After that, I flipped the wheel to where the adjustment knob is on the inside after drilling an access hole in the top (which is protected by the cover normally) so that I could tighten it and by turning it on before tightening it it will slide in or out to self align (I've not had to change the second belt now in well over a year). While I hate the plastic wheel and drive cog, I do like the the drive has a built in fan to help move air around the motor. Definitely replace the screw on the large wheel though, not only will it make it easier to access, having a little cushion will let you be sure it's tight and there is zero danger of the fan/cog slipping.
That said, if money is less of an issue, I personally like my Thumlers with the 15lb drum but it is a bit much for the rocks she scavenges. There may be some super premium options but for the $200 or so it costs, my father's is literally decades old with thousands and thousands of hours on it without so much as an issue (save an occasional belt obviously and minor perishables after gobs of running time). Still though, also interested in what you went with.
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Post by gingerkid on Sept 18, 2014 17:31:15 GMT -5
Ms. Pat, I just started tumbling a couple of months ago. I am very pleased with the Thumler AR-2 model. It's a purdy fire engine red color and runs quietly. It can be difficult trying to get the band around the lid if you have small hands, but once you get the hang of it, I think you'll like the tumbler. Usually place oil in the oil ports once a month. You can run only one barrel at a time instead of two if you don't have enough material to fill both barrels.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2014 10:21:22 GMT -5
MJR sucks - dont buy that one.
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Post by Pat on Sept 20, 2014 13:54:43 GMT -5
I ended up with a used Lortone Model 3A. It's rotary. Haven't used it yet. Got it to tumble the rind off some rocks.
I have had a small vibrating tumbler Micro-Sonic KG-1 for many years. I use it only to tumble jump rings and to clean metal. Does a wonderful job. I use a drop of liquid Dawn Dishwashing Detergent in water with various shaped stainless steel shot. Does a wonderful job.
Want to keep the tumbler purposes separate. Don't want ANY grit in the tumbler for metal.
Thanks for all the discussion. It was helpful.
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