My recommendation for a beginners tumbler
Jan 16, 2021 20:58:54 GMT -5
Jugglerguy, quartzilla, and 5 more like this
Post by holajonathan on Jan 16, 2021 20:58:54 GMT -5
I own, and I can recommend, the National Geographic 3 pound tumbler currently being sold on Amazon for $99.99. I have owned it for 1 year and 11 months -- it was my first tumbler. I now have a $500 Covington 3 x 12lbs tumbler and a Thumbler's model B, so I know the difference between "real" tumblers and toy tumblers. The little Nat Geo works well enough that I keep running it despite the fact that I have over 50 pounds of tumbler capacity in larger barrels.
It is a real tumbler, not a mere toy. I now use it for rocks that are almost ready for the next stage, but need just a little bit more coarse. I pull those rocks when I do a full clean out, since I usually just add more grit to my big barrels every 4 to 5 days, and only do a full clean out every few weeks. By pulling the ones that are almost ready, they don't get worn down unnecessarily once they are ready for the next stage.
Pros:
1. Good quality barrel. 80% of Lortone quality. Has never leaked. Thick, solid rubber. Heavy stainless steel (I think?) lid. Ease to open and close. Light years ahead of the Harbor Freight barrels.
2. Barrel is the right shape (large diameter) to tumble rocks efficiently. The interior is angled off (instead of being perfectly round) which also helps with efficiency.
3. It is quiet, the quietest tumbler I own. I oil the shafts once in a while and it never squeaks. Motor is quiet. Rubber barrel insulated sound very well.
4. It is very energy efficient. It only uses about 10 watts.
5. It has a two year warranty and National Geographic Toys stands by the warranty, no questions asked. More on this under Cons.
6. The original belt lasted a year and a half of nearly constant use, and it comes with a replacement.
7. It has 3 speeds, although the lower speeds are only helpful for the final two stages.
8. The base is painted aluminum and seems sturdy enough. Will never rust.
9. Most importantly, it actually works. It will break down 46/70 grit in 4 or 5 days if you have a good slurry and save / reuse your slurry during clean outs. I have only used it for the coarse stage, but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't take stones through polish just fine.
Cons:
1. It's small. That is not really a con, but you're not going to tumble big rocks or a ton of smaller rocks in a 3 pound barrel.
2. The motor works great, until it doesn't. Mine died after 1 year and 10 months. I sent Nat Geo Toys a brief email and they sent me a whole new base unit, no questions asked. Nothing to return. No hassle. I can probably find a replacement motor for $10-$15 if I want to fix the base with the bad motor. It should be a 10-15 minute repair.
3. Everything that comes in the kit besides the tumblers is useless unless you are a the true beginner. 3 pounds of uninteresting rocks, tiny grit packets, a little plastic strainer, and some kind of polishing foam? Again, this is not a con per se, and most people who buy this tumbler will be completely satisfied with what is included.
That's it. No referral link. Nothing in it for me. I just thought I would share my experience for any beginners out there, or who might find this in the future, and are looking for an affordable tumbler that really works. It is light years ahead of the Harbor Freight tumbler (trust me, I know), but a little more affordable than the 3 pound tumblers options from Lortone or Thumblers, which are also great options.
It is a real tumbler, not a mere toy. I now use it for rocks that are almost ready for the next stage, but need just a little bit more coarse. I pull those rocks when I do a full clean out, since I usually just add more grit to my big barrels every 4 to 5 days, and only do a full clean out every few weeks. By pulling the ones that are almost ready, they don't get worn down unnecessarily once they are ready for the next stage.
Pros:
1. Good quality barrel. 80% of Lortone quality. Has never leaked. Thick, solid rubber. Heavy stainless steel (I think?) lid. Ease to open and close. Light years ahead of the Harbor Freight barrels.
2. Barrel is the right shape (large diameter) to tumble rocks efficiently. The interior is angled off (instead of being perfectly round) which also helps with efficiency.
3. It is quiet, the quietest tumbler I own. I oil the shafts once in a while and it never squeaks. Motor is quiet. Rubber barrel insulated sound very well.
4. It is very energy efficient. It only uses about 10 watts.
5. It has a two year warranty and National Geographic Toys stands by the warranty, no questions asked. More on this under Cons.
6. The original belt lasted a year and a half of nearly constant use, and it comes with a replacement.
7. It has 3 speeds, although the lower speeds are only helpful for the final two stages.
8. The base is painted aluminum and seems sturdy enough. Will never rust.
9. Most importantly, it actually works. It will break down 46/70 grit in 4 or 5 days if you have a good slurry and save / reuse your slurry during clean outs. I have only used it for the coarse stage, but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't take stones through polish just fine.
Cons:
1. It's small. That is not really a con, but you're not going to tumble big rocks or a ton of smaller rocks in a 3 pound barrel.
2. The motor works great, until it doesn't. Mine died after 1 year and 10 months. I sent Nat Geo Toys a brief email and they sent me a whole new base unit, no questions asked. Nothing to return. No hassle. I can probably find a replacement motor for $10-$15 if I want to fix the base with the bad motor. It should be a 10-15 minute repair.
3. Everything that comes in the kit besides the tumblers is useless unless you are a the true beginner. 3 pounds of uninteresting rocks, tiny grit packets, a little plastic strainer, and some kind of polishing foam? Again, this is not a con per se, and most people who buy this tumbler will be completely satisfied with what is included.
That's it. No referral link. Nothing in it for me. I just thought I would share my experience for any beginners out there, or who might find this in the future, and are looking for an affordable tumbler that really works. It is light years ahead of the Harbor Freight tumbler (trust me, I know), but a little more affordable than the 3 pound tumblers options from Lortone or Thumblers, which are also great options.