denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 21, 2021 15:37:07 GMT -5
Hello, I posted this question somewhere else on the board but then I read I'm supposed to post questions on the main board. I hope this is the right place. I joined this group specifically to find an answer to my question. So far rock tumbling has been really frustrating for me. Here is my 1st question:
Hello, I just started rock tumbling within the past year, and in that time I've purchased 4 tumblers, all of which have broken. First I got a Lortone and the motor stopped working. Then I got a Thumbler and the barrel came open and all the grit and rocks spilled everywhere. Then I bought 2 National Geographic tumblers; the hobby tumbler, on which the motor shut down, and the Professional tumbler, on which the lights indicating the number of days set suddenly stopped working. Nat Geo has replaced both tumblers, but I REALLY want to get one that will last a lifetime. I would like to have recommendations for a tumbler that will not stop working! I prefer the 3 lb barrel, but I will buy a one pound machine if that is the best option. Thank you in advance for your help
I HAVE A 2nd QUESTION: Has anyone heard of Kingsley North? I ordered some Mexican Crazy Lace Agate from them to tumble and I'm really disappointed. So far it doesn't look anything like the Crazy Lace I have seen all my life. Is Kingsley North a legit place?
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Post by RickB on Oct 21, 2021 15:46:36 GMT -5
Can you post this in a darker color so we can read it a little better. I have to highlight light colors to see the post.
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Post by knave on Oct 21, 2021 16:04:03 GMT -5
Kingsley is very much a legit company, good people. Also what did you do with all your bad tumblers?
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Post by knave on Oct 21, 2021 16:04:38 GMT -5
Can you post this in a darker color so we can read it a little better. I have to highlight light colors to see the post. Hello, I posted this question somewhere else on the board but then I read I'm supposed to post questions on the main board. I hope this is the right place. I joined this group specifically to find an answer to my question. So far rock tumbling has been really frustrating for me. Here is my 1st question: Hello, I just started rock tumbling within the past year, and in that time I've purchased 4 tumblers, all of which have broken. First I got a Lortone and the motor stopped working. Then I got a Thumbler and the barrel came open and all the grit and rocks spilled everywhere. Then I bought 2 National Geographic tumblers; the hobby tumbler, on which the motor shut down, and the Professional tumbler, on which the lights indicating the number of days set suddenly stopped working. Nat Geo has replaced both tumblers, but I REALLY want to get one that will last a lifetime. I would like to have recommendations for a tumbler that will not stop working! I prefer the 3 lb barrel, but I will buy a one pound machine if that is the best option. Thank you in advance for your help I HAVE A 2nd QUESTION: Has anyone heard of Kingsley North? I ordered some Mexican Crazy Lace Agate from them to tumble and I'm really disappointed. So far it doesn't look anything like the Crazy Lace I have seen all my life. Is Kingsley North a legit place?
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hypodactylus
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 434
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Post by hypodactylus on Oct 21, 2021 16:17:44 GMT -5
I have a National Geographic Pro, a Lortone 3A, and a Lortone QT12. I have never really had any problems with any of them. Not sure why you seem to have so much bad luck; not sure there is any brand that can overcome that... 😉
I have ordered grit from Kingsley North; the service seemed great!
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 21, 2021 17:04:46 GMT -5
Kingsley is very much a legit company, good people. Also what did you do with all your bad tumblers?
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 21, 2021 17:05:23 GMT -5
I threw them all away. Nat Geo replaced both of them; the other companies did not.
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 21, 2021 17:07:13 GMT -5
Can you post this in a darker color so we can read it a little better. I have to highlight light colors to see the post. DONE
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hypodactylus
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 434
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Post by hypodactylus on Oct 21, 2021 17:14:25 GMT -5
I threw them all away. Nat Geo replaced both of them; the other companies did not. Oh no! You could have at least made some money selling them. Tumblers are generally pretty mechanically simple and some people like to fix them. If anything, you could have sold them for parts if you didn't want to try fixing them yourself. Again, sorry for your bad string of luck with tumblers. Any chance you are running them in poor conditions? Extreme heat, dirt/dust, water, etc can certainly be bad.
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 21, 2021 17:23:06 GMT -5
I threw them all away. Nat Geo replaced both of them; the other companies did not. Oh no! You could have at least made some money selling them. Tumblers are generally pretty mechanically simple and some people like to fix them. If anything, you could have sold them for parts if you didn't want to try fixing them yourself. Again, sorry for your bad string of luck with tumblers. Any chance you are running them in poor conditions? Extreme heat, dirt/dust, water, etc can certainly be bad.
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 21, 2021 17:24:58 GMT -5
No, they're in a normal temperature room away from heaters, windows, water, etc. I guess I've just had really bad luck. My husband thinks I run the tumbler too much; could that be possible? I've run it every day for about 3 months.
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hypodactylus
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 434
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Post by hypodactylus on Oct 21, 2021 18:03:57 GMT -5
No, they're in a normal temperature room away from heaters, windows, water, etc. I guess I've just had really bad luck. My husband thinks I run the tumbler too much; could that be possible? I've run it every day for about 3 months. No, they are built to run all the time. I have run mine 24/7 for most of the time I've had them, except during winter when I am not necessarily running all of them. I turn them off each week when I wash out the barrel/load and when I am going to be away from home overnight. Other than that, they run 24/7 for months on end.
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 21, 2021 18:42:38 GMT -5
Thanks! Why do you turn them opff when you go away overnight? I thought they were safe; I leave mine running
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hypodactylus
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 434
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Post by hypodactylus on Oct 21, 2021 22:02:53 GMT -5
Things can go wrong and I'd rather be home when they do! Not trying to scare anyone who does; that is just my preference. It is easier to deal with leaks, electrical issues, mechanical issues, etc. if I am home.
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 22, 2021 0:39:33 GMT -5
ok thanks
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lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 766
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Post by lordsorril on Oct 22, 2021 5:23:50 GMT -5
I would like to have recommendations for a tumbler that will not stop working!
I HAVE A 2nd QUESTION: Has anyone heard of Kingsley North? I ordered some Mexican Crazy Lace Agate from them to tumble and I'm really disappointed. So far it doesn't look anything like the Crazy Lace I have seen all my life. Is Kingsley North a legit place? I have two Lortone 33B's that have been running non-stop for 3 years, I have had to fully tighten, but, not replace their belts yet. I think the instructions say that they need to be oiled once a month: I have to oil all of my rotary tumblers once/week with 3-in-1 multipurpose oil or else I risk the barrel freezing and the motor burning out (which thankfully I haven't had happen yet on x9 Lortone tumblers). As for Kingsley North, they are legit, but, not my first choice. The material I receive is technically what I ordered, but, the quality is low. I purchased 25lbs. of crazy lace agate from them and was also disappointed as the majority of the stones I received were grey with only the slightest hint of banding. Sure, there were a few good pieces in there, but, they look like they were deliberately scattered in from a separate group as the colors did not match.
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denversue
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 160
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Post by denversue on Oct 22, 2021 9:40:08 GMT -5
Where do you recommend?
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Post by knave on Oct 22, 2021 9:41:35 GMT -5
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