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Author Topic: tumbler questions  (Read 5011 times)

redbelly

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tumbler questions
« on: June 10, 2017, 01:43:01 PM »
G'day all
Looking to buy a Lortone tumbler but not sure what size.
I've looked at the 3lb and the 6lb machines. It's not the volume that I'm thinking
about it's more the size of the stone. Are you likely to tumble stones larger
than the 3lb barrel can handle ???

Aussie Sapphire

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Re: tumbler questions
« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2017, 01:59:58 PM »
Rule of thumb is to put in a variety of sized material up to about half the diameter of the barrel so that all rocks can move freely within the space (usually between 2/3 to 3/4 full).

If you think you will be wanting to tumble stones larger than about 5cm (the internal diameter of the 3 pound barrel is 10cm), then you need to get a larger tumbler.  Otherwise you will have to either restrict yourself to the smaller stones or break larger ones up so they will fit.

Cheers
Leah
Aussie Sapphire - The Lapidary Warehouse

swirly

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Re: tumbler questions
« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2017, 02:07:04 PM »
i use a number of tumblers all the time,some home made.also a 3lb,lortone single barell tumbler, which is my favourite at the moment.but im going to invest in a lortone 2 barrel tumbler as i live in wangarrata vic, not far from eldorado.so i have plenty of quartz crystal,agate and coloured jasper tumbling all the time plus i tumbler antique river worn glass as well from eldi,my choice would be the 2 barrel lortone as they are very quiet.around $250.oo free postage on ebay worth every penny.

redbelly

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Re: tumbler questions
« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2017, 02:19:39 PM »
thanks heaps for the advise.
So a 50mm stone is max for a 3lb barrel.
Hard to know if I would polish any thing over 50mm.
Maybe just go with the 6lb machine just in case.

Aussie Sapphire

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Re: tumbler questions
« Reply #4 on: June 10, 2017, 02:27:10 PM »
$250.00 free postage on ebay worth every penny.

Or you could actually buy it from the company that provides this forum as a free service to fossickers and anyone interested in rocks.

You would also actually save yourself some $$ compared to the Ebay price.  WIN WIN !!

Spend more if you want to or go for $210 + postage ranging from $13 to $20 (a saving of up to $27 depending on where you live in Australia).

Cheers
Leah

Aussie Sapphire - The Lapidary Warehouse

redbelly

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Re: tumbler questions
« Reply #5 on: June 10, 2017, 02:38:05 PM »
Thanks Leah,
Will do, just need to decide on the size I need

Aussie Sapphire

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Re: tumbler questions
« Reply #6 on: June 10, 2017, 02:45:47 PM »
Thanks Leah,
Will do, just need to decide on the size I need

You are free to buy wherever you wish but if price is important, never assume that Ebay will be cheaper as Swirly's message implied. Price around and check company service/reputation so you can be sure you are getting the best value deal. 

We always encourage people to price check - we are not always able to beat every price online but we have a pretty competitive deal with Lortone as their Master Importer and will always try to pass the savings on where we can.

cheers
leah
Aussie Sapphire - The Lapidary Warehouse

swirly

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Re: tumbler questions
« Reply #7 on: June 10, 2017, 02:50:48 PM »
i think ill be buying my next tumbler from aussie sapphire,no worries.

MakkyBrown

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Re: tumbler questions
« Reply #8 on: June 10, 2017, 05:27:17 PM »
I built my own tumber for about $60, 1/8hp motor from ebay, some chinese pillow blocks, belts, timing gears, and scrap streel laying about. I then got some nice lortone barrels from Aussie Sapphire. Can run three medium sized barrels at once. :)

 

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