| Guide Review |
 |
My Tumbler Experience
Lortone products may be purchased from authorized dealers. While you can purchase a rock tumbler online, I recommend buying one from a dealer in your area, to get supplies and information as needed and to bring your tumbler in should any problems occur. I purchased my tumbler from Silver Armadillo in Asheville, NC. They tested the motor and belt and set me up with supplies and helpful tips before I left the store (and carry lots of rock mixes for future visits!). All Lortone barrels are rubber, for minimal leaking (I have none) and low noise (a white noise sound). I read the instruction manual, which covers the basics but little else (don't worry - there is lots of info online), and got to work. The tumbler is very easy to use, but be warned that the motor is intended to run hot. We're not talking 'burn the table' hot, but the casing is warm/hot to the touch and I think it would be difficult to tell if the tumbler load was enough to damage the motor (leading cause of burnout). The warranty states that the motor is covered separately from the rest of the tumbler, so weigh your load, run the tumbler on a level surface, and don't exceed the recommended capacity of the model. Check out the workings of the machine - where parts are and what they do - and make sure your belt tension is correct. Allow good air circulation around the tumbler.
Model 33B features two barrels, so twice as many rocks can be started for combination in a single barrel for polishing or one barrel can be reserved for polishing, reducing the chance of grit contamination from the initial stages. In addition to grits, polishes, and plastic pellets make sure you have light machine oil. You may want some Vaseline, but I haven't needed it.
| |
|
 |
|
