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Post by DawninCal on Apr 10, 2013 22:07:31 GMT -6
I've decided it's time to buy a tumbler. Tell me what I should buy and why. Dawn
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Post by gbobmi on Apr 11, 2013 8:56:36 GMT -6
Dawn, I have the single barrel Lortone tumbler with 2 lbs. of steel shot. It's a workhorse and well worth the money!
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Post by koolbraider on Apr 11, 2013 9:24:26 GMT -6
Absolutely!! Lortone, Lortone, Lortone. And some burnishing powder from Santa Fe Jewelry supply to clean the SS shot occasionally.
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Post by nicker on Apr 11, 2013 9:25:24 GMT -6
I have three, one lortone and two no names I got used. They all work great.
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Post by DawninCal on Apr 11, 2013 23:40:00 GMT -6
'k, as some of you know, I'm kinda frugal. Always improvising tools and stuff. I think part of it is a vicious circle of not wanting to invest too much into a business that may never take off, yet one has to spend money to make money. How much is a Lortone going to set me back? Dawn
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Post by caeterle on Apr 12, 2013 1:13:44 GMT -6
Look up Lortone tumbler on Amazon and/or eBay to give you an idea, Dawn. Maybe Craigslist, too? I've heard people sometimes got lucky there
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Post by admin on Apr 12, 2013 7:37:12 GMT -6
I have an economical HF tumbler which I have never had any issue with in the 3 years I have been using it...I don't use either of my tumblers on a daily basis...the other one is a Raytech Vibratory tumbler which I love...I use that for more delicate items and stones.
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Post by MmeMagpie on Apr 13, 2013 7:20:21 GMT -6
Lortone. I've had the 3A for 3-4 years, now. Runs quiet, replacement parts available if I ever need them, no maintenance to speak of (none that I've done, anyway). It's the first and last tumbler you'll ever buy. I use it two or more days a week. Mine was about $70.
Get stainless shot. The buck or two a pound you'll save on regular steel isn't worth the astounding amount of hassle it comes with (like laying it out on a towel and drying it with a hair dryer so it doesn't flash rust). I use one pound just fine, but I'd really prefer two.
Use blue Dawn dish liquid. I keep one bottle around just for tumbling. I've used others and they don't work as well. I have also experienced discoloration from citrus soaps.
For especially delicate things (and an amazing burnished finish) get 1 pound of round porcelain shot. I get mine from Otto Frei.
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Post by DawninCal on Apr 13, 2013 19:08:48 GMT -6
Thank you so much to all of you for your advice and suggestions. Andrea, I really appreciate your comments about the shot and the soap. Hope to order one this weekend! Dawn
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Post by gbobmi on Apr 13, 2013 21:21:00 GMT -6
Make sure you use Original Dawn-not the newer stuff. I think you can get it at Wal-Mart.
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Post by DawninCal on Apr 13, 2013 22:04:16 GMT -6
Thanks for that head's up, Gayle. I can never figure out why companies make new and improved stuff when the original was perfect. If it works, don't fix it. I think it's funny that Dawn will be using Dawn in her new tumbler! Dawn
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Post by nicker on Apr 13, 2013 22:25:14 GMT -6
Dove soap or any pure soap works well too.
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Post by gbobmi on Apr 13, 2013 22:55:36 GMT -6
Dawn using Dawn! LOL!
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Post by DawninCal on Apr 14, 2013 0:53:54 GMT -6
That's good information about the soap, Nicole. Hee, Gayle! From here on out, you might think of me every time you use Dawn! I've been doing research this evening and am finding a wide spread of prices out there. Aside from Ebay, the best deal I found was a Lortine 3A tumbler including one pound of stainless steel shot for $98.00 which seems pretty reasonable to me. In case you all are wondering why I'm so focused on finding the best price and why I improvise so often, it's because I've made it a point to not to dip into family funds to support my hobby/business. I could, but I want to see if I can make smart decisions on a shoe string budget based on my jewelry sales without having to "borrow" from the family funds. Knowing that I've set this restriction on myself means that I carefully consider each purchase I make, especially what seems to me like a big one based on the funds that are available. Dawn
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Post by MmeMagpie on Apr 14, 2013 9:42:16 GMT -6
Never thought of straight-up soap, Nicker. I was told by the old-timers to always use blue Dawn. ANd after trying other stuff, I know why. I also like Dawn for the grease cutters in it. Great if you use grease-based polishing compounds.
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