Another "Which one" question (Updated)

[napp]

I've decided it's time to spring for a rock/coin tumbler. After searching various threads on the forum, it appears that the Harbor Freight tumbler seems to be a popular choice: although, many of the comments indicate that the HF tumbler has a problem with belt life. I don't have a HF store in my area; and their website shows that both of their tumbler models are on back order.

Being an impatient type by nature, I am looking at other alternatives. Those alternatives are Thumbler and Lortone. I don't see much specific info about these companies on this forum.

The pricing for their similar models seems to be a toss-up; so I am trying to sort out differences in reliability, ease of use, and performance. I would be especially interested in comments from any forum members who have experience with either (or both) of those brands.

Would really appreciate your comments.

[bruinvikes]

If you really want the HF tumbler. If you are trusting of a forum member perhaps they can buy one and ship it to you. I took the last tumbler from the shelf at my local HF, but I love the tumbler, it does a great job.

[napp]

Therein lies the problem. I'm still not sure which one I want. All the comments about belt problems with the HF are somewhat worrisome. I don't mind paying more for another brand if I can be relatively sure it won't nickel and dime me to death for belt replacements.

I dig a lot of holes for my nickels and dimes.

[DIGGER27]

Originally Posted by napp

Therein lies the problem. I'm still not sure which one I want. All the comments about belt problems with the HF are somewhat worrisome. I don't mind paying more for another brand if I can be relatively sure it won't nickel and dime me to death for belt replacements.

I dig a lot of holes for my nickels and dimes.

I have the double HF tumbler, got 5 extra belts with it but have not need to put on one, yet.
I have been tumbling my loads for just over a year, hours and hours, and never had a problem with a belt, overheating or anything.
Then again, I don't ever overload it or abuse it in any way.

If needed, replacement belts are easily purchased from HF, on the net, or any auto parts store and they are cheap.

Replacement is very easy if ever necessary, I am not worried about any of this at all.

"Still having big problems with the AT Pro
The F2 falses in dewy grass or in water
The Garrett Propointer has bad switches
The HF tumbler goes through belts"

All rumors that are not true.
Sure there are a few people that have had problems...no product is perfect...but overall you need to take this stuff with a grain of salt.

I never listen to rumors.

That being said, I have read many posts from owners of the other two brands you mention and the Lortone is the one that is the most popular with the most glowing reviews.

[Skwerly]

in general, the rule i follow for HF stuff is that if it moves or has moving parts, buy with caution. i have a grinder that has been through hell and back and still continues to kick booty. i had one of their reciprocating saws bust on me pretty quickly, though, and NONE of the air tools last more than an hour with me.

i pony up the extra twenty bucks and go somewhere else for electric things, for the most part.

[dogpound]

my HF tumbler even came with an extra belt that i haven't had to use yet, just don't overfill the barrel and make sure you burp the barrel before putting the lid on to prevent the barrel from binding against the frame. i also heard the belts are similar size to vacuum cleaner belts so anyplace that sells vacuum cleaner parts should also have them.

[napp]

Well, my impatience got the best of me; and I couldn't wait for HF to restock.
After some pretty intensive searching I found a website that offered the Lortone Model 33B for $92.99 plus shipping. The 33B has two 3 lb rubber drums.

Quite frankly, the advertised price was so much lower than what I was seeing elsewhere that it made me a little suspicious. I was dubious about ordering from an unknown dealer; and the lackluster website didn't instill a great deal of confidence. Well, anyway, I decided to gamble and placed my online order on 1 March. I received an immediate automated email confirming the order; and on 2 March, I received a shipping notice with a FEDEX tracking number. The tumbler was delivered to my house on 6 March.

I ran my first batch of coins through a cleaning cycle last night; and I am will pleased with the results. If any of you have any interest in a tumbler other than the HF version, you might want to check out this company. They sell other brands of tumblers, also; but the Lortones seem to be discounted more than the other brands. http://www.erocktumbling.com/Lortone...04-091-LOR.htm