Tumblers

I was going to have a look at the the posts on Tumblers on the MJ forum but surprise it's down at the mo
But the decent folks are here.

I'm thinking of getting a tumbler from what I remember a rubber barrel was good and the best make was Lorotone? ( hope I got that right. )

So is there anything else I missed, need to know or any suggestions?

I love my Lortone. There are various reasons for choosing rubber over plastic barrels, including:

• easier to open and close
  
• better seal
  
• no need for vanes (the rubber 'grabs' the shot and metal without them)
  
• much, much quieter

Do get stainless steel shot with mixed shapes including pins, but depending on where you get your shot, you may need to pre-run it for some time with scrap metal to dull the ends of the pins. Many of those supplied here are poor quality and very sharp, which can scratch or dent your finished pieces.

Palmer Metals usually have the best deal on the Lortone. Unless you want to also tumble with grits (for making faux sea glass or tumbling stones), a single barrel is fine.

Thanks MizG your advice is always brilliant. x