Most hobbyist tumblers are designed to operate quietly. The people who
design them know that many tumblers are operated in homes where a large
amount of noise is undesirable.
Rubber Barrel Tumblers Are Quiet
If you want a quiet tumbler purchase a small rotary tumbler with a soft rubber barrel. The Lortone Model 3A and the Thumler's Model A-R1 are the quietest machines that we know.
Their soft rubber barrels absorb the impact of the tumbling rocks and produce very
little noise. The Lortone Model 3A tumbler and the Thumler's Model A-R1 tumbler
are good choices if you want a quiet machine. When running with a full load
they make about as much noise as giving a 1/2-full carton of orange juice a gentle
shaking.
If you want a slightly larger tumbler the Lortone Model 45C, the Lortone Model QT6 and the twin-barrel tumblers,
Lortone Model 33B and Thumler's Model A-R2 are also relatively quiet. They
make about as much noise as shaking a carton of orange juice vigorously.
Plastic Barrel Tumblers Are Noisy!
Some inexpensive tumblers are made with hard plastic barrels. Imagine
how much noise will occur if you shake a hard plastic barrel with rocks
inside!
I purchased two of the popular plastic-barrel tumblers and ran them to see how well they worked. The
clatter was more than we could tolerate. I ran one in my garage and could not sleep in the bedroom above
because of the nagging noise. One of the Rock-Tumbler.com staff members tested one in his basement and
said that he could hear the noise up in his second-floor bedroom.
These inexpensive tumblers might last through a couple loads of rock
but the plastic construction assures that they will break or wear out quickly.
We recommend buying a tumbler with a metal frame and rubber barrel. They
make less noise and will last for years with proper care.
For an inexpensive start with a good quality rubber-barrel tumbler that is quiet we
recommend the Lortone 3A and
the Thumler's A-R1.
Where to Run Your Rock Tumbler?
Most people run their tumbler in the basement or in the garage where
a little noise will not cause a problem. We have used small rubber-barrel tumblers in
basements and garages of the homes where we have lived and could barely hear them
in other parts of the house.
As I write this we have a Lortone Model QT6 and
a Thumler's Model AR-2 running continuously in our basement garage and I do not
hear them while sleeping in the bedroom directly above. I also have a
single Lot-o-Tumbler running down there.
I start it in the morning before going to work and rinse the rock before going to bed. I
don't run it at night because I can hear the "hummmm" in the bedroom above.
Be Sure To Oil the Tumbler's Bearings
If your tumbler makes a squeaking noise the bearings probably need to be oiled.
One drop of oil on each bearing once a month will keep your tumbler running
smoothly and quietly. Check the instructions manual supplied with the
tumbler for specific oiling instructions. A little oil on the bearings almost always
stops the squeak. If your bearings don't stop squeaking with oil it is probably
time to replace them. We sell replacement bearings.
One caution about using oil: the rubber parts of your tumbler such as
the barrels, the belt and rollers should not be oiled. Oil will make the belt
slip and oil will react with the rubber and make it sticky. So, do not oil the
rubber parts of the machine. Also, most motors do not need oil! Check your
instructions manual before you put any oil on the motor.
The Noise is Coming From the Motor!
Tumbler motors should run quietly. If your motor is growling you
might have the tumbler overloaded. Tumbler barrels should be packed 1/2
to 3/4 full of rock. A three-pound barrel is designed to tumble a three-pound
load. That means two pounds of rock and one pound for the grit and water.
If your tumbler was overloaded try reducing the load in the barrel
and the motor might stop complaining. If the motor still is loud then it might
be wearing out. Replacement motors for Lortone and Thumler's
machines can be purchased and they are very easy to replace.
Can I Put a Box Over the Tumbler?
Placing a cardboard box over the tumbler will reduce the noise, however,
it causes a problem - tumbler motors are cooled with air and the
air under the box will soon become hot, causing the motor to overheat.
If you insist on placing a box over the machine use a large box and cut
some air vents along the bottom of the box. A few openings in the top and a few in the bottom -
near the floor - will allow cool air to enter the bottom vents and warm
air to rise and exit the vents in the top of the box.
Happy Tumbling! 
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Oiling the bearings is a very easy job that will make your tumbler run quietly and last longer. One drop per bearing each month of operation. Check your instructions manual for complete oiling details. |
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