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Lortone is the name most experienced tumblers recommend first, and the 3A and 33B are why. They're simple machines: rubber barrels, a motor Lortone says can run 24 hours a day for years, and an instruction sheet that tells you exactly how much grit to use. There's no timer, no app, no LED screen. That simplicity is the point.
Our verdict on the Lortone rock tumbler line: buy the 33B if you can stretch to it. Its second barrel is the single most useful upgrade in rock tumbling. Buy the 3A if your rough supply is small or you want the lowest-cost route to hobby-grade build. Move up to the QT series only when you're filling two barrels a month and want bigger batches.
Every spec below comes from Lortone's product pages and its instruction manuals.
Quick Picks
- Best Lortone Overall: Lortone 33B. Best for most hobbyists, with two 3 lb barrels on a compact frame.
- Best Value: Lortone 3A. Best for a first hobby-grade tumbler with one 3 lb barrel.
- Best for High Volume: Lortone QT-66. Best for serious hobbyists running two 6 lb barrels.
- Best Big Single Barrel: Lortone QT12. Best for 12 lb batches of one rock type.
- Best Grit Match: Lortone Rock Tumbler 4-Stage Grit Pack. Best for following Lortone's sequence exactly.
The Lortone Lineup at a Glance
| Model | Barrels | Capacity | Notes from Lortone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3A | 1 | 3 lb | All-rubber barrel with molded-in ribs; stones up to 1-1/4 in; base 6 x 9.5 in |
| 33B | 2 | 3 lb each | Twin rubber barrels; same motor as the 3A; base 6.25 x 10.25 in |
| 45C | 1 | 4 lb | Rubber barrel |
| QT6 | 1 | 6 lb | All-rubber barrel |
| QT12 | 1 | 12 lb | Rubber barrel; V-belt drive |
| QT-66 | 2 | 6 lb each | Molded rubber barrels; 12 lb total |
Lortone also sells larger commercial machines (the C20 and C40), which are beyond the scope of a home hobby setup.
Lortone 3A vs 33B: Side by Side
| Lortone 3A | Lortone 33B | |
|---|---|---|
| Barrels | One 3 lb rubber barrel | Two 3 lb rubber barrels |
| Motor | 110V, continuous use | Same motor as the 3A, per Lortone's parts lists |
| Base | 6 x 9.5 in | 6.25 x 10.25 in |
| Max stone size | 1-1/4 in (stated for the 3A) | Same 3 lb barrel class |
| Batches at once | 1 | 2 |
| Kit version from Lortone | 3A Rock Tumbling Kit | 33B Rock Tumbling Kit |
| Best for | Small rough supply, tight space | Most hobbyists |
The two machines are more different inside than they look. Lortone's manuals list different frames, shafts and bearings for each. But they share the same motor, which is why the 33B is so compact for a twin.
The Lortone Rock Tumblers, Reviewed
Lortone 33B: Best Lortone Overall
Who it's for: anyone who plans to tumble regularly and wants the most practical Lortone.
The 33B runs two 3 lb rubber barrels side by side on a 6.25 x 10.25 in base. Two barrels change how you work. You can run coarse grind in one and polish in the other, so finished stones come out every week or two instead of once a month. You can also keep softer stones away from your agate, or run a test batch of a new rock without tying up your whole machine.
Maintenance is minimal. Lortone says the motor is designed for continuous use, doesn't need oiling, and normally runs hot. The shaft bearings get one drop of oil every 30 days. The 33B/45C manual calls for 4 level tablespoons each of 60/90 and 120/220 silicon carbide per 3 lb barrel, then 4 to 6 tablespoons each of aluminum oxide pre-polish and polish.
Lortone also sells a 33B Rock Tumbling Kit if you want supplies bundled in.
Pros
- Two batches at once in a compact footprint
- Same proven motor as the 3A
- Precise grit charts in the manual
- Very low maintenance
Cons
- Barrels are the same 3 lb size as the 3A
- No grit included with the bare machine
- Steady rumble; best in a garage, basement or laundry room
Lortone 33B Rotary Rock Tumbler
by Lortone
Amazon availability: the Lortone 33B showed as currently unavailable on Amazon.com when we checked in October 2026, and Lortone sells mainly through lapidary dealers. If you'd rather order on Amazon, the Thumler's Tumbler A-R2 is the closest twin-barrel match: two 3 lb rubber barrels on a fan-cooled, overload-protected motor, made in the USA.
Thumler's Tumbler A-R2 Rotary Rock Tumbler
by Thumler's Tumbler
Lortone 3A: Best Value
Who it's for: first-time hobbyists, small-space tumblers, and anyone with a modest rough supply.
The 3A is the classic first tumbler. It has a single 3 lb all-rubber barrel with molded-in ribs that help lift and roll the load. The interior measures 4-1/8 in deep by 3-7/8 in across, and Lortone rates it for stones up to 1-1/4 in. The base is 6 x 9.5 in, small enough for a shelf.
Its manual is a model of clarity. For a 3 lb barrel it calls for 4 level tablespoons each of 60/90 and 120/220 silicon carbide, then 6 tablespoons each of aluminum oxide pre-polish and polish. Fill the barrel about half to two-thirds with rock, check after two or three days, and expect each stage to take five to seven days.
The 3A's only real downside is throughput: one batch at a time. Lortone's 3A Rock Tumbling Kit adds its 4-step polish kit, plastic pellets and rough, which makes it a strong beginner bundle.
Pros
- Lowest-cost Lortone
- Rubber barrel with lifter ribs
- Clear, specific instructions
- Small footprint
Cons
- One batch at a time
- 1-1/4 in stone limit
- Grit sold separately unless you buy the kit
Lortone 3A Single Barrel Rock Tumbler
by Lortone
Amazon availability: the Lortone 3A showed as currently unavailable on Amazon.com when we checked in October 2026, and Lortone sells mainly through lapidary dealers. If you'd rather order on Amazon, the Tumble-Bee TB-14-KIT is the closest single-barrel match: one 4 lb rubber barrel, a thermal overload protector and two grit-and-rough kits in the box (115V only).
Tumble-Bee TB-14-KIT Rock Tumbler
by Tumble-Bee
Lortone QT-66: Best for High Volume
Who it's for: hobbyists who've outgrown 3 lb barrels and want two big batches running at once.
The QT-66 doubles the 33B idea at a bigger scale, with two 6 lb molded rubber barrels for 12 lb of total capacity. Lortone's chart calls for 10 tablespoons of each grinding grit and 12 of each polish per 6 lb barrel, so budget for bulk grit.
Larger barrels also take bigger stones and give them more drop, which helps the coarse grind on angular rough. The trade-offs are footprint, weight and the need for enough rough to fill two 6 lb barrels to the half-to-two-thirds mark. Our upcoming guide to large rock tumblers covers more big machines.
Pros
- Two 6 lb barrels, 12 lb total
- One motor running two big batches
- Bigger stones, faster coarse grind
- Run two stages at once
Cons
- Needs a lot of rough
- Larger and heavier than the 3 lb models
- Overkill for beginners
Lortone QT-66 Rotary Rock Tumbler
by Lortone
Lortone QT12: Best Big Single Barrel
Who it's for: tumblers with large amounts of a single rock type.
The QT12 runs one 12 lb rubber barrel on a V-belt drive. Lortone's chart calls for 20 tablespoons of each grinding grit and 24 of each polish. That suits someone with a bucket of one material, such as a haul of agate or jasper, who wants it all finished in one cycle.
If you process mixed rock types or want staggered batches, the QT-66's two 6 lb barrels are more flexible for the same total capacity.
Pros
- 12 lb in a single barrel
- V-belt drive
- Rubber barrel is quieter than steel
Cons
- One rock type and one stage at a time
- Needs a lot of rough to fill
- Large footprint
Lortone QT12 Rotary Rock Tumbler
by Lortone
Amazon availability: the Lortone QT12 showed as currently unavailable on Amazon.com when we checked in October 2026, and Lortone sells mainly through lapidary dealers. If you'd rather order on Amazon, the Thumler's Tumbler Model B is the closest big single-barrel match: a 15 lb steel barrel with a rubber liner that processes about 10 lb per run.
Thumler's Tumbler Model B Heavy Duty 15 lb Rock Tumbler
by Thumler's Tumbler
Lortone Rock Tumbler 4-Stage Grit Pack: Best Grit Match
Who it's for: Lortone owners who want grit that matches the manual's sequence.
Lortone's pack contains 16 oz of 60/90 silicon carbide, 14 oz of 150/220 silicon carbide, 12 oz of 500+ aluminum oxide pre-polish and 12 oz of fine aluminum oxide polish. Lortone rates it for up to 12 lb of rock, which works out to about four batches in a 3 lb barrel. For bulk alternatives, see our rock tumbler grit guide.
Pros
- Matches Lortone's published method
- Aluminum oxide pre-polish and polish
- Sized for several 3 lb batches
Cons
- Higher cost per pound than bulk kits
- No media
Lortone Rock Tumbler 4-Stage Grit Pack
by Lortone
Amazon availability: Lortone's 4-Stage Grit Pack showed as currently unavailable on Amazon.com when we checked in October 2026, and Lortone sells mainly through lapidary dealers. If you'd rather order on Amazon, the National Geographic Rock Tumbler Grit and Polish Refill Kit is a four-stage alternative sold by Amazon; National Geographic rates it for up to 20 lb of rock and says it works in any tumbler.
National Geographic Rock Tumbler Grit and Polish Refill Kit
by National Geographic
How to Use a Lortone Rock Tumbler (Per the Manual)
Lortone's instruction sheets are short and specific. Here's the core of the method:
- Fill the barrel about 1/2 to 2/3 full with assorted sizes of rock. Mixed sizes tumble better than uniform ones.
- Add water to cover the rocks and abrasive, or to the top layer of rocks. Don't overfill.
- Add grit per the chart below, seal the lid, and start the tumbler.
- Check after 2 to 3 days. Each stage typically ends after 5 to 7 days. Repeat a stage if the stones aren't ready.
- Vent gas by opening the barrel occasionally.
- Clean thoroughly between stages. Rinse rocks in a bucket, not a sink. Lortone warns not to pour rinse water down a household drain. Then wash the rocks and barrel parts with mild soap and water.
- Follow the sequence: 60/90 silicon carbide, then 120/220 silicon carbide, then aluminum oxide pre-polish, then aluminum oxide polish.
Lortone Grit Chart (Level Tablespoons per Barrel)
| Barrel | 60/90 | 120/220 | Pre-polish | Polish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 lb | 2 to 4 | 2 to 4 | 3 to 5 | 3 to 5 |
| 3 lb (3A) | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| 3 lb (33B) | 4 | 4 | 4 to 6 | 4 to 6 |
| 4 lb (45C) | 6 to 8 | 6 to 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 6 lb | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 |
| 12 lb | 20 | 20 | 24 | 24 |
Times vary with the rock. Hard stones such as agate and jasper (about 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale) often need a longer or repeated coarse stage. Softer stones grind faster and need closer watching. Our step-by-step tumbling guide covers this in detail.
Lortone vs Thumler's
These are the two legacy names in hobby tumbling, and you can't really go wrong with either. Here's how they differ on paper.
- Barrels: Lortone's 3 lb barrels and Thumler's 3 lb barrels are similar in size. Thumler's says its 3 lb barrel tumbles about 2 lb of rock.
- Motors: Lortone describes its motor as designed for continuous use. Thumler's describes its A-R2 motor as heavy, continuous-duty, fan-cooled and overload-protected.
- Made in: Thumler's says its tumblers are made in the USA. Lortone says its equipment is made in the Northwest with U.S. and foreign parts.
- Twins: the Lortone 33B and Thumler's A-R2 are direct rivals. Both are excellent, and the choice often comes down to which is in stock.
Our best rock tumbler roundup ranks both, and our rock tumblers for adults guide goes deeper on hobby-grade picks.
How We Chose
We didn't test Lortone tumblers ourselves. We researched them. We read Lortone's current product pages and its instruction manuals for the 3A, the 33B/45C and the QT series, including the parts lists, and compared them with Thumler's published specs. We also considered long-running owner feedback patterns from hobby communities. We report only what Lortone publishes; where Lortone doesn't state something, such as barrel rpm, we leave it out.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Lortone 3A and 33B?
The 3A has one 3 lb rubber barrel; the 33B has two. Lortone's manuals show both use the same 110V motor, but the 33B has its own frame, shafts and bearings and a slightly larger base (6.25 x 10.25 in vs 6 x 9.5 in).
Is the Lortone 33B worth it over the 3A?
For most people, yes. The 33B costs modestly more and lets you run two batches at once, run two stages in parallel, or keep soft stones separate from hard ones. Buy the 3A only if your rough supply is small or space is tight. Our upcoming double barrel rock tumbler guide compares other twins.
How much grit does a Lortone 3 lb barrel need?
Lortone's 3A manual calls for 4 level tablespoons each of 60/90 and 120/220 silicon carbide, then 6 tablespoons each of aluminum oxide pre-polish and polish. The 33B/45C manual gives 4 to 6 tablespoons for the two polish stages.
Do Lortone tumblers need oiling?
The motor doesn't, according to Lortone, and it's normal for it to run hot. The shaft bearings get one drop of oil every 30 days.
Where are Lortone tumblers made?
Lortone says its equipment is made in the Northwest using U.S. and foreign parts.
Verdict
The Lortone 33B is the best Lortone rock tumbler for most people: two barrels, a proven motor and the clearest instructions in the hobby. The 3A is the right buy if you want a single, compact, hobby-grade machine. Step up to the QT-66 when you're consistently filling two barrels and want bigger batches.