Raytech "smart" rt-2 rotary tumbler

I was recently @ a Lapidary shop. On the counter there was this Rayteck Tumbler.. Reytech is a division of Lyman.. Made in Conn.
I told him I was familiar with Lyman. with Reloading. . He said this was not a Reloading tumbler but used for metal finishing. i said I would tumble brass .
He gave me a Demo:
Capacity 7 lb., sealed poly carbonate drum, Muli speed From 10% to 100%. auto Reverse. Time delay and timer in Minuets, all Heay cast metal frame with covered Vinyl.
The 100% speed empty is almost Double of The thumler Hi speed model. Easy to use . suitable for Pims, Ceramics, beads and medis
all stainless steel rollers.
enclosed Photo

Looks expensive.

I was thinking the same thing. $$$$

so what was the cost, or were you afraid to ask :mrgreen:

https://www.amazon.com/Raytech-23074.../dp/B071X8RKQ1 $388

Looks like a nice unit. The clear drum would allow seeing where the parts are *** far as finish. Wonder how long until it scuffs or clouds up. It also appears all 4 rollers are drives not 2 drives and 2 idlers.

Since the guy said it was a Demo. I paid a little under $200.00. I have been running this for 2 days straight with a handfull of cases @ 50% speed with 10min Intervals Forward & reverse. using walnut media
It has not missed a beat
The instruction state Dry media should be 50 % +
pins @ 20-30%
abrasive @10%

Very similar to one I bought from China, same clear tumbler and the only differences to the base are mine has two rotary knobs for speed and time, a toothed belt for the drive (this appears to use an O-ring?) and mine is painted (the vinyl probably covers a fairly ordinary paint job). I would doubt it's Made in USA - but they're still a nice little unit. Mine is showing signs of clouding on the clear tumbler, but that's to be expected.

When I spoke to Raytech service. they said all rayteck equipment is assembled in Conn. On my Model he said The motor was made in Taiwan But the rest is made in US Opening the under carriage , It has aHeavy cast allumium and Circuit boards
the motor is 1900 Rpm with stainless steel bearing.

Well, if that is the case then one would have to assume that this model is the one the Chinese used to make their models from. Mine has what appears to be a cast alloy chassis (it's actually fairly hard as I had to grind off a couple of rough bits on the bottom) and fitting mechanical controls, rather than electronic as in yours, would of course simplify things and keep the costs down. It's definitely not as well finished as yours.

The tumbler on mine certainly looks the same, right down to the orange bands around the edge.

What is required to open the drum?

The drum Open on the side with a stainless steel Locking lever. . The cap is clear with an Oring seal.
I compared it to the Chinese made models. of the same size. The chinese model has a Gross weight empty of about 9 pounds
The Raytech Gross weight empty is 22 Lb's
both have a drum capacity of 7 lb's

I don't think I'd like a plastic (poly carbonate) drum. Overtime will the drum get brittle? Or become opaque? How will chemicals do in the drum; all the additives guys use with their media?

Looks nice though and I like the design overall...

I don't Know . My other tumblers have rubber drums and Thumler Type