mgroothuis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2022
Posts: 163
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Post by mgroothuis on Apr 12, 2023 20:13:18 GMT -5
Both my QT12 and QT66 lids are extremely tight lately and very, very difficult to remove. Prying with the washer literally mars both the washer and the edge of the lid. Tonight, I actually broke skin in my finger trying to push and twist the washer. It almost acts as if it's glued closed. Is there another method of opening Lortone lids that doesn't hurt anything? Maybe something I can do to make them not so sticky? I've tried scrubbing both the lid and the barrel with soap and a scouring pad just to clean it thoroughly.
Pretty frustrating. Thanks.
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,595
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Post by dillonf on Apr 12, 2023 20:20:09 GMT -5
I have the same issue with my lids.
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Post by manofglass on Apr 12, 2023 20:21:50 GMT -5
Try a little grease
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Post by aDave on Apr 13, 2023 2:30:31 GMT -5
I'd love to be able to help, but I've not had the issues that you have had. I simply use the washer and do the "push (the edge of the washer into the side of the barrel) and twist" sort of thing that you have been doing. That's always worked for me, no matter how tight things were.
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rollinrox
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2023
Posts: 3
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Post by rollinrox on Apr 13, 2023 5:27:47 GMT -5
In my experience, if I leave them out in the sun they tighten up. I have 5 barrels and make sure the other 3 do not stay in the sun as 2 have tightened up.
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mgroothuis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2022
Posts: 163
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Post by mgroothuis on Apr 13, 2023 7:45:38 GMT -5
I've thought of it, silicone grease, but I wasn't sure if there'd be any adverse effects of getting it into the rocks when dumping the slurry. Grease has a way of getting everywhere.
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chris1956
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2022
Posts: 1,258
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Post by chris1956 on Apr 13, 2023 8:13:19 GMT -5
After breaking a couple fingernails, I started using the washer. I try to push it in as much as I can and twist in several different points around the lid. Seems to work.
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lordsorril
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 766
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Post by lordsorril on Apr 13, 2023 11:13:07 GMT -5
I just use an old kitchen spoon and once you 'break the seal' it is easy to lift the lid off.
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 13, 2023 15:28:36 GMT -5
We have gotten more than one estate tumbler complete with abandoned load that had the lid firmly attached. I fire up the compressor, and after rinsing off if needed I start using the blow gun to loosen stuff. When it starts to look like it's getting ready to open I keep a shop rag over the lid so when the pressure makes it to the interior and lifts the lid I don't get slurried. Elizabeth put a light coat of vaseline on her barrels back when we still had the lortone and Thumler barrels.
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Apr 15, 2023 6:48:18 GMT -5
Don't screw the lid down too tight.
There are 2 lids . . . The inner lid that seals the barrel,I will call it the -Seal- The Outer metal lid that holds it all together, I will call it the -Lid-
When you push the Seal down into the barrel, it is not holding it's self in place and can easily be pulled out if you grab the threaded rod in thr center and just pull,
It all gets Locked together when you add the outer Lid. The edges of the Lid are Tapered/Angled. So when you tighten the Knerlled Nut it pulls the inner Seal up into the tapered Lid and it is all wedged together preventing it from popping open while tumbling.
If it is all tightened too much then it will get really wedged together (a wedgie), preventing it from comming apart easily.
Maybe , don't tighten it too much before tumbling -or- When you try opening the barrel, use a tool to push Down the threaded Rod on the Seal which will release the wedge making everything come apart easily.
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Post by Pat on Apr 15, 2023 7:45:00 GMT -5
Hmmmm… call Lortone. Good luck!
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mgroothuis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2022
Posts: 163
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Post by mgroothuis on Apr 15, 2023 18:23:05 GMT -5
Don't screw the lid down too tight. There are 2 lids . . . The inner lid that seals the barrel,I will call it the -Seal- The Outer metal lid that holds it all together, I will call it the -Lid- When you push the Seal down into the barrel, it is not holding it's self in place and can easily be pulled out if you grab the threaded rod in thr center and just pull, It all gets Locked together when you add the outer Lid. The edges of the Lid are Tapered/Angled. So when you tighten the Knerlled Nut it pulls the inner Seal up into the tapered Lid and it is all wedged together preventing it from popping open while tumbling. If it is all tightened too much then it will get really wedged together (a wedgie), preventing it from comming apart easily. Maybe , don't tighten it too much before tumbling -or- When you try opening the barrel, use a tool to push Down the threaded Rod on the Seal which will release the wedge making everything come apart easily. I’ll have to try both of these as an experiment…thanks!
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keiths
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2021
Posts: 22
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Post by keiths on Apr 16, 2023 18:01:54 GMT -5
I've always used the washer to push between the barrel lip and the lid, then twist. It usually works just fine on the first attempt. I have noticed that after many times doing this, sharp burrs develop on the edge of the metal lid. These burrs seem to leave a silver ring on the tumbler rollers, which may be indicative of potential extra wear on the roller rubber sleeves? Periodically, I use a fine bastard file to lightly remove the burrs.
When mounting the internal lid in the barrel, I use the rounded blunt end of a toothbrush to quickly go around the lid pushing down while pressuring the barrel lip outward. My theory is that this removes any tension between the lid and the barrel which might give an upward force on the lid (more potential to develop a leak).
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mgroothuis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2022
Posts: 163
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Post by mgroothuis on Apr 19, 2023 11:37:54 GMT -5
Being in the die-cast car business, I found a "tool" that works so much better. A 1:64 van makes a good handle and no longer digs into my fingers like the washer. You can actually see how much the washer was damaging the edge of the lid because it was so tight. Problem solved.
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Post by Bob on Apr 30, 2023 22:56:21 GMT -5
Until a new barrel and lid is broken in--3-6 months--a bit of silicon spray or grease helps.
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