billg22
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 451
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Post by billg22 on May 12, 2014 15:32:00 GMT -5
Just wondering if anyone else has had problems with the Lortone QT-66 belt slipping on the motor pulley? It's a two year old QT-66. I even drilled out the holes where the motor attaches to the frame so I can get more tension on the belt. It also seems that the bar that rotates the barrel will not grip the barrel. Do the belts stretch? I've cleaned the pulley to make sure that oil wasn't the problem. My other QT-66 is over 20 years old and is running great. Help!!!
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Post by Jugglerguy on May 12, 2014 16:08:26 GMT -5
My belt was slipping, so I adjusted the motor to tighten it and it's been great ever since. I've had it running for about a year and a half. I'd try changing the belt if I was you.
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on May 12, 2014 16:35:55 GMT -5
I agree with Jugglerguy, I had a similar issue and wound up changing the belt and have had no issues since then!
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on May 13, 2014 9:39:52 GMT -5
Agreed .... belts do stretch and you likely have a bad belt. Take the belt/pulley cover off and start the tumbler with barrels on the shafts. Put a hand on the barrels and try to stop the rotation. Do this carefully with the palm of the hand oriented towards the machines downward rotation side. If the barrels stop and the drive pulley and the motor is still going, slipping inside the belt, time for a new belt.
You mentioned the shaft not gripping the barrel. If the belt is slipping it could look like that. Being only 2 years old I don't think the shaft would be worn out. It could be dirty or glazed, soap and water and a light sanding would cure that.
I don't run mine with the cover on anymore. I found the belt was dragging on the cover and had a bunch of chewed up plastic all in there.
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billg22
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 451
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Post by billg22 on May 13, 2014 16:56:29 GMT -5
Strange thing is that the belts are not that old. I'll buy a couple more and give the barrel shaft a good cleaning and maybe rough up the barrels with some sand paper.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on May 13, 2014 18:55:56 GMT -5
I had the same thing happen but in my case it was the motor.
I cleaned the pulleys, replaced the belt, drilled out the holes to tighten and in the end it was the motor going.
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billg22
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 451
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Post by billg22 on May 19, 2014 13:29:01 GMT -5
After working on my QT-66 this weekend, I now have a QT-6. It just won't run with the two barrels. I guess one barrel is better than none.
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on May 20, 2014 9:38:00 GMT -5
After working on my QT-66 this weekend, I now have a QT-6. It just won't run with the two barrels. I guess one barrel is better than none. That makes me wonder: How much does a new motor cost for the QT series of tumblers?
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on May 21, 2014 10:25:47 GMT -5
Yup. Starting to sound more and more like a new motor is in order. 55 to 72 dollars depending on the seller.
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on May 21, 2014 12:45:17 GMT -5
I looked at the Rock Shed, they're $54.00, but out of stock. So the only option left is EBay, and they are $72.00 plus shipping. So I guess in this case, one must weight the wear and tear on the frame, rods, bearings, and barrels, with the cost of a new motor versus replacing the whole tumbler. I believe the typical life span of a Lortone tumbler is 2 years, but I could be mistaken.
I have a couple old 3A's, with the gold hammer-tone finish. I replaced the motor and cord one of them, because I feel the metal and finish back then was of better quality than what is offered these days. I don't use my vintage 3A units much, so I'm sure that has helped extend their useful life considerably.
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billg22
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 451
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Post by billg22 on May 30, 2014 14:23:17 GMT -5
My next step will be building my own tumbler. I'll just build it around all the barrels I have. The RTH archive have tons of great ideas on tumblers.
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Jun 4, 2014 11:33:41 GMT -5
Building your own may be the best way to go, if you can't afford to buy a commercial-grade unit.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Jun 4, 2014 23:37:38 GMT -5
Building your own may well end you up with a better than a commercial unit, and at less cost.
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