zrock1
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2016
Posts: 24
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Post by zrock1 on Feb 14, 2016 1:44:46 GMT -5
I bought my little one a mp-1 tumbler for xmas. We have had it running for about 8 weeks now just finishing up the second batch. I just noticed today during cleaning getting ready for polish that on the bottom of the barrel is starting to crack. Right in the middle where it looks like the injection point for the molding process. The barrel seems to get a slight vacume in it so this point is seeing a lot of flex? Think a rubber patch for tire repair would seal this up if put on the outside? Don't want to buy a new barrel already at about $40+ at my local hobby shop. I'll just by a diffrent tumbler if this is not going to last more than 2 months at a time.
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Post by vegasjames on Feb 14, 2016 5:53:51 GMT -5
Maybe try sealing it with rubber spray paint.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Feb 14, 2016 8:08:33 GMT -5
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on Feb 14, 2016 9:16:12 GMT -5
@arock1, I've used Shoe-Goo and a pieces of tire inner tube cut to fit to line a pvc barrel with and it's done an admirable job of holding the liner in place. I figure that the shoe good will stick even better in a rubber-to-rubber match up. Cut a piece of inner tube large enough to cover the area...I'd cut it almost the same size as the end of the barrel... (tire shops should have scrap tubes laying around but you might have to find one that does farm or industrial tires. Scuff up the end of the barrel pretty good with some sandpaper to a dull-looking finish. Then wash well with Dawn dish washing detergent or something of the like. Do the same thing to the piece of inner tube that you cut. Smear the Shoe-Goo on both pieces...the barrel and the piece of inner tube. Let sit for a minute and then stick together, pressing from the center to push air bubbles out towards the edge. If you have somewhere warm, verging on being hot you could sit the barrel there...seems to help with curing. I actually set a pvc end cap in front of a space heater (far enough away so no danger of getting to hot but close enough to get it nice and warm) and left it over night...it worked nicely. I've used them to fix tennis shoes that had blow-outs and just the other day loaded a tube to a friend to fix a leak in a pair of rubber boots...worked great for him. Just be sure things are nice and dry and give the repair 2-3 days to cure good...I think they say it cures quicker than that but the longer cure time the better. Don't use sealant or patches on the inside of your barrel as this will give places for grit to hide and contaminate later/finer stages of polishing. Also, if there are any cracks showing inside the barrel you might have a problem there with hiding places for grit. Just saying... And...while you're at the tire shop you might just show them what you've got and see what they think of using a regular patch on it. Before you do anything to the barrel you might want to contact Thumbler and tell them about the problem...they might (or might not) replace the barrel for you...the barrel really should last for longer than you've been using it...they're normally pretty durable. Best wishes.
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Post by manofglass on Feb 14, 2016 9:23:41 GMT -5
Just replace it with PVC pipe with a all plastic test plug
Walt
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Post by captbob on Feb 14, 2016 9:59:05 GMT -5
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Post by manofglass on Feb 14, 2016 10:16:38 GMT -5
PVC is cheaper
Walt
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Feb 14, 2016 10:20:11 GMT -5
Tell it Walt.
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Post by captbob on Feb 14, 2016 10:25:28 GMT -5
Did you look at the link?
Not so sure how anyone could make a PVC barrel less than 4 inches long. Not from what I've seen of the homemade PVC barrels posted here anyway.
Maybe our resident mad scientist Dr. James could MacGyver one, but Ed's Shoe-Goo may be a more realistic fix.
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Post by manofglass on Feb 14, 2016 10:29:15 GMT -5
Cut the pvc on the wood lathe you can make them any size you want
Walt
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on Feb 14, 2016 10:47:07 GMT -5
Walt, it's doable I would imagine, but I'd contact Thumler first. One thing you have to be aware of with pvc barrels is that caps and fitting add length. If the span of the shafts on MP-1 is, say 5 inches, then a pvc cap will add probably two inches of length so you have to allow for that...I would think capacity would be diminished due to the dome end of the pvc cap versus the flat end of the barrel. You would also have to get a bushing and cut in half to slide on (and glue) the open end of the barrel to physically level the barrel up. You're talking a few dollars for a bushing, cap, and inspection cap...nearing the cost of a new barrel. You can get an MP-1 barrel with lid and ring for $16 plus shippig at the Rock Shed basically as cheap as the fittings... www.therockshed.com/partsthumlers.htmlEd
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Feb 14, 2016 11:01:35 GMT -5
Lortone barrels are made of rubber. Best barrel mass produced IMHPHDO.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Feb 14, 2016 11:04:48 GMT -5
Do contact Thumbler and get them to replace it.
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Post by manofglass on Feb 14, 2016 11:08:47 GMT -5
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Post by captbob on Feb 14, 2016 11:14:02 GMT -5
That link says that this is a TWO pound tumbler and the barrel is 3 inches high (long).
Just don't see making something this short from PVC.
all I was sayin'
Also says a replacement barrel is only 15 bucks - plus shipping I s'pose
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Post by manofglass on Feb 14, 2016 11:16:45 GMT -5
Don't have to make it now he can buy a new one
walt
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
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Post by jamesp on Feb 14, 2016 11:38:37 GMT -5
Price is right.
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zrock1
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2016
Posts: 24
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Post by zrock1 on Feb 14, 2016 19:25:19 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies... I'm going to be calling them in the morning but I'm not holding my breath since I emailed them 3 weeks ago on another issue with 0 response. .. unfortunately all the good deals on barrels are in the USA and I'm in canada so I'm looking at $40+ to get a barrel. I'll just order a lortone instead...
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zrock1
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2016
Posts: 24
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Post by zrock1 on Feb 15, 2016 19:41:41 GMT -5
I see them returning phone calls is going to be as quick as their reply to my email!
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johnnymac1969
starting to spend too much on rocks
I Like A Rolling Stone
Member since January 2016
Posts: 139
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Post by johnnymac1969 on Feb 15, 2016 23:13:46 GMT -5
I feel your pain. I bought an inexpensive tumbler (made out of blow-molded plastic) for my daughter this Christmas. It lasted about a month before it started to break apart. I have since invested in a Lortone 33B and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. If it's within your budget, I would also recommend buying at least 2 more barrels, one for each stage of grit/polish.
Good luck and happy tumbling!
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