jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Aug 7, 2017 9:42:19 GMT -5
You can listen closely to the motor when putting power to it, for a minute buzzing sound. Most motor problems are in the starting circuit. Not always, but often. Give the shaft a spin with power on it. It may decide to work.
Chuck has it right, start with motor and work down the line. Gotta have an operational motor.
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lookatthat
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Post by lookatthat on Aug 7, 2017 10:12:49 GMT -5
OK, so I should take off the belt (any special instructions with that?), take off the bowl, and see what, if anything happens.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Aug 7, 2017 10:19:53 GMT -5
OK, so I should take off the belt (any special instructions with that?), take off the bowl, and see what, if anything happens. The belt just rolls off the side of either pulley . Don't worry about breaking the belt , probably dried and needs to be replaced anyway . With the belt off , plug it in and see if the motor starts . If it does , try turning the shaft the bowl sits over to see if that spins free .
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lookatthat
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Post by lookatthat on Aug 7, 2017 10:27:46 GMT -5
Should I be able to spin the shaft by hand with the motor not plugged in?
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Post by wigglinrocks on Aug 7, 2017 10:38:37 GMT -5
Should I be able to spin the shaft by hand with the motor not plugged in? The shaft where the bowl sits should spin free with the belt off . Motor shaft should also be able to be turned with it unplugged .
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Post by johnjsgems on Aug 7, 2017 10:54:38 GMT -5
I can email you the instructions if you PM me your email. The motors are generally from Graingers and there will be a motor number (like 3M565 or something). If you are mechanical enough to modify the motor you can save a lot. Generally just a matter of cutting off motor shaft and maybe a mount screw. I'm making the largest (model C) model for now but do use a B model too with one extra bowl. They must be fully loaded to work properly. I have some rubber matting I use under the tumblers to keep them from walking. I use the high speed for rocks and low speed for metal. I have been running a C model to debur and smooth out the smaller castings for my Cut Above saws and it works really well. They are "fast and economical". The B uses one teaspoon of grit and polish and starting with 220 stat to finish is 7 days. Like vibe tumblers in general they won't make rounded pebbles.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 7, 2017 16:17:15 GMT -5
Anybody on here actually use this type of tumbler? I have one, bought new in Q, then not even used for about five years. I do my rough tumbles (30 grit) in rotaries, then move them to the Gy-roc B. In the rotaries, I subscribe to the jamesp method, adding grit every few days, without doing any cleanouts. I adjust the slurry thickness as necessary. (Just started both of them up Friday, need to add more 30 grit today.) I'll pull a few out from time to time, to gauge their progress.
When nicely rounded (could take 2 or 3 months, depending), I'll leave them go for another week or so, letting all the broken down 30 grit break down to a pre-polish consistency. Then into the Gy-roc they go, with nothing finer then 400 grit, which I also let break down for a bit at the end. Have started using just the low speed, was getting some chipping on high that I could do without (not to mention the racket high speed makes!). When pretty darn shiny, I put them into the dedicated polish bowl, and have been using some old cerium oxide polish.
Whadaya think?
Some jamesp coral
CA corals to the left, CA stromatolites in the center
The entire second batch (After 40+ year tumbling hiatus). Most are from the nearby desert.
Took photos of that batch, uploaded them, but never posted them. I have since finished a third batch. Have not yet made the time to take photos, but they are every bit as shiny as these.
A word of caution - keep an eye on the pulley below the motor to make sure the belts run true. I have never stacked bowls, but the weight of the second batch caused the springs to collapse a bit, dropping the motor height. This caused the o-ring/drive belt to wear flat as it rode at an angle across the face on the two-step pulley. I had to loosen the set screw on the motor pulley, and adjust it up so it was moving 100% level. And replaced the o-ring as well.
My advice, get that Gy-roc working, you will really enjoy using it.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Aug 7, 2017 17:10:04 GMT -5
Not the first batch you have Gy-Roc'ed to a mirror shine rockpickerforever. Not many rocks that you work that don't end up nothing but exceptional. Those wind blown desert rocks are great candidates for the tumbler. Not bad for 40 year reprieve. It is agreed that you have a serious memory.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Aug 7, 2017 18:49:50 GMT -5
And I thought you were just a gold hound . That is one seriously sweet batch of rocks . The tumbling hiatus sure didn't effect the shine on those . Eat your heart out lot o users .
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 8, 2017 4:13:12 GMT -5
And I thought you were just a gold hound . That is one seriously sweet batch of rocks . The tumbling hiatus sure didn't effect the shine on those . Eat your heart out lot o users . Oh, but I am multi-talented! I have abused rocks in more ways than you can shake a stick at - slicing, dicing, cabbing, wire wrapping, making spheres on a flat lap, and, of course, tumbling. Thank you for the compliment. I'll have to get pics taken and posted of the latest batch to roll and shake.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 8, 2017 4:27:08 GMT -5
Not the first batch you have Gy-Roc'ed to a mirror shine rockpickerforever . Not many rocks that you work that don't end up nothing but exceptional. Those wind blown desert rocks are great candidates for the tumbler. Not bad for 40 year reprieve. It is agreed that you have a serious memory. Thank you, James. No, actually that's the second. Of course, I didn't have the Gy-roc 40 years ago when I first started tumbling. Strictly rotary, just a small double barrel Star Diamond tumbler from Sears! We're talking like 1969. No mirror finish on those rocks. Only dipped my toes in the water, didn't go whole hog in my rockly pursuits like now. Didn't last long, lost interest after a while, like most kids do. Still have the old tumbler!
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Aug 8, 2017 6:26:26 GMT -5
And I thought you were just a gold hound . That is one seriously sweet batch of rocks . The tumbling hiatus sure didn't effect the shine on those . Eat your heart out lot o users . Don't let Jean fool you, the girl is a master lapidarian.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Aug 8, 2017 8:13:53 GMT -5
And I thought you were just a gold hound . That is one seriously sweet batch of rocks . The tumbling hiatus sure didn't effect the shine on those . Eat your heart out lot o users . Don't let Jean fool you, the girl is a master lapidarian. Knew there were secrets she wasn't lettin on . Doesn't do a bunch of braggin and then BAM where did that come from .
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Aug 8, 2017 8:20:38 GMT -5
Don't let Jean fool you, the girl is a master lapidarian. Knew there were secrets she wasn't lettin on . Doesn't do a bunch of braggin and then BAM where did that come from . A true sleeper. Then comes the shock. I have some cabs of hers, in my safest stash location. Incredible workmanship. Lotsa talent.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Aug 8, 2017 8:32:04 GMT -5
Knew there were secrets she wasn't lettin on . Doesn't do a bunch of braggin and then BAM where did that come from . A true sleeper. Then comes the shock. I have some cabs of hers, in my safest stash location. Incredible workmanship. Lotsa talent. Another case of the more ya brag the less ya got . Like those tiny little bottles of yellow specks she teases us with , drop in the bucket .
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lookatthat
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Post by lookatthat on Aug 8, 2017 8:53:32 GMT -5
Oooh, pretty! AND you did stromatolites!
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lookatthat
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Member since May 2017
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Post by lookatthat on Aug 8, 2017 8:56:54 GMT -5
Good news! I did as instructed, and the motor DOES run, but won't spin unless hand-started. Is it much of a job to replace the starter? My father thinks he can fix it if I can get the part(s). Also a friend of his is a mechanical genius, so if Dad can't fix it, probably Rick can.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Aug 8, 2017 9:18:21 GMT -5
Not an electrical guru but I would recommend having the motor rebuilt . If it is an older model , the motor will have ball bearings instead of the newer sleeve bearings . Just my opinion , would be worth the rebuild . Depending on price of course .
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Aug 8, 2017 9:48:34 GMT -5
Good news! I did as instructed, and the motor DOES run, but won't spin unless hand-started. Is it much of a job to replace the starter? My father thinks he can fix it if I can get the part(s). Also a friend of his is a mechanical genius, so if Dad can't fix it, probably Rick can. Can you post the name plate. HP/RPM/Voltage/etc. Will look it up and see if it has a starter circuit. I doubt it, it should be a 1/10 or 1/20th HP and has no starter circuit. If it was buzzing before you helped it spin it could have sticky bearings. If that is the case it may be oil able but not likely for longevity as those probably have self lub bearings and wigglin is right, rebuild or replacement. Bet johnjsgems can tell you off the hip. Probably a single shaft 1/20 HP like this Never seen it, but this looks like a 1/20 HP with capacitor start. wigglinrocks, does yours have a capacitor attached like this
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Post by coloradocliff on Aug 8, 2017 10:10:30 GMT -5
And I thought you were just a gold hound . That is one seriously sweet batch of rocks . The tumbling hiatus sure didn't effect the shine on those . Eat your heart out lot o users . Don't let Jean fool you, the girl is a master lapidarian. You didn't have to tell the world rockpickerforever 's private secrets jamesp grin..
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