Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Wooferhound on Dec 26, 2017 17:33:43 GMT -5
I got my first tumbler on Christmas Eve a year ago. I thought I had ordered a QT12 and was very surprised when I opened the package to find a small Lortone 3A machine. After realizing my mistake I got rocks rolling in it right away. Had a small amount of trouble getting that first polish but You Guys were very helpful and I had dazzling reflections in a short time. Got considerably interested in the hobby and bought a Lortone QT66 three months later. Now-a-days there are plenty of shiny rocks to admire and decorate with.
That first tumbler has been rolling almost continuously since the first day that I got it, with a coupla weeks off during the Summer when I was running low on rocks, trying not to let that happen again. Over the last month or two it has been having trouble spinning the barrel, then today after doing cleanouts it was having trouble spinning the drive shaft so I decided to refurbish it.
Took the cover off and noticed that the rubber belt was turning to powder and sticking all over the inside of the case. Removed both shafts with the bearings and cleaned them with alcohol. Wiped out the black powder that came from the worn belt. Oiled the motor and shaft bearings. Replaced the belt with one of my 2 new spares then put it all back together.
Now it is working like a new tumbler, but I didn't do much cleaning. I am not the cleanest person so it still looks well used. Ready for the next year. Now it's almost time to do the same thing to the QT66.
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Post by youp50 on Dec 26, 2017 22:43:34 GMT -5
I hope you oil the shaft bushings more than once a year. I over oil at a drop or two every cleanout. Your manual will tell you lortones recommendation. I recall monthly. My recall is far from total...
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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 Dec 27, 2017 0:09:08 GMT -5
Lortone recommends 1 drop of Light Oil on every bearing, once a month. I try to do about what they say. Have had some blowouts that may have messed it up a bit.
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Dec 29, 2017 3:37:16 GMT -5
Lortone recommends 1 drop of Light Oil on every bearing, once a month. I try to do about what they say. Have had some blowouts that may have messed it up a bit. That's one thing about the Lortone barrels I don't care for, when they blow out. Sometimes, they warp. I have had a lot of those experiences. So far, I am liking the metal barrel on the Thumler's Model B. I may opt for a Lortone C20 when I have the budget. That way, I can save my Covington for special projects.
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