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Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 13, 2018 23:09:43 GMT -5
I picked up a Lortone QT12 base several years ago at the swap meet for the princely sum of $3. However, it was barrel-less. jamesp remedied this situation for me, by giving me a used barrel. Thank you, James! (You know how he likes to make his own barrels, good for me!) Before I learned how to properly close the barrel, I had a couple leaks. But once that task was mastered, no problems since.
I have been running coarse grit (30) in the QT12 for the last couple of years. In addition, I use a Scott-Murray tumbler that mohs gave in 2013. (Did a thread on the total refurb of that tumbler - forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/58090/refurbed-scott-murray-tumbler ) It is currently running some material from a field trip to Lavic last month, and some other miscellaneous rocks. With rock additions made over the coarse grind, my tumbler runs pretty much end up being a hodge-podge of rocks from different locations. Without actually looking in the tumbler and washing some off, I don't even remember what I have put in there so far!
Last week, the QT12 started freezing up on me and stopping. The idler roller got some 30 grit in it at some point (I did it, my bad), wearing down the ends of the shafts and destroying the plastic bushings.
30 grit will purely tear up your plastic bushings!
And eat the ends of the roller shafts
This is the idler shaft, it got to where it would hardly turn. That kind of resistance can make your motor overheat, darn tootin'.
Took it apart, turned the bushings over (put scratches on top of shaft) and put some grease in it. Stop-gap measure, that only allowed it to work for less than another day. We were going to do a fix on it like we did with the Scott-Murray, adding aluminum blocks on the outside of the frame so as to use real bearings. Pretty much had to do that fix, since the Scott/Murray shafts had worn into the sheet metal, see below.
Scott-Murray. This one had been running wild for some time, lol.
What we had to do to fix the Scott-Murray
Back to the QT12. Knowing that fabricating two aluminum blocks for real bearings was going to take awhile - and in the middle of a coarse run! - we decided to just buy new bushings and shafts. Besides, the QT12 shafts did not oblong the holes in the sheet metal.
Had considered making the shafts, but since I was going to buy the bushings from Shawn at the Rock Shed, we went ahead and bought the shafts as well. Could not even come close to making them for what Rock Shed sells them for, less than ten bucks each. And so much quicker! I absolutely had to have the bushings and shafts, so ordered them. Cost for those was less than $28 plus shipping. But wait, there's more!
Since I was going to order, I decided to go ahead and pick up a couple more things. Spare belt...
Grooved knurled nut to close barrel and bracket (mine never had these!) to keep it from wandering. (not wondering, lol)
Ready to reassemble. Frame stripped down, bare nekkid.
Bracket installed
Rollers installed
Motor, pulley, belt and cover installed.
Knurled nut riding in bracket
Both tumblers burning electricity! The Scott/Murray has a tad larger capacity. 15 lbs to the Lortone's 12.
I have been adding a cup of 30 grit every 3 or 4 days. When rocks are approaching satisfactory roundness, I will let the tumblers run for another week or so to let all the grit break down. I will move them on to 80 or 220 as needed, depending on what the rocks are, staying in the rotaries. Then will move to 400 or finer in the gyroc vibe, and finally polish. Have been using Cerium Oxide for polish, have been happy with it.
Replacing bushings and roller shafts is easy to do, inexpensive and good maintenance for your QT12. It will run better, putting less strain on your n motor.
Now that I've already done it, I have a question for any Lortone owners - Do you use oil (3 in 1) or a light grease in the bushings? Wheel bearing grease, lithium, silicon, molly, graphite? Lortone says to use oil, so that's what I used.
Kudos to Shawn at The Rock Shed! I ordered the parts to make the repairs Thursday afternoon, and they (and 4 tootsie rolls!) arrived in Mondays mail! Five years ago, I had purchased a liner for the Scott-Murray (same as Thumler Model B) from The Rock Shed as well. I have been very happy with their merchandise selection, prices and quick service.
I would highly recommend them to anybody with tumbler needs.
Thanks for looking. Jean
PS - In case you were wondering, rather than dump out and do a cleanout on the QT12 barrel, I put it on the Scott-Murray frame, and rolled it for 24 hours. Then put the S-M barrel on for 24 hours, etc. Kept 'em both from solidifying!
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Post by gmitch067 on Mar 14, 2018 1:14:49 GMT -5
I use 3-in-1 oil - one small drop on each bushing - every time I do a grit change or refresh (usually 7-10 days).
Good write-up on your repairs... easy to follow.
Thank you.
Glenn
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Post by mohs on Mar 14, 2018 9:09:10 GMT -5
Hi Jean did you switch out the motor on SM?
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 14, 2018 9:30:18 GMT -5
3-in-1 also. Probably not as often as I should. Nice write up. Made it look 'so easy, even a caveman could do it.' Now we just need to see some shiny rocks!
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Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 14, 2018 9:36:26 GMT -5
Hi Jean did you switch out the motor on SM? Nope, still running strong! It even still has the spliced on power cord, never got around to replacing it. My motto is, if it works, just leave it the hell alone, lol. Thanks, Ed.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 14, 2018 10:00:37 GMT -5
3-in-1 also. Probably not as often as I should. Nice write up. Made it look 'so easy, even a caveman could do it.' Now we just need to see some shiny rocks! Thanks, Randy. It was easy, but those things are so simple. It's not rock-et science. Any kind of mechanical stuff just comes easy to me. I used a bit more than a few drops of oil when assembling, but just to make sure it was protected. Wiped it all clean when finished, and will use sparingly for maintenance. Too much attracts dirt and bad stuff. Maybe underdoing it better than overdoing it? Spilling 30 grit SiC down into it really about the worst thing you can do. I recall when I did it. I was in a hurry one day, and instead of stopping right then and there and taking it apart, I just brushed at it with papertowel and let it go. Big mistake! Won't be so lazy next time. Yes, shiny rocks. I still have photos from two previous batches I haven't posted. Limited time right now, job hunting. Posting this thread about the most time I've spent online in a while. Will try to get those up for you as time allows. Shiny rocks better than photo skills.
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Mar 14, 2018 11:23:49 GMT -5
I've found that the barrel guide bracket works better if the flange is mounted underneath the frame's top rail. Just a thought.
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Post by mohs on Mar 14, 2018 15:32:08 GMT -5
Hi Jean did you switch out the motor on SM? Nope, still running strong! It even still has the spliced on power cord, never got around to replacing it. My motto is, if it works, just leave it the hell alone, lol. Thanks, Ed. wow jean we can assume that was the original motor and we know those bearing, rods, rubber, were toast lots of rolling strong little beastie
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darrad
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,636
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Post by darrad on Mar 14, 2018 17:17:06 GMT -5
Nice job, I need to do mine it has been stalling. Question- did you use a special tool to get those retaining rings on the ends of the shafts off and on?
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Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 14, 2018 17:27:24 GMT -5
wow jean we can assume that was the original motor and we know those bearing, rods, rubber, were toast lots of rolling strong little beastie Yes, I think that is a safe assumption, Ed. Although we replaced the roller shafts and coverings when we refurbed the S-M, the plastic tubing is in need of replacing on it now. Will tackle that AFTER the current run is completed, not in the middle of it, lol.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 14, 2018 17:30:03 GMT -5
Nice job, I need to do mine it has been stalling. Question- did you use a special tool to get those retaining rings on the ends of the shafts off and on? Used a medium sized screwdriver to pop them off, twisting it between the shaft and the underside of the clip. Take care not to bend them. If they do get bent, The Rock Shed sells them.
Putting them back on, I just pushed them into place as much as I could, then used a pair of pliers to squeeze them all the way into place.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 14, 2018 17:33:23 GMT -5
I've found that the barrel guide bracket works better if the flange is mounted underneath the frame's top rail. Just a thought. After realizing what you are saying, I can see the benefit of that - lowering the bottom of the slot just a little bit, maybe allowing it to turn more freely. Since I had not seen how the bracket was installed, I just put it on top of the frame.
Will go ahead and change that. Thanks, unclesoska!
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Mar 14, 2018 18:32:18 GMT -5
I've found that the barrel guide bracket works better if the flange is mounted underneath the frame's top rail. Just a thought. After realizing what you are saying, I can see the benefit of that - lowering the bottom of the slot just a little bit, maybe allowing it to turn more freely. Since I had not seen how the bracket was installed, I just put it on top of the frame.
Will go ahead and change that. Thanks, unclesoska!
I've never seen a brand new one, and all the ones I've rebuilt had it mounted like you did. The guide always wore quickly, and then one day it hit me to try it underneath and Viola, another lesson learned.
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Post by aDave on Mar 15, 2018 20:13:46 GMT -5
I've found that the barrel guide bracket works better if the flange is mounted underneath the frame's top rail. Just a thought. Good point. That is the way the bracket is supposed to be. Jean rockpickerforever, as far as lube, I'm going to deviate from the norm that has been posted here. 3-in-1 was my go to lube. But I've also had the benefit of using different gun lubes on my Lortones. As it stands now, I use Slip 2000 for all of my rotary tumblers. Not saying this is better than another lube (like 3 in 1), but I've really been happy with this stuff as a lubricant. I can't offer anything other than it seems I can go longer between lube recharges. Noise is my measure, and the 3 in 1 doesn't seem to last as long as what I am using now. Of course that's subjective. YMMV.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 16, 2018 0:04:03 GMT -5
Thanks for your input, Dave aDave . I had done a Google search on RTH, to see what people were using. Seems folks were using a variety of lubricants, from thinner 3-in-1 oil, to thicker greases. I've got a pretty good selection to choose from here at home. Decided to find out what Lortone recommended. They said to use a thin oil, so that's what I went with on these new roller shafts and plastic bushings. It's actually what I have been using since the start. I'm sure the gun oils are good, I just didn't want to go with a grease, afraid it would be a too heavy and thick. Could have used something called "banana oil" that's a good lubricant, but when you deviate from "just plain oil," then you have to start wondering how different additives affect the chemical composition of the plastic? No affect, or possibly some disolving action? Oh, and unclesoska , I remounted the barrel guide bracket underneath the frame's top rail today. This lowered the bottom of the groove about 1/16". I could see after just a few days where the slot in the knurled nut had been rubbing on the bracket. It doesn't need to be lifting the tumbler barrel, so I think it is an improvement. Besides the height, it's also important to get the bracket aligned straight up and down and side to side. One thing I did notice, the stud sticking up through the metal lid is slightly bent, so with the nut screwed down, it has a little wobble. Will try to straighten it next time it is opened. All things being the same (RPM, rock hardness and size, slurry thickness and grit size), running the QT12 and the Scott - Murray side by side has allowed me to make a comparison. The hexagonal barrel of the S - M is doing a more aggressive grind than the ten-sided Lortone barrel.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,664
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Post by Tommy on Mar 16, 2018 10:46:18 GMT -5
Nice write-up Jean! I have the same tumbler (66 configuration) that needs the same maintenance if I ever decide to get it rolling again. It's been in the shed for several years now.
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,630
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Post by NRG on Mar 16, 2018 10:59:26 GMT -5
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Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 16, 2018 11:05:07 GMT -5
Nice write-up Jean! I have the same tumbler (66 configuration) that needs the same maintenance if I ever decide to get it rolling again. It's been in the shed for several years now. Thank you, Tommy. Borrowing from Randy Garage Rocker , so easy, even a caveman can do it! And little down time, as well. I should have done it earlier, when it wasn't in use. Just needed that "Oh, shit!" moment when it quit rolling to necessitate me doing something about it!
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Post by nowyo on Mar 22, 2018 19:42:02 GMT -5
Just caught up with this one, great post, Jean. Just replaced the shafts and bushings on the QT6 a few weeks ago. Since most folks have different ideas on lube I'll throw mine in there. When I installed the new shafts I used a light coat of light grease because I had it laying around. For routine lubing I generally use 10wt motor oil.
Russ
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kskid
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2014
Posts: 98
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Post by kskid on Mar 27, 2018 22:33:40 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing the details & pics! My QT6 has been running near non-stop for more than a few years now. Seems to be holding up well, but I've wondered what to look for when the wear finally catches up. Great information! I'm also another 3in1 user - a drop on each end once a month. From the runoff I thought I might be over doing it, but it sounds like I'm living on the wild side.
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