gitting
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2022
Posts: 8
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Post by gitting on Sept 30, 2022 9:48:10 GMT -5
Hello!
I just started this hobby a few months ago. I bought a single barrel Leegol and have been using that for 3 months. I added a double barrel Chicago Electric from Harbor Freight a few weeks after I got my first one. They have been running more or less non stop, other than switching out for new grit, and once a month maintenance to check belts and lubricate the turn shaft.
I turned off my Chicago one a few days ago to rinse and regrit my batch, and when I tried to start it up again, the motor seized. I swapped belts, lubricated anything I could reach, but the fan shaft just won't turn. When I turn it off, I can easily turn it with my fingers.
I wrote to Harbor freight and they are kindly sending me a new one. But now the same thing happened to my Leegol. It has been tumbling this batch for a week, I turned it off, rinsed my rocks and added new grit and water, put it back on and it's seized up too now. The motor is making a sound but nothing is moving.
I got frustrated and took that one apart completely with no idea how to fix it or put it back lol, so I probably will have to toss that. But am I doing something wrong or did I just get two bad motors?
(because I'm new to tumbling and paranoid, I have been checking my tumblers every day too, to make sure they sound okay and aren't overheating other than the general warmness I've read is normal).
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Post by jasoninsd on Sept 30, 2022 11:10:44 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota!  I do believe there are a lot of people who have had issues with both of those tumblers...but I will let those with the actual experience chime in. Sorry you're having problems with them...it does put a damper on the excitement of the hobby! |
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gitting
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2022
Posts: 8
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Post by gitting on Oct 3, 2022 4:23:10 GMT -5
Well, to add insult to injury, Harbor Freight sent me a brand new replacement tumbler. I got it going and it burned out completely after 3days. When I cracked open the top to see if it was the belt or anything fixable, the motor was crooked and burnt looking, which was a little scary.
I just started this hobby 3 months ago and I've gone through three tumblers now. They are on a cool tile bathroom floorand I'm not overloading them, so I can only surmise I've had bad luck amd/or crappy brands. I don't want to have to buy a new tumbler every month, so looking for recommendations.
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gitting
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2022
Posts: 8
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Post by gitting on Oct 3, 2022 5:06:32 GMT -5
.... Aaand it seems Lortone 33B is a popular recommendation but every vendor is out of them!  |
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electrocutus
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2020
Posts: 341 
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Post by electrocutus on Oct 3, 2022 10:37:47 GMT -5
.... Aaand it seems Lortone 33B is a popular recommendation but every vendor is out of them! Yes, that's part of why they are out of stock :-( I've had mine running pretty much non-stop for almost 2 years now without any issues. Another great thing about the 33B is that you can use 3 1.5lbs barrels (instead of the default 2 3lbs barrels) concurrently so it's easier to experiment with small batches of a variety of rocks. |
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brybry
Cave Dweller 
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,221
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Post by brybry on Oct 3, 2022 18:21:29 GMT -5
.... Aaand it seems Lortone 33B is a popular recommendation but every vendor is out of them! Build one with the money you would've spent on a new one. Can recycle your barrels for the one you build. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2022 18:32:35 GMT -5
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2022 18:34:27 GMT -5
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dirtsifter
Cave Dweller
Co to za kamyczek?
Member since September 2022
Posts: 402
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Post by dirtsifter on Oct 5, 2022 11:09:57 GMT -5
So sorry about your tumbler troubles. If you go to The Rock Shed's and Kingsley North's website, you can put in to be notified when back in stock. Sorry that does not solve your immediate problem.
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gitting
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2022
Posts: 8
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Post by gitting on Oct 8, 2022 12:02:57 GMT -5
I have purchased a Lortone 33B and am optimistic!
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JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
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Post by JR8675309 on Oct 9, 2022 14:36:05 GMT -5
Sweeet, you'll love it. I have 2. Do you think you'll replace the motors on the other tumblers? For the fried replacement, I'd write to HF and complain about the fire risk :/. Sorry you're having troubles... you'll love the Lortones... I'm rolling 4 currently.
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tcrusan
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2024
Posts: 1
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Post by tcrusan on Sept 23, 2024 20:02:32 GMT -5
For all the folks who have purchased HF dual barrel rock tumbler models (Chicago Electric; Central Machinery, etc)I have some good news. Replacement motors are expensive and just as prone to failure as the originals. I have found a replacement at Grangers. It is a Dayton brand with model number 4M076. It is a 1/40HP 115VAC 3000rpm motor. It has the 1/4" shaft diameter of 1" length. The motor amperage is higher than the HF model by hey for $37 it is cheaper than $46.50 I am seeing on ebay and such. Mounting is identical so you can use existing HF hardware without mods. Link to product here: www.grainger.com/product/DAYTON-C-Frame-Motor-1-40-4M076?opr=PLADS&analytics=FM%3APLA&a2c_sku_original=4M075&position=7Bemindful with other Dayton motors shown on Grangers site of shaft diameter and length, voltage, 1x or 2x speeds. Hope this helps. I also investigated using a Lortone 33B motor and replacing existing motor screws with ones that are 2.25" (1x) and 2.50" (2x) long & same diameter and thread pitch as existing Lortone screws. You can use existing HF hardware however the HF aluminum spacers need a little modification to complete the motor swap mod. |
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Post by southernlakehuronguy on Sept 24, 2024 7:41:42 GMT -5
Good suggestion tcrusan, but that motor has sleeved bearings(bushings). One would be better off with bearings. Personally, every 6 months I disassemble and repack the bearings on my Harbor Freight tumblers.
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