rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,322
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Post by rocknewb101 on Oct 6, 2022 7:12:25 GMT -5
Hi everyone - yesterday for the first time my Thumlers tumbler leaked. Has anyone else had any issues with this tumbler? I'm not overly impressed with the lid and am curious of others experiences. I checked on my rocks (bloodstone) yesterday after reading many posts about gas build up (they were fine) and after resealing, it started leaking. Only a little amount and it did stop after the "slurry" around the outer edge dried. Now my tumbler has a squealing sound like maybe slurry got into the gears? I'm no mechanic so understanding even simple mechanics isn't my forte, but I'm willing to look for tutorials on taking it apart, cleaning and reassembling. Any ideas? Thanks very much!
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nursetumbler
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2022
Posts: 928
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Post by nursetumbler on Oct 6, 2022 21:00:10 GMT -5
rocknewb101My guess on the leak is that when you opened it there was unseen grit that got on the seal edge. It's only a guess because I don't have your type of machine so I don't know how it goes together. I just know i peeked in one of mine once and didn't get the seal washed totally and it leaked. Haven't peeked since and hasn't leaked since. Just a thought.
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dshanpnw
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2020
Posts: 891
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Post by dshanpnw on Oct 7, 2022 7:17:46 GMT -5
I have the AR-2 and the lids have leaked. I don't think the o-ring system is the best method of sealing the lid. I tried everything from buying new lids, to tighter o-rings, to wrapping the outer edge of the lid with plumber's thread sealing tape and nothing worked. My guess is the outer edge of the barrel gets a little stretched which causes a gap between it and the lid and the o-ring just isn't strong and tight enough to create a good seal. One thing you can do is to check the seal before you put it on the tumbler by tilting it sideways and rotate it all the way around to see if it leaks. If it does, try to reseat the lid and o-ring and try again. If all else fails, I recommend trading the MP-1 in for a Lortone 33B, but hold on to the old one.
As for the noise, I would put a drop of oil on all the bearings at the ends of the shafts and see if that works.
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,322
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Post by rocknewb101 on Oct 7, 2022 8:19:59 GMT -5
rocknewb101 My guess on the leak is that when you opened it there was unseen grit that got on the seal edge. It's only a guess because I don't have your type of machine so I don't know how it goes together. I just know i peeked in one of mine once and didn't get the seal washed totally and it leaked. Haven't peeked since and hasn't leaked since. Just a thought. I think that's exactly what happened. I cleaned it all thoroughly last night including the rollers, belt and barrel (it wasn't as mechanic as I though lol) and the squeaking has stopped and it's no longer leaking. Thank you!!
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,322
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Post by rocknewb101 on Oct 7, 2022 8:22:49 GMT -5
I have the AR-2 and the lids have leaked. I don't think the o-ring system is the best method of sealing the lid. I tried everything from buying new lids, to tighter o-rings, to wrapping the outer edge of the lid with plumber's thread sealing tape and nothing worked. My guess is the outer edge of the barrel gets a little stretched which causes a gap between it and the lid and the o-ring just isn't strong and tight enough to create a good seal. One thing you can do is to check the seal before you put it on the tumbler by tilting it sideways and rotate it all the way around to see if it leaks. If it does, try to reseat the lid and o-ring and try again. If all else fails, I recommend trading the MP-1 in for a Lortone 33B, but hold on to the old one. As for the noise, I would put a drop of oil on all the bearings at the ends of the shafts and see if that works. Thank you very much! It's such a poor design IMO. After cleaning the rollers and belt the squealing noise has stopped... I'm a little bummed that I didn't find this forum prior to purchasing the MP-1. I've seen great comments about the Lortone and Rockshed in general...I've already asked for one for Christmas haha...They think I've lost my mind Appreciate the thoughts.
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