rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
|
Post by rocknewb101 on Dec 5, 2022 8:29:52 GMT -5
Saturday mid-day I heard a clunking coming from the basement where I keep my tumblers and saw to my dismay a huge spray of slurry all over the side of my Nat Geo, that came from the Thumlers. My first thought was that the bottom blew out, but after taking a closer look and realizing the bottom was facing away from the nat geo, it dawned on me that there was a pin head sized hole smack in the middle of the plastic lid. Slurry had been spraying out of that hole, all over the Nat Geo and my rocks were essentially dry humping each other . Of course everywhere seems to be out of replacement parts so hubby tried plastic welding the hole, which only made it bigger. So - he took a screw and foam/rubber type washer/disc and plugged the hole that way. So far it's holding- I checked it every hour yesterday and it held up all night. I was lucky in finding a replacement lid on amazon, albeit for a 3lb Thumlers - but I'm told it'll fit the 2lb. We'll see. Anyways, just thought I'd share the love haha. Hope you all have a great week!
|
|
|
Post by pebblesky on Dec 5, 2022 12:22:50 GMT -5
That sounds quite some work to clean up... Glad you find the replacement parts!
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Dec 5, 2022 12:44:20 GMT -5
Yep, 2# and 3# are the same diameter, and if I recall from when we had the little barrels, those lids are definitely a consumable worth having spares for.
|
|
|
Post by parfive on Dec 5, 2022 13:25:16 GMT -5
When you first notice a lid thinning in the middle, reinforce it with electrical tape. On the inside. Star pattern most effective. It’ll easily last for months in a barrel running 60/90 all the time. Just add more when needed.
|
|
rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
|
Post by rocknewb101 on Dec 5, 2022 13:33:01 GMT -5
When you first notice a lid thinning in the middle, reinforce it with electrical tape. On the inside. Star pattern most effective. It’ll easily last for months in a barrel running 60/90 all the time. Just add more when needed. Oooh. I didn't consider doing that! Great tip, thank you. I will make sure to do that if and when I see that happening again
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Dec 5, 2022 21:46:53 GMT -5
Peta, I bet you didn't know your home security camera caught a shot of you just after you discovered what happened!
|
|
geoff59
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2022
Posts: 288
|
Post by geoff59 on Dec 6, 2022 3:59:09 GMT -5
Good thing it wasn’t a #15 lb tumbler!
|
|
Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,512
Member is Online
|
Post by Brian on Dec 6, 2022 6:45:13 GMT -5
If the tumbler is still within warranty, National Geographic is reportedly excellent for sending out replacement parts. If not, it sounds like you may have a better solution anyway!
|
|
rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
|
Post by rocknewb101 on Dec 6, 2022 8:13:15 GMT -5
jasoninsd - hahahahahahahaha! No kidding!!! I kept thinking about how this was going to delay my beautiful agates ha! geoff59 - no kidding! That would have been a nightmare for sure! brian - this was my Thumler's tumbler that gave the nat geo a slurry bath. Thankfully the nat geo didn't seem to mind being sprayed haha
|
|
Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,512
Member is Online
|
Post by Brian on Dec 6, 2022 8:38:00 GMT -5
jasoninsd - hahahahahahahaha! No kidding!!! I kept thinking about how this was going to delay my beautiful agates ha! geoff59 - no kidding! That would have been a nightmare for sure! brian - this was my Thumler's tumbler that gave the nat geo a slurry bath. Thankfully the nat geo didn't seem to mind being sprayed haha Oops! Reading is hard. Glad to hear the Nat Geo is still happily tumbling!
|
|
rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
|
Post by rocknewb101 on Dec 6, 2022 9:07:02 GMT -5
jasoninsd - hahahahahahahaha! No kidding!!! I kept thinking about how this was going to delay my beautiful agates ha! geoff59 - no kidding! That would have been a nightmare for sure! brian - this was my Thumler's tumbler that gave the nat geo a slurry bath. Thankfully the nat geo didn't seem to mind being sprayed haha Oops! Reading is hard. Glad to hear the Nat Geo is still happily tumbling! ha! I understand totally - not a worry...
|
|
|
Post by Starguy on Dec 15, 2022 20:26:20 GMT -5
rocknewb101Sounds like you were tumbling agate. I was going to warn you about glass/obsidian tumbles. They can pressurize a tumbler. It sounds like you had a wear through. Leaks happen but they should be rare. I’ve had a few leaks over the years. It always seems like a disaster but I can’t say that any of my leaks ever damaged a tumbler. I’ve had a couple Lortone barrels last close to 30 years. Their quality isn’t what it used to be but I feel like they are still the best available. Good luck. Keep us informed. It’s great to see you posting more.
|
|
|
Post by susand24224 on Dec 15, 2022 22:44:11 GMT -5
Oh, god, the bad memories this brought back. I think it's an initiation rite.
|
|
dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,071
|
Post by dshanpnw on Dec 15, 2022 22:59:07 GMT -5
rocknewb101 , so when my Thumlers AR-12 blew a hole in the lid the second time, I decided to make some extras with 1/8" acrylic plexiglass. Trace the original lid onto the plexiglass and cut it out. I used a sonicrafter to cut it, one of those oscillating saws. Then sand the edges as smooth as you can, check the fit, and when it holds water tight inside without a leak it is good to go. They last a good long time, but they wear out too.
|
|
rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
|
Post by rocknewb101 on Dec 16, 2022 8:46:22 GMT -5
rocknewb101 Sounds like you were tumbling agate. I was going to warn you about glass/obsidian tumbles. They can pressurize a tumbler. It sounds like you had a wear through. Leaks happen but they should be rare. I’ve had a few leaks over the years. It always seems like a disaster but I can’t say that any of my leaks ever damaged a tumbler. I’ve had a couple Lortone barrels last close to 30 years. Their quality isn’t what it used to be but I feel like they are still the best available. Good luck. Keep us informed. It’s great to see you posting more. THanks Starguy! Yes, these were an agate mix, with one obsidian piece in there. Thankfully the barrel itself was fine and the lid repair is still holding strong I did find a replacement lid so that's something at least
|
|
rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
|
Post by rocknewb101 on Dec 16, 2022 8:47:29 GMT -5
rocknewb101 , so when my Thumlers AR-12 blew a hole in the lid the second time, I decided to make some extras with 1/8" acrylic plexiglass. Trace the original lid onto the plexiglass and cut it out. I used a sonicrafter to cut it, one of those oscillating saws. Then sand the edges as smooth as you can, check the fit, and when it holds water tight inside without a leak it is good to go. They last a good long time, but they wear out too. OH! That's a great idea dshanpnw!! I may just have to do that - and then I can see inside . Thanks for the suggestion!!
|
|
rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
|
Post by rocknewb101 on Dec 16, 2022 8:47:57 GMT -5
Oh, god, the bad memories this brought back. I think it's an initiation rite. LMAO - yes, I do think you are correct, susand24224
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
|
Post by stefan on Dec 16, 2022 16:59:00 GMT -5
I put a cross of duct tape on the outside of the barrels as a safety measure. It only takes one blowout to ruin your day. THe duct tape will hold long enough (usually 2 weeks) to discover the worn lid. I buy my lids by the dozen but I run between 4 and 6 barrels at a time. Nice thing is I have separate barrels for each stage so I'm really only wearing out the 120/220 lids. I do all my 60/90 in the Model B
|
|