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Post by velodromed on Aug 18, 2023 3:50:44 GMT -5
Does anyone here own one of the dual 3lb barrel Wire Jewelry tumblers? They look like the harbor freight ones except bright green. I bought one when I didn’t know what I was doing 18 months ago. I regretted it after it started making a loud noise, but then I contacted the company and they immediately sent me a new base with a nice quiet motor. That was really cool.
A week ago the seals on the lids developed a crack. I reached out to the company again and they sent me 2 new lids in a couple days. So, even though I think they’re on the expensive side, their customer service is excellent. If you are like me, bought one of these and it’s giving you issues, their two warranty is really good. All they needed was a copy of the receipt and a verbal explanation of the issue.
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Post by southernlakehuronguy on Aug 18, 2023 7:08:20 GMT -5
Wow, great customer service. I saw your other post of this tumbler, looks like this tumbler has metal bushings for the shafts. I have 2 H.F units and replaced the plastic bushings with flanged bronze bushing. Nice and smooth. I did overload one of the tumblers and the motor bearing got real noisy.I replaced the O.E.M. with ceramic bearings.
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Post by velodromed on Aug 18, 2023 9:58:32 GMT -5
Wow, great customer service. I saw your other post of this tumbler, looks like this tumbler has metal bushings for the shafts. I have 2 H.F units and replaced the plastic bushings with flanged bronze bushing. Nice and smooth. I did overload one of the tumblers and the motor bearing got real noisy.I replaced the O.E.M. with ceramic bearings. Yep, it does have brass bushings. If those ceramic bearings go out because of dusty conditions, try ABEC 5 Metal shielded motor specific bearings from Jimsbearings.com. They last a long time in a high-end RC car, so I imagine they will last forever in a low speed tumbler motor. |
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Aug 18, 2023 18:24:01 GMT -5
Wow, great customer service. I saw your other post of this tumbler, looks like this tumbler has metal bushings for the shafts. I have 2 H.F units and replaced the plastic bushings with flanged bronze bushing. Nice and smooth. I did overload one of the tumblers and the motor bearing got real noisy.I replaced the O.E.M. with ceramic bearings. Yep, it does have brass bushings. If those ceramic bearings go out because of dusty conditions, try ABEC 5 Metal shielded motor specific bearings from Jimsbearings.com. They last a long time in a high-end RC car, so I imagine they will last forever in a low speed tumbler motor. How would one mount bearings like these to the tumbler frame? Looks like it would need a flange. |
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Post by southernlakehuronguy on Aug 18, 2023 19:21:35 GMT -5
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Post by velodromed on Aug 18, 2023 21:39:18 GMT -5
Yep, it does have brass bushings. If those ceramic bearings go out because of dusty conditions, try ABEC 5 Metal shielded motor specific bearings from Jimsbearings.com. They last a long time in a high-end RC car, so I imagine they will last forever in a low speed tumbler motor. How would one mount bearings like these to the tumbler frame? Looks like it would need a flange. He was referring to motor bearings, he replaced the stock motor bearings with ceramic bearings. Ceramic bearings are high end bearings, but they are not as sturdy as chromium bearings. But for high-speed applications, they are excellent. He also replaced the cheap harbor freight plastic roller bushings with brass bushings. Brass basically self lubricates, doesn’t rust and is extremely durable. It is far better than plastic…with the exception of Delrin, that is. Delran is an extremely sturdy acetal resin intended for high load applications. It makes excellent bushings for some applications. I thought about trying to install bearings for the rollers at one point, but decided it wasn’t really worth the effort. Brass bushings are fine for that low speed, low weight application. Eventually, I will build my own tumbler using pillow bearings for the rollers. But that project is a ways off. |
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Post by velodromed on Aug 21, 2023 21:51:17 GMT -5
I’m changing my mind about installing bearings for the rollers after finding these. I knew about pillow bearings, but not pillow block flange bearings. They’re only 8 bucks so I just need to confirm they’ll fit the rollers.  |
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adam5
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 153
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Post by adam5 on Aug 22, 2023 3:27:25 GMT -5
They will work with the rollers. I have installed them in one of my Harbor Freight tumblers.
There is also a kit being sold on ebay for replacing the plastic bushings with ball bearings. I have one of those one the way for my other Harbor Freight tumbler.
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Post by southernlakehuronguy on Aug 22, 2023 3:50:19 GMT -5
I saw those kits too. Actually there is a you-tube video that someone tries to explain how to install the kit....https://www.ebay.com/itm/374177743517
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Post by velodromed on Aug 22, 2023 8:22:07 GMT -5
They will work with the rollers. I have installed them in one of my Harbor Freight tumblers. There is also a kit being sold on ebay for replacing the plastic bushings with ball bearings. I have one of those one the way for my other Harbor Freight tumbler. Thanks man. I saw that kit on Amazon for 20 bucks. Not sure how much it is on eBay. I think I’ll try these flange bearings though. Only eight bucks. I don’t need a guide for drilling holes and so forth, which that kit looks like it came with. |
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Aug 22, 2023 8:46:08 GMT -5
Ouch. They want $23 to ship $8 worth of bushings. Especially after getting 40 pounds of rocks shipped across the country for a couple bucks less, I don't think I can stomach that. |
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Post by velodromed on Aug 22, 2023 10:19:55 GMT -5
Ouch. They want $23 to ship $8 worth of bushings. Especially after getting 40 pounds of rocks shipped across the country for a couple bucks less, I don't think I can stomach that. Yeah, that kit is expensive. I’ll order the bearings and if they work, document the repair and post. It’ll be a month or so though before I can manage it though. |
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Post by southernlakehuronguy on Aug 22, 2023 10:30:35 GMT -5
Guess you could say I'm dumber than a box of rocks. Ooooh. Anyway, just got into this hobby the beginning of this year. Read all I could about tumblers available, you tube videos, reviews and all. I knew I could improve the performance by installing the Bronze bushing but couldn't find them locally. I had no choice but to order these. . An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
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Post by velodromed on Aug 22, 2023 12:14:55 GMT -5
Guess you could say I'm dumber than a box of rocks. Ooooh. Anyway, just got into this hobby the beginning of this year. Read all I could about tumblers available, you tube videos, reviews and all. I knew I could improve the performance by installing the Bronze bushing but couldn't find them locally. I had no choice but to order these. . An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I would have done the same probably if I hadn’t accidentally learned what pillow block flange bearings are, so all good man. |
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Post by southernlakehuronguy on Aug 22, 2023 14:12:44 GMT -5
Oh I knew of the bearing kits. The thing is, my tumblers are in the basement directly under the family room, I went with bushings as they are quieter.
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Post by velodromed on Feb 10, 2024 16:26:07 GMT -5
The motor in the new base died this morning so I pulled it and took it apart. First off it was filthy inside, a ton of rust looking powder fell out along with several small parts…  So I cleaned it up and reassembled the innerds. I guessed on the placement of one small spring but it seems ok…  Then I noticed the weaved wire that connects the positive brush was frayed apart. Here’s the one that’s still good. I forgot to take a pic of the other one…  So I broke out my soldering stuff and managed to bridge the 1/8th” of frayed wires and got it to hold.  I put it back together and the silly thing actually works!! My wife’s cracking up I’m so proud of myself. I knew nothing about electrics or motors before I got into hobby grade RC cars in 2020. I can’t believe what I’ve learned and can figure out now. I was always intimidated by stuff like my first 50 years of life. So it feel really good to conquer that fear and learn new skills. Comes in handy also. I’ve figured out how to fix all sorts of things these last few years. |
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adam5
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 153
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Post by adam5 on Feb 10, 2024 20:42:11 GMT -5
Congratulations on the repair  I have found that if you can get past the fear of screwing up you can accomplish many things. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 10, 2024 21:26:44 GMT -5
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Post by velodromed on Feb 10, 2024 21:54:49 GMT -5
Congratulations on the repair I have found that if you can get past the fear of screwing up you can accomplish many things. Very true! Thanks, much appreciated! |
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Post by velodromed on Feb 10, 2024 21:55:50 GMT -5
 Yeah…totally one of my hero’s! |
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Yeah…totally one of my hero’s!
