adam5
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 153
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Post by adam5 on Nov 5, 2023 20:38:58 GMT -5
I bought a Lortone QT-N.R. back in September. The motor quit after a week of use, but after cleaning out some internal rust and some lubrication, it has been working fine. However, recently I have had trouble keeping the barrels rolling. I discovered that the roller had little traction with the barrels due to rubber build up. So, emboldened by dillon's Thumler's refurbishing experiment, I decided to refurbish the QT-N.R.. Here are pictures of the tumbler before work began:     Work commenced this weekend. The work included disassembly, cleaning, paint and rust removal, and rubber removal. I have found that Super Clean degreaser and a Scotch Brite pad work well at removing the rubber buildup. Here are some pictures of what I have completed so far:    It appears that I have forgotten to take a picture of the clean rollers. By next weekend I hope to have it painted and install a toggle switch so that I don't have to unplug it. |
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Nov 6, 2023 8:47:36 GMT -5
I love seeing old equipment being brought back to life. Looking forward to future updates here!
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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 Nov 19, 2023 16:56:15 GMT -5
Due to having to repair one of my RayTech bases, the refurbishing was completed this weekend and not last weekend. And it was a bit rushed. The paint job is okay if you stand back about 10 feet and squint. But it is now done and ready for tumbling.    List of things done: Added switch Changed power cord and grounded the frame Replaced the plastic bushings with bronze bushings Cleaned the roller shafts and coated with Flexseal Paint job |
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,622
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Post by dillonf on Nov 19, 2023 17:20:08 GMT -5
Due to having to repair one of my RayTech bases, the refurbishing was completed this weekend and not last weekend. And it was a bit rushed. The paint job is okay if you stand back about 10 feet and squint. But it is now done and ready for tumbling. List of things done: Added switch Changed power cord and grounded the frame Replaced the plastic bushings with bronze bushings Cleaned the roller shafts and coated with Flexseal Paint job Awesome Job! That looks great! That's great you were able to get the motor running again! The switch is a sweet upgrade! |
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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 Nov 19, 2023 21:08:57 GMT -5
Thanks dillon!  |
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Post by southernlakehuronguy on Nov 21, 2023 20:53:10 GMT -5
Nice work you did. May I ask, how did you secure the bronze bushings to the frame?
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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 Nov 22, 2023 6:37:49 GMT -5
Thanks!
The bushings ae flanged, so they can not slide into the frame. The retaining rings on the rollers prevent the bushings from sliding out of the frame. I did have to sand down the flanged ends to less than half their original thickness so that the retaining rings could be installed.
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Nov 22, 2023 8:31:51 GMT -5
Looks great! Nice work.
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Post by southernlakehuronguy on Nov 22, 2023 10:53:17 GMT -5
Thanks! The bushings ae flanged, so they can not slide into the frame. The retaining rings on the rollers prevent the bushings from sliding out of the frame. I did have to sand down the flanged ends to less than half their original thickness so that the retaining rings could be installed. So I assume the bushings were a tight fit into the frame? When I installed the bronze bushings on my harbor freight tumblers, I used a step drill to ream out the holes for the flanged bushings, but it was not a tight enough fit and to prevent them from spinning, I used a drop of crazy glue. Works great. What I am trying to figure out, I have 3 Thumlers AR2 tumblers and 1 AR1. To save on electricity, I bought 2 foot sections of 5/16" rod for drive axles that will power 2 tumblers off of 1 motor. So on the driveshafts I used the flanged bronze bushings with washers on the opposite side of the frame and used push washers to pinch the flange of the bushing tight against the frame to prevent them from spinning-in theory anyway. Every once in a while I have one that wants to spin with the shaft. I don't want to use crazy glue as I want to pull the shafts off to clean and lubricate. I thought you had a better design that you had figured out. I guess I will try larger O.D. push washers in hopes it will apply more pressure.Thank you for your time. |
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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 Nov 23, 2023 9:24:59 GMT -5
Thanks! The bushings ae flanged, so they can not slide into the frame. The retaining rings on the rollers prevent the bushings from sliding out of the frame. I did have to sand down the flanged ends to less than half their original thickness so that the retaining rings could be installed. So I assume the bushings were a tight fit into the frame? When I installed the bronze bushings on my harbor freight tumblers, I used a step drill to ream out the holes for the flanged bushings, but it was not a tight enough fit and to prevent them from spinning, I used a drop of crazy glue. Works great. What I am trying to figure out, I have 3 Thumlers AR2 tumblers and 1 AR1. To save on electricity, I bought 2 foot sections of 5/16" rod for drive axles that will power 2 tumblers off of 1 motor. So on the driveshafts I used the flanged bronze bushings with washers on the opposite side of the frame and used push washers to pinch the flange of the bushing tight against the frame to prevent them from spinning-in theory anyway. Every once in a while I have one that wants to spin with the shaft. I don't want to use crazy glue as I want to pull the shafts off to clean and lubricate. I thought you had a better design that you had figured out. I guess I will try larger O.D. push washers in hopes it will apply more pressure.Thank you for your time. 3 out of 4 were a tight fit. I went a touch too much on the first hole. But so far the friction between it and the frame is holding it in place. I am interested in how this works out for you. |
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Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 13,011
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Post by Tommy on Dec 25, 2023 11:43:29 GMT -5
So I assume the bushings were a tight fit into the frame? When I installed the bronze bushings on my harbor freight tumblers, I used a step drill to ream out the holes for the flanged bushings, but it was not a tight enough fit and to prevent them from spinning, I used a drop of crazy glue. Works great. What I am trying to figure out, I have 3 Thumlers AR2 tumblers and 1 AR1. To save on electricity, I bought 2 foot sections of 5/16" rod for drive axles that will power 2 tumblers off of 1 motor. So on the driveshafts I used the flanged bronze bushings with washers on the opposite side of the frame and used push washers to pinch the flange of the bushing tight against the frame to prevent them from spinning-in theory anyway. Every once in a while I have one that wants to spin with the shaft. I don't want to use crazy glue as I want to pull the shafts off to clean and lubricate. I thought you had a better design that you had figured out. I guess I will try larger O.D. push washers in hopes it will apply more pressure.Thank you for your time. 3 out of 4 were a tight fit. I went a touch too much on the first hole. But so far the friction between it and the frame is holding it in place. I am interested in how this works out for you. Hi adam5 thanks for this great write-up on your project - it's looking really good! I'd love to add this to the refurbs section of the DIY Projects page if you don't mind. Do you happen to have an updated picture of the project - or finished project? |
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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 Dec 25, 2023 15:59:13 GMT -5
Hi Tommy, I will take some final pictures this evening. |
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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 Dec 26, 2023 6:07:02 GMT -5
TommyHere is photo of the refurbished tumbler:  Let me know if you need something more or different
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 13,011
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Post by Tommy on Dec 26, 2023 11:10:37 GMT -5
Tommy Here is photo of the refurbished tumbler: Let me know if you need something more or different Thanks it's perfect! Again, congrats on a successful refurb project. I personally am not very good at refurbishing things - I tend to take things apart with good intentions and never get them put back together  |
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Maybe you can post some pictures here