cthomas
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2023
Posts: 24
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Post by cthomas on Dec 23, 2023 15:05:48 GMT -5
The plastic bushings on my Lortone 33B rollers are wearing out. I would like to replace them with brass bushings but I'm not sure of the size. Has anyone already measured them? Or have a link to a direct replacement bronze bushing?
There are numerous posts on this forum and elsewhere about replacing the plastic bushings with bronze but no one mentions a size. Some posts suggest getting larger OD bushing and then drilling out the tumbler to make them fit. I would prefer a direct replacement with no drilling if possible.
There are some posts about a possible kit available on eBay and or Amazon but I can't locate either.
TL:DR; Looking for bushing dimensions for a Lortone 33B
Thanks.
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Dec 23, 2023 18:23:22 GMT -5
www.mcmaster.com/product/6338K452Installed these in my 45C and 33B. They work well. You'll of course have to use a step out bit to enlarge the hole, but it was straightforward.
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Post by velodromed on Dec 23, 2023 19:13:47 GMT -5
The plastic bushings on my Lortone 33B rollers are wearing out. I would like to replace them with brass bushings but I'm not sure of the size. Has anyone already measured them? Or have a link to a direct replacement bronze bushing? There are numerous posts on this forum and elsewhere about replacing the plastic bushings with bronze but no one mentions a size. Some posts suggest getting larger OD bushing and then drilling out the tumbler to make them fit. I would prefer a direct replacement with no drilling if possible. There are some posts about a possible kit available on eBay and or Amazon but I can't locate either. TL:DR; Looking for bushing dimensions for a Lortone 33B Thanks. Can you measure the inner diameter, outer diameter as well as length and post it here? |
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cthomas
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2023
Posts: 24
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Post by cthomas on Dec 24, 2023 11:13:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the link. Really hoping for a direct fit replacement so I don't need to drill.
If anyone has or can measure the actual dimension that would be helpful. I don't have a set of calipers to measure with.
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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 24, 2023 12:14:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the link. Really hoping for a direct fit replacement so I don't need to drill. If anyone has or can measure the actual dimension that would be helpful. I don't have a set of calipers to measure with. I would be highly surprised if you could find 5/16" ID bronze bushings that could be inserted in the existing holes. The bronze bushings will not be as thin-walled as the plastic bushings. |
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Dec 24, 2023 14:47:15 GMT -5
Thanks for the link. Really hoping for a direct fit replacement so I don't need to drill. If anyone has or can measure the actual dimension that would be helpful. I don't have a set of calipers to measure with. is right, it's not going to happen. You'll either have to drill or get replacement plastic ones. |
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geoff59
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2022
Posts: 288
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Post by geoff59 on Dec 26, 2023 19:26:54 GMT -5
I’m looking for brass or bronze bushings for the QT tumblers. The old source I used to know about doesn’t seem to be making them any longer. I don’t wanna hijack this thread, while at the same time believing starting a new one would be silly…if anyone can point me in the right direction I’d appreciate it, different maker, or a source for NOS.
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geoff59
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2022
Posts: 288
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Post by geoff59 on Dec 27, 2023 7:51:47 GMT -5
www.mcmaster.com/product/6338K452Installed these in my 45C and 33B. They work well. You'll of course have to use a step out bit to enlarge the hole, but it was straightforward. What method did you use to lock them in place? Like the plastic bearings have that little notch (on the 33b) that fits in to the slot at the bottom of the hole they slide in to, I assume drilling the holes eliminates this, and I’m wondering if friction alone holds them in place. Seems like yearly bearing replacement (plastic) and a new belt are pretty normal for my Lortones. I don’t mind really. I try to keep both bearing-sets and drive belts on hand all the time. I have no experience with a 45C, never even seen one in person. Do they use the same plastic bearing that the 33b uses? |
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cthomas
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2023
Posts: 24
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Post by cthomas on Dec 27, 2023 16:41:04 GMT -5
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geoff59
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2022
Posts: 288
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Post by geoff59 on Dec 27, 2023 18:16:52 GMT -5
Minnesota Lapidry Supply has plastic Lortone replacement bearings in stock. In case you’re unable to find what you’re hoping to find.
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cthomas
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2023
Posts: 24
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Post by cthomas on Jan 4, 2024 13:35:25 GMT -5
So I took that PDF from McMaster showing the original plastic bushing and sent it to Beemer precision which manufacturers Oilite bushings. They said they can make them but for quant 100 the price would be $6.95 each. So unless I can get 25 people to send me $27.80 each for four bushings not gonna happen.
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Post by Son Of Beach on Jan 5, 2024 20:16:54 GMT -5
www.mcmaster.com/product/6338K452Installed these in my 45C and 33B. They work well. You'll of course have to use a step out bit to enlarge the hole, but it was straightforward. Did the clips on the end of the shaft still work with the bigger bearing?
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Jan 6, 2024 7:55:01 GMT -5
www.mcmaster.com/product/6338K452Installed these in my 45C and 33B. They work well. You'll of course have to use a step out bit to enlarge the hole, but it was straightforward. Did the clips on the end of the shaft still work with the bigger bearing?
One worked fine, and for the other, I had to grind down the bushing flange to make it a bit thinner. |
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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 Jan 6, 2024 9:30:15 GMT -5
I had to make the flanges thinner when changing my QT66 from plastic to bronze bushings.
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Post by Son Of Beach on Jan 17, 2024 0:05:21 GMT -5
Finally replaced my bushings after they started squeaking a week after a thorough cleaning. I think I did alright with the tools I had. I used a dremel to widen the hole and my flat lap to take the flange head down some.
Couple of questions... Should there be more of gap between the flange head and the c-clip? I put some sewing machine oil on there, but is there anything else to be concerned with a bronze bushing?
Cleaned as much metal shavings as possible, I thought maybe it would have potential to catch on fire.
It turns, but I'm not running it overnight yet in case I'm missing something.
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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 Jan 17, 2024 4:21:58 GMT -5
Looks good to me  |
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Post by southernlakehuronguy on Jan 17, 2024 8:46:00 GMT -5
Sounds a little noisy. Did you oil them?
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 17, 2024 11:35:19 GMT -5
I generally don't use tumbler bases with dry bushings, easy enough to build a base with pillow blocks and larger rods, but my smallest barrel is a skinny metal 6# unit and largest is 40#.
For the person with the smaller barrels, I wonder if a small piece of something like Zero-Mat would eliminate most of the noise, since that thin sheet metal is going to conduct it, and even worse if the bushings are brass. They make bells out of brass specifically for it's ability to be noisy. Dry bushings cannot be made silent, but I think a sound deadening material to eliminate most of it will make it quieter than the rocks in the barrels.
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Post by Son Of Beach on Jan 17, 2024 22:47:51 GMT -5
Looks good to me Thanks Adam, your note on the flange head help me visualize the setup a little better.
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Post by Son Of Beach on Jan 17, 2024 22:49:54 GMT -5
Sounds a little noisy. Did you oil them? Yea I added some sewing machine oil like I had been with the plastic bushings, seemed to help some. |
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