MadMax
starting to shine!
Member since January 2023
Posts: 32
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Post by MadMax on Dec 24, 2023 23:22:55 GMT -5
I have recently been bitten by the rock bug. My dad (66 years young) let me know he thinks he has a tumbler from his grade school days out in the shed. He brings out this gem! I have no clue what it is but the motor still runs. Obviously needs new belts but the gaskets for the drum are still good. Do I need to replace the small belt that connects both shafts? It doesn't seem necessary but I'm no mechanical engineer. Any clue on the brand/model? Guessing it's from 1970 or close to it.  |
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MadMax
starting to shine!
Member since January 2023
Posts: 32
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Post by MadMax on Dec 24, 2023 23:25:21 GMT -5
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Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,982
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Post by Tommy on Dec 25, 2023 11:15:02 GMT -5
That's very cool MadMax! I have no idea on the make - does your dad remember where he got it? I don't see any bolt holes where it maybe would have had a motor cover or shield before. Maybe it's homemade with a bought barrel? |
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,169
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Post by rockbrain on Dec 25, 2023 11:48:42 GMT -5
Looks like that could be a decent one. I'm with Tommy. Looks homemade, but looks a lot better than the homemade one I aquired!
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AzRockGeek
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2016
Posts: 703
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Post by AzRockGeek on Dec 25, 2023 14:35:37 GMT -5
I got one just like it, I think it is a old Scott Murry or Lortone. I will try and dig mine out over break, there may still be a label on it.
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MadMax
starting to shine!
Member since January 2023
Posts: 32
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Post by MadMax on Dec 25, 2023 16:25:12 GMT -5
Any ideas on the small belt? Seems redundant.
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AzRockGeek
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2016
Posts: 703
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Post by AzRockGeek on Dec 25, 2023 16:37:11 GMT -5
Any ideas on the small belt? Seems redundant. It will turn both shafts, keeping the barrel from slipping. Not needed, but i highly prefer. I replaced one of mine with a large vacuum cleaner belt. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 26, 2023 22:40:58 GMT -5
MadMax - That is STUNNING! I'm glad your pops passed that onto you!! 
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Post by liveoak on Dec 27, 2023 7:20:52 GMT -5
The barrel looks like a Thumbler model B
Nice score !
Patty
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Post by pauls on Dec 27, 2023 17:13:10 GMT -5
Definitely factory made. I remember seeing lots of these shaped barrels advertised back in the day (1970s). I just had a quick look through some old magazines but I couldn't find an ad any of them. I guarantee if I was looking for an old faceting machine ad that this tumbler would be all I could find.
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MadMax
starting to shine!
Member since January 2023
Posts: 32
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Post by MadMax on Feb 3, 2024 23:50:27 GMT -5
Refurbished and rolling with it's first load in 50 years.  |
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Post by amygdule on Feb 4, 2024 0:19:28 GMT -5
Looks nice.  I have an old tumbler similar to that. It has an old Lortone label on it. Happy Tumbling  |
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 4, 2024 0:29:14 GMT -5
Definitely Scott Murray or Lortone depending on how old it is.
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MadMax
starting to shine!
Member since January 2023
Posts: 32
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Post by MadMax on Feb 4, 2024 0:44:41 GMT -5
The barrel is very interesting. It has a divider down the middle so it takes two separate loads.
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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 Feb 4, 2024 8:28:20 GMT -5
Cool old tumbler and awesome refirb job! It looks great.
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 4, 2024 12:54:07 GMT -5
We have one of those double 6# barrels I think,
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Post by HankRocks on Feb 4, 2024 13:59:05 GMT -5
I have this same split barrel which I use to tumble two large rocks at the same time. It's the same size as the Model B barrel and the same gray color as a Scott Murray, it could be Lortone as there is no label on the barrel.
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MadMax
starting to shine!
Member since January 2023
Posts: 32
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Post by MadMax on Feb 4, 2024 16:40:03 GMT -5
I have this same split barrel which I use to tumble two large rocks at the same time. It's the same size as the Model B barrel and the same gray color as a Scott Murray, it could be Lortone as there is no label on the barrel. One large rock on each side? How big of a rock have you tumbled in it? I would love to try and do some large pieces. |
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Post by HankRocks on Feb 4, 2024 19:23:13 GMT -5
I have this same split barrel which I use to tumble two large rocks at the same time. It's the same size as the Model B barrel and the same gray color as a Scott Murray, it could be Lortone as there is no label on the barrel. One large rock on each side? How big of a rock have you tumbled in it? I would love to try and do some large pieces. Maybe about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pound. The shape can be important as you don't want it to jam. Mostly fill with pea-gravel and up to about 1/2 inch in size around the large as those will be able to get out of the way. Bigger than 1/2 inch or so and they will start to try and fight the large pieces. I also use a good amount saved slurry for cushioning. |
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MadMax
starting to shine!
Member since January 2023
Posts: 32
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Post by MadMax on Feb 21, 2024 18:01:11 GMT -5
Ok. It's been running great for two weeks. I checked on it yesterday and it walked to the corner of the garage and it's making a squeaking noise. Upon inspection, the shaft that is connected to the motor has significant wear. Hexagonal wear which is interesting, makes me think it's connected to how the rocks were tumbling. Any ideas on what the issue is? I'm thinking it would help to connect the other shaft with a new belt. Also need to fix the worn shaft somehow.   |
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