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Post by bhindzioncurtain on Sept 26, 2024 14:57:21 GMT -5
The model T I got came with a couple of rubbers for the barrel and three rubber o-rings for the drive. so filled the barrel 2/3 full, filled with water to just below the rocks, 2 tablespoons of grit, and sealed the lid. Actually it leaked the first time so i had to open and delicately clean the groove the lid fits in, had some dirt/grit in it. So second time no leaks. Plugged in the machine and put the barrel down and gave it a helping hand. Things went well and since it is in the garage I just left. When I came back the barrel was not turning and the small pulley was trying to eat a divot in the o-ring. I tried adjusting the motor by loosening the two nuts and moved as far away from the barrel as it would go. Still the same thing, I go away and when I come back the barrel is not turning. So I thought maybe an old o-ring so got out one of the ones that came with the machine. Again the same thing, when I came bach barrel not turning.   |
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Post by chris1956 on Sept 26, 2024 15:07:11 GMT -5
Brand new? If it wasn't I would guess the drive belt was worn. Have you called Thumbler? You might try lubricating the bearings per the manual. Could be they missed that or it dried out during storage.
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Post by bhindzioncurtain on Sept 26, 2024 15:21:31 GMT -5
Brand new? If it wasn't I would guess the drive belt was worn. Have you called Thumbler? You might try lubricating the bearings per the manual. Could be they missed that or it dried out during storage. Not new, bought from auction. I think I read somewhere that a vacuum belt will work and cheaper than one of those o-rings. When you said lubricate bearings were you talking about the rods that the barrel sits on. Maybe lube the area where the rod is held on with the clips? I have some silicone spray and a can of white lithium grease. |
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Post by chris1956 on Sept 26, 2024 16:00:32 GMT -5
Yes, you put the oil on the rod. See the link below. It isn't the same unit but will show you how to move the bearings to lubricate the rods/bearings. You should try cleaning the belt also. Mine tend to get very dirty/oily after a while and that can stop it turning. This video also talks about oiling the motor. I don't think that was included in the instructions I got for my Thumler but since I saw this video I have oiled the motor every month also (don't over oil the motor or the bearings). I use 3 in 1 oil. I think that is probably better for this application than silicone or grease.
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Post by chris1956 on Sept 26, 2024 16:01:19 GMT -5
The video worked when I clicked on watch on youtube.
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lapidary1234
spending too much on rocks
"If you like rocks you can't be all bad!!" ~ old timer quote
Member since October 2021
Posts: 293
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Post by lapidary1234 on Sept 26, 2024 22:18:04 GMT -5
I am not a fan of the thumlers barrels. I just scored a couple lortone 3lb barrels for my various bases. I have 4x3lb thumlers barrels listed on marketplace right now for 75$. Basically buy 2 get 2 free. Lmk if you're interested!
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Post by bhindzioncurtain on Sept 28, 2024 17:15:16 GMT -5
The video worked when I clicked on watch on youtube. Followed the video, aligned the pulleys, cleaned off the belt, and oiled the bearings. Couldn't get to the motor since I would have to drill out the rivets, that is for another day. The motor seems to run good. The tumbler has been running for 4 hours and hasn't stopped so that definitely helped. Not sure about the belt so probably should buy a backup. I heard that it is not best to just buy from anyway because I have no idea how long it has been sitting on the shelf. Where is the best place to get a belt? |
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Post by chris1956 on Sept 28, 2024 17:44:57 GMT -5
They may be hard to find right now. I tried looking for one (may be different than yours) for my Thumler last week and Kingsley North was out of stock. Other sources are the Rock Shed and Minnesota Lapidary Supply (MLS). MLS usually has stuff in stock when others don't. You will have to call them to find out as they don't have a web site that you can order from.
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Post by bhindzioncurtain on Oct 14, 2024 13:25:07 GMT -5
They may be hard to find right now. I tried looking for one (may be different than yours) for my Thumler last week and Kingsley North was out of stock. Other sources are the Rock Shed and Minnesota Lapidary Supply (MLS). MLS usually has stuff in stock when others don't. You will have to call them to find out as they don't have a web site that you can order from. I heard if you can find a hydraulic repair shop the o-rings are really inexpensive. For now, I bought some from ebay. The Thumler has been running about non-stop for 5 weeks and it keeps chugging along. Currently tumbling Wyoming agate, Wyoming petrified wood and a few medium sized Moroccan agate I got on here. Still stage one but next weekend will move to stage two. |
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Post by bhindzioncurtain on Oct 27, 2024 17:05:14 GMT -5
   So ran into trouble, the box over the motor got too hot to touch and it would not turn the barrel. So I read a thread that mentioned drilling out the rivets and using machine screws to put it back together. The minute I got the cover off I seen what was going on. There was grit everywhere. Kind of surprised the motor was similar to the motor that Lortone used. I had a can of PB blaster and went outside and soaked the motor to clean all the grit off. After drying used 2 in 1 oil on the shaft and put it back together. Seems to be running good and a lot quieter. |
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Post by bhindzioncurtain on Oct 31, 2024 4:23:30 GMT -5
That was short lived, less than a day and I am back to having trouble. Not sure what is going on. I oiled the plastic bearings on the roller arms, put on a new belt, and cleaned and oiled the motor. After a few hours I check and the barrel is stopped and the motor is just spinning on the belt. Really tired of this. It seems like the motor bogs down until the weight of the barrel causes the pulley to start slipping on the belt. Just my idea.
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Post by bhindzioncurtain on Oct 31, 2024 16:53:13 GMT -5
So i purchased a motor from thumlers. Hopefully that will be the end of this post.
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,157
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Post by dshanpnw on Nov 1, 2024 18:58:43 GMT -5
I hope the new motor fixes everything. It could be the old motor just doesn't have the strength anymore. I have Thumlers tumblers, A-R2 and A-R12. the only problem I ever had with them was getting the lids to seal. That's when I changed to Lortone. I bought a bunch of 0 rings from an O ring shop online, I forget the name. Sorry you're having such problems, but it seems you're handy with fixing things.
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Post by bhindzioncurtain on Nov 10, 2024 18:03:54 GMT -5
Got the new motor and R& R the old motor. One difference is that the old one was hard wired with the cord and new one has blade type of connectors. right away I could a big difference just by spinning the shaft with my fingers. old one was much harder to turn, and the new one of course spins freely. Got it installed, turned it on, and when I laid the barrel down it kind of snatched it from my hand. Finally fixed but will have to buy one of those barrel repair kits before too long since the end seems to be getting thin.
So in some ways I am like a young boy, when I find something that is broke I take it apart. was able to take the shaft assembly apart by taking off the fan. once I had taken it apart, I took it outside and gave it a good spraying with brake cleaner. After sitting outside overnight I put lithium grease in the bearings and put it back together. Seems to spin a lot easier so I will keep for a backup.
Thanks for listening, don't forget to tip your better half for putting up with our rock obsession.
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