blizzofoz
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2006
Posts: 22
|
Post by blizzofoz on Dec 29, 2006 14:19:30 GMT -5
I bought a Chicago Rock Tumbler for my 10 year old son. He has shown an interest in tumbled rocks and even started a collection. I thought it would be cool to give him some tools to create his own rocks, with supervision of course.
I know these tumblers are not the best, but if he really gets into this hobby, I'll spring for a better tumber later.
I've started reading up on the do's and don'ts... it makes sense to use different barrels for each grit phase.
My question: where can I find/buy extra barrels for my tumbler or barrels that would fit my tumbler?
Any help would be appreciated!!!
|
|
spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
|
Post by spikeict on Dec 29, 2006 16:11:11 GMT -5
Good luck with that one!! I had the same problem a few months ago. They say a a loretone barrel will work, but by the time you figure around $20 for the barrel add shipping so around $30. I just went to harbor freight and bought a second two barrel unit for around $40.00 ended up with two extra barrels, plus a second unit for another $10.00. So now I am a happy camper with two 60/90 or 120/220, one for pre polish and one for polish it has worked out great.
Something you should think about is getting better belts for the CE. Like you I read a bunch before buying the first one so ordered the unit and better belts at the same time, very glad I did. When I got the second one I thought I would see how long the factory belt would last so did not change it out right away, 36 hours later I was pulling a broken belt out and replacing it.
|
|
blizzofoz
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2006
Posts: 22
|
Post by blizzofoz on Dec 29, 2006 16:20:23 GMT -5
Not sure if I should laugh... or cry.  I did end up buying some extra belts, just not sure if they are "better belts" though. My wife already thinks I'm nuts for buying this stuff... especially when I ordered rocks through the mail. But, I think my son would have fun with this and is something we can do together. Anybody else have an idea where I can get barrels? Can I use something else, such some everyday household item? If I wanted to use the same barrel (for now), what is the best thing I can do? Very thourghly clean the rocks and barrel? |
|
|
|
Post by akansan on Dec 29, 2006 17:06:25 GMT -5
If you want to use the same barrel, I'd run borax in your loads, then do a borax rinse between stages as well. I do this anyway with five barrels.  As for the belts, better belts aren't that expensive. The Rock Shed ( www.therockshed.com ) sells the Lortone belts which fit just fine. There's also a guy on ebay that sells higher quality belts for the CEs. Basically, as long as the belts aren't CE, you're fine. I've read of people using sewing machine belts, rubber bands, vacuum cleaner belts, etc. |
|
spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
|
Post by spikeict on Dec 29, 2006 19:47:35 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by joe on Dec 30, 2006 0:28:33 GMT -5
Hi gang!
You can get parts for your CE's very easy. It just takes a long time.
Call 1-800-444-335 (Harbor Freight Tools)
There is a parts list in the back of your manual.
Get a barrel for about 8 bucks(part#22). You can order the lid seperately(part#'s 32-inner lid, 30-boot gasket, 28-barrel lid , 24-knurled nut. Also order a couple of "Motor fans"(part#29). They are cheap and you will need them.
You can order a set of 4 shaft sleeves (part#14)
Use Lortone belts, they last a long time. I'd also use a Lortone boot gasket instead of CE's.
The rest of the stuff you may as well order. Since it comes from China it takes a month or longer to get to you, so don't wait until you need the parts.
|
|
blizzofoz
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2006
Posts: 22
|
Post by blizzofoz on Dec 30, 2006 11:43:53 GMT -5
I was curious if there was maybe a household item that could be used, maybe with some modifications, as a barrel?
I thought that maybe someone already has done this...
|
|
earthdog
Cave Dweller 
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
|
Post by earthdog on Dec 31, 2006 1:08:40 GMT -5
I tried a peanut butter jar once when I first got started. It worked good. Just as long as the jar is the same size from top to bottom and not tapered. If it is tapered then you could roll duct tape around the tapered end till it is the same size.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Dec 31, 2006 3:18:33 GMT -5
Hi Blizzofoz,
I used to use 4" plastic sanitary pipe and end stops and had a selection before I went on to the bigger Lortone ,you can make them any size you want lenth wise
As for belts there is a red emergency belting over here and on Ebay that is very good ran my little tumbler on for 9 months and still going
Jack
Yorkshire
UK
|
|
darrad
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,636
|
Post by darrad on Jan 1, 2007 9:56:05 GMT -5
Hi Blizzofoz,
First thing you want to do with the CE is realign the belt with the fan motor pully. They are normally way off and when it is alingned you may need to tighten up the belt a little depending how far it was out to start with.
Your son is going to be making "jewels" in not time.
|
|
blizzofoz
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2006
Posts: 22
|
Post by blizzofoz on Jan 1, 2007 18:22:14 GMT -5
All good ideas... I like the pvc pipe idea!
I was checking around the basement... I thought I found the perfect fit, which was a can of MinWax stain. Unfortunatly, it was just a hair to big. Too bad as the self sealing top would have been perfect. I believe they sell some sort of liquid rubber that I could apply to the exterior for gripping on the shafts and maybe in the interior to cut down on the sound.
I will make a trip to Home Depot and check out smaller paint/stain cans that might fit... if not, the pvc will work.
|
|
