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Post by Titania on Feb 5, 2008 15:08:55 GMT -5
I was awakened early this morning by a nasty sound coming from my tumblers downstairs. I went downstairs to find that the o-ring had popped off, and the contents of my tumbler were now all over the place...luckily for me, the barrel lid that popped off was on a Borax wash.
I have a Thumler Model A-R2 No. 115 (the twin 3-lb barrel one). I have ZERO problems with my Lortone leaking, but it's a constant battle with my Thumler. Any suggestions?
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Post by akansan on Feb 5, 2008 15:16:53 GMT -5
Leaking, as in the o-ring keeps popping off? Or leaking as in the seal doesn't set for the first few minutes of running?
If the o-ring keeps popping off even in a borax wash, I'd look at the lip of your barrel. There should be an edge there that holds the o-ring in place. How old are the barrels? How old are the o-rings? The o-rings also stretch out over time.
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Post by Titania on Feb 5, 2008 15:24:47 GMT -5
This was my first o-ring popping off issue. But, the seals do tend to leak for the first few minutes, too. I always make sure the lid and that little shelf where the lid sits are super clean. I hate the design of these barrels.
The entire tumbler is new...got it for Christmas. So, I shouldn't already have troubles with the o-rings or barrels.
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Post by akansan on Feb 5, 2008 16:10:40 GMT -5
One thing that helped me was using hot water and making sure the bottom of the barrel was concave after sealing it. After I seal the barrel, I let it sit (and cool) for a bit, which also seems to help...
One of the people that used to come on the board had a horrible time with only one of her barrels. She sent it to me, and yes, it leaked at the very beginning of the tumble each time. I swapped out the lid and o-ring from a different barrel and that took care of it.
Do both of the barrels do the same thing? If you've just got this one at Christmas, you might see if you could get a replacement barrel.
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misguidedone
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2007
Posts: 94
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Post by misguidedone on Feb 5, 2008 17:04:04 GMT -5
If you have "rolled" the rubber ring into place, this could cause an issue. Don't roll it on, carefully stretch it on, without winding it up.
Steve
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 5, 2008 20:18:33 GMT -5
If you continue to have a problem after following the above advise call Thumler's and explain what's happening to them. They are usually very good at making things right. One of my customers recently got one with a drum that wouldn't keep the o-ring on. They sent him a new drum right away.
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Feb 5, 2008 23:57:06 GMT -5
trade it in for a Lortone  Wolf |
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Feb 6, 2008 5:06:18 GMT -5
Hi Titania, I have a Thumlers barrel THATS why I use the LORTONE barrell all the time !!! and only a ocasionaly the thumler I got a new ring for the Thumler ALSO[glow=red,2,300]TIP ----- try slipping the lid round [/glow] , I found that my Thumler sealed in one place so I put a angle grinder mark on the 2 places (lid and barrel) and that solve that , so I have a alignement mark where it seals Also I use a old tooth brush to clean the rings inside the barrel and on the lid just a bit of rock can cause a leak Persever Titania They DO seal !! Have a good day Jack Yorkshire UK |
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Post by Titania on Feb 6, 2008 7:51:07 GMT -5
If you have "rolled" the rubber ring into place, this could cause an issue. Don't roll it on, carefully stretch it on, without winding it up. Steve Yep, I always stretch the o-ring on. It's the only way I can get the o-ring on, honestly. I tried Akansan's idea with the hot water last night...that seemed to help. I'll keep an eye on it, and if it leaks, I'll probably give Thumler a call and see if I can get a new lid. Thanks, everyone.  |
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Post by sandsman1 on Feb 7, 2008 0:48:52 GMT -5
im wit them guys when i seen a thumblers barrel and the way it used an o-ring i bought all lortones haha except for the 15 lbers i realy like them
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Post by akansan on Feb 7, 2008 9:50:18 GMT -5
Yeah, Sands, but at least the Thumlers don't give your quality issues! I know there's an adaptation to all the Lortone barrels to roll instead of Thumlers because someone on the board mentioned it briefly...but they never said what it was! That would be the ideal tumbler - a Thumler body and a Lortone/CE barrel!
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mike4bears
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 275
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Post by mike4bears on Feb 7, 2008 14:02:20 GMT -5
i think you have to change the pulley. i think the lortone has a smaller diameter. so it would speed up the rpms. now this is a big guess on my part. but i do run a lortone. and the ones that have six wing nuts to hold the lid on. and i had to use a adjustable pulley. to keep the rpms right. mike
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Feb 7, 2008 17:12:27 GMT -5
Hi Mike ,
I dont think the speed would be much of a issue I run both barrels and no problem
Its the end issue rather than a motor /pulley issue
And as one barrel is only 1/2" difference No Problem . as long as the speed is with in 35 RPM to 55RPM all should be ok
I have 4 home made tumblers and have struggled with motors and pulleys but they all run in this range
The smaller barrel I use for roughing , and bigger for the pre and polishing stage (slower speed)
Jack Yorkshire UK
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