headupdef
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2008
Posts: 7
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Post by headupdef on Jun 29, 2008 21:29:46 GMT -5
Hi I discovered tonight that my last belt broke for my tumbler and I reordered some, but it will take a few days or so. My question is, do i have to remove all my stones and recharge once the belts arrive, or can I keep the stones inside the barrels until then, and maybe get by by just shaking them a few times a day?
I have one 3 lb barrel with coarse grit, and the other has stones in polish.
thanks in advance! I am totally new to all this and dont want to ruin my stones!
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Post by akansan on Jun 29, 2008 22:19:28 GMT -5
Hmm...belt broke? Sounds like a CE tumbler!
No matter the brand, you can certainly leave the stones in there for now. I'd give it a shake every day or so to be sure everything is still loose inside, but you should be fine.
BTW - the Lortone belts work out quite nicely for the CE tumbler and they last much longer (read years rather than days). In fact, most Lortone parts can be finagled onto the CE tumbler with minimal fuss. It ends up a bit of a Frankenstein, but it works a lot more reliably.
*so speaks another CE tumbler owner.
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headupdef
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2008
Posts: 7
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Post by headupdef on Jun 29, 2008 22:41:47 GMT -5
thank you sooo much for the reply. I was so worried, I actually just grabbed 3 rubber bands of the same size and just put em on it to keep them moving overnight, if they will last that long.
Of course it is a CE tumbler, 2 belts down in about 3 weeks, and from what I have been reading, seems for mine to have lasted that long is flabbergasting.
I also have seen that my problem with the little plastic fan inside breaking (blades all popped right off the first night it was ran) is no0t out of the ordinary either. BUT on a plus side my stones are shining up! haha so, least through all the hassle, something is working right! LIke I said it's my first batch and I know they won't be perfect, but we all begin somewhere, and I just wanted to minimize my chances of failures. Thank you again!
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Post by akansan on Jun 30, 2008 7:40:18 GMT -5
Have you found the fan upgrade that's listed in the lapidary tips? I'm not sure how far back it is now, but it was by Earthdog if that helps. I don't think there's anything about the CE that hasn't been improved upon by someone here. With a bit of tinkering, the thing can last years...once you have it all back together.  |
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headupdef
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2008
Posts: 7
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Post by headupdef on Jun 30, 2008 12:27:12 GMT -5
hmm thank you. I will have to check that section when I got some time tomorrow. Believe it or not, the rubber bands held overnight and still were working up until a few minutes ago, I changed them to a little thicker ones. Beat's shelling out dough on useless belts!
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Jun 30, 2008 22:36:55 GMT -5
Don't use rubber bands!!! I did the same thing and had one break a get stuck in the motor burning it up. Rubber bands seem like a quick fix but are not worth the risk. Try a o-ring they work well and are easy to get.
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Jul 1, 2008 16:18:51 GMT -5
I've heard that the pony tail elastic bands with the non metalic clip works for CE tumblers quite well.
Rick
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netxrockhound
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2008
Posts: 17 
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Post by netxrockhound on Jul 9, 2008 23:58:22 GMT -5
I have a CE dual tumbler and been running it constanly for about 2 months now and have not broken one belt(knock on wood)
I did replace one about 2 weeks ago because it was slipping.
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Jul 10, 2008 0:25:07 GMT -5
Thats got to be a record. The original belt on mine (CE dual) lasted 4 days.
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