oiling the tumbler bearings

I don't think it is necessary to oil the bearing every couple of days. I would think that maybe the problem of it sticking. I use white lithium grease every month or so depending on if it is needed.

Jason

One drop of lightweight oil (20wt motor oil) every 30 days per Lortone, www.lortone.com/pdf/Model_3A_Jewelry_Tumbler.pdf

Note: If it's in a dirty/dusty environment, the unit should be disassembled and cleaned when dirt comes out of the bearings when oiled.

Dr Joe

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thanks for the replies!

I think the bearings are dirty and probably need to be cleaned. There is no avoiding it I think. There is just a lot of black thick junk that I keep wiping off the bearings. While it could be the oil I am using is doing it, but this is a used tumbler and I do not know how or where it was used before I got it.

I have a replacement belt for it, but I am sure that is not the problem. I have the cover off of the motor and when I was having trouble getting it started again, it had completely stalled the motor as well. So if the belt was slipping the motor pulley would be moving but not the tumbler. Both pulleys were not moving.

At minimum the bearings need cleaned and worst case they may need replaced. I am pretty sure this tumbler has been used quite a bit, as the rubber on the shafts has worn off in some places. But the good news is these parts do not seem to be that expensive if I do have to replace them. I just know that I will have to set aside a couple of hours possibly to disassemble and clean the machine.

Randy

Lortone bearings are paper thin when new. MMost of the used ones I've picked up are worn out and sometimes missing completely. Remove the shafts and inspect the shafts for wear and damage. If worn it is best to replace them and the bearings. I make my own shafts out of shaft stock and cover with braided vinyl hose.

If the motor has oliers (two small holes at each end) you can add about two drops at start up. If you use the tumbler continuously about every 6 months is enough. The white shaft bearings you can oil at the start of each batch or once a month.

An easy way to clean without taking apart is spray clean with WD40. You should be able to wash out all the gunk enough to see how the bearings look. Then oil with a couple drops of light weight oil.

I had tossed the thought of using WD40 around. Because like you say, it is good and washing out gunk like that. But is not the best at lubricating because it is so thin and runny. And also was worried it might affect the plastic bearings. But if they are made of nylon, it should be OK.

I have some spray lubricant that someone gave me for my motorcycle chain. Its a "dry lube" spray, would that be the same as you mentioned?

And here is where everyone starts to hate me...
I may be the cheapest guy on the planet, BUT I know how things work down to a molecular level and how far I can push them (no brag just fact).

WD40 is not a lubricant, it's for water displacement, it will thin and ultimately destroy other lubricants if mixed. It's a wonderful product if you know how it works. Yes you can use it to clean contamination from bearings and surfaces but it should be removed and replaced with a lubricant.

Roller chain lubricant is good for just that, mountain bike chains are to be cleaned after each use (and replaced regularly) and the flaking is the loss of lubricant with the contaminants, not the best thing.

We take such care in cleaning the drums between grits sizes...why?... so there is no contamination of the next grit size. One bit of grit (dirt) in a bearing (any type) can cause scoring of the bearing surface which will break down the integrity of the the bearing, causing premature failure.

Disassembly of the unit (it will only take the length of a few good songs on the radio) to remove contamination is the only way to remove these things with the designs we are working with. These units were not designed to have the bearings washed out in place (special bearings and accommodations).

High pressure grease (automotive wheel bearing grease) is great for this application, but with the possibility of contamination (no bearing seals), it needs to be cleaned and replaced regularly.

Expensive oils (gun, sewing machine, watch) are a waste since they are not designed for this task, and are therefore more trouble than they are worth (if it comes down to these or NO lubrication, by all means use them).

20w motor oil (non-detergent) is designed to work under a load and under high temperatures (in respect to our application), but it needs to be applied properly (as in a continuous film).

Hate me if you must but if you read this and do anything different at least you know your doing it wrong and can only blame yourself when things die prematurely. (that's what I do). ;D

This goes for belt maintenance too. (they need to be adjusted in increments over their lifetime (before they start slipping). When you put on a new belt, measure the deflection and test/readjust accordingly at every grit change.

Dr Joe

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OK, I cleaned the bearings and used some 3 in 1 oil and its working very good now. After looking closer at things, I have at least 1 bearing that is worn out. So next time I order grit I will order a set of bearings and replace them.

Randy