Chicago Rotary Tumbler - Model 90979

If I compare to my lortone 33B, obviously the model fgor the CE tumbler, i have to admit the electric cord, is heavier and the barrels better quality on the CE. The CE chassis has metal sleeve bearings, not cheap plastic like my Lortone, and the chassis is just as sturdy overall, with better motor colling and a heftier motor to boot- when it works. Teh Chinese mtor is pure crap. The end bearings ar set in flexibnle plastic, and when the belt is attached the tension warps the plastic and the motor grinds to a halt. It isn't salvageable. you can replace the motor fairly easily with a Lortone motor and you're off again. Buy replacement belts from Lortone or even off eBay- I cought some reound-cross-section belts and they're great.- I haven't needed to replace the belt a second time yet. When I first joined the Board I had this idea and was pretty proud of myself, until it was pointed out that just about everyone has worked this repair to make a serviceable tumbler. As for the friction one responder commented on- just adjust the little cleat on the end of the carriage and that will keep the barrels in position. Oild the bearings about every month or so with a little machine oil, or take it apart and clean it, then apply lithium grease. If they only had used a decent moor and belt, the CE tumbler would be a really good value. Still, you can buy one and rework it for less than the cost of a neew Lortione.

I have to take issue with the vendor who responded about you're desire to try to get a refund. The customer has a right to expect merchantability- the expectation an item is fit for the use intended. The CE tumblers, as sold, are not. Vendors selling these machines know they are crap, and are trying to make a quick buck on the gullible, who usually won't nbother to take the time or expense to return or contest the sale in any way. They are predators, and eBay should don more to control these people. If you complain to eBay, as I did once in a case of clear fraud, they charge you $25 PER ITEM to intervene. Paypal is a little better. i use my credit card through Paypal and they will give me full refund protectiomn free. So, don't fall for Paypal's buyer protection crap. They are worthless, eBay even more so. Lortone parts are available through several Lapidary supplies, like ACE and Alpha. Ithink they offer replacement 230 volt motors. Lots of luck, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

Mark H.

Thats funny predators eh... So your saying that Harbor Freight is a predator since they are the main distributor for CE here in the USA. You get what you pay for and if you buy cheap stuff don't expect to get a product that lasts. I'm not a dealer of these crappy items just a person that knows that you don't get something for nothing.

I agree the PVC barrels work pretty well, but I'd like larger capacity than I can get with 4" PVC.

Chuck

No 1rockhound, see my previous post with the quote from HF's ad, They're honest about it.

Someone put up a link to the exact ebay CE sale item please so we can compare.
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CUL-Ann, 4 huh?, and they're just laying around! We're going to have to do something about that. ;D

docharber, don't mistake thermoplastics or polymers for cheap plastic, of course if they use a type for not suited for the application it might as well be cheap plastic

Dr Joe

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Ok, I dug back in over a weeks ebay sales and all CE type tumblers all say exactly the same line..."designed to run for days at a time".

I did see that one ws sold for $1.33 and another for $3.61.

Dr Joe

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Ok, I dug back in over a weeks ebay sales and all CE type tumblers all say exactly the same line..."designed to run for days at a time".


Me thinks you missed the point. "designed to run" is not the same as "Guaranteed to run"... ;D ;D ;D
csroc

i'm using 1/2 inch ball bearings on aluminum shafts for my new tumbler. I goused flange bearings and set them into the end boards (MDF) using spade and Forstner bits of appropriate diameters to make them flush. you will have to tap the bearings on and maybe grind/sand the shaftys to accept them as the fit, on mine at least, was really tight and you have to be careful to tap the bearings on perpendicular to the shaft to have it run smooth. i cut small lengths of vinyl tubing with an ionterior diameter of 1/2 inch onto the shafts before mounting the bearings to give the roller surfaces a diameter of 3/4" i found the aluminum rods at Home Depot and the bearings at a large Ace Hardware. the aluminum is easier to cut than steel and won't rust. It's plenty strong enough, too. It cost only about $7 for a 3 foot rod. That's about the same as steel.
About the bbearing alignment- you can tyell if they are not well aligned as there will be a little drag and noise . Be gentle with the installation as the races can qwarp. And thank you, CUL-Ann, for the photo. It inspired me to try something with PVC and Portone lids to solve the problem of how to make PVC barrels that will seal and not cost me a fortune for end pieces.

Mark H.

docharber says:I goused flange bearings and set them into the end boards (MDF) using spade and Forstner bits of appropriate diameters to make them flush.

Well, that's great and all, but did you make sure to deflugle the cross-sectional goosebearings with your nontorquing Mitchell gagglebit? If you didn't, well, we all know what will happen then!

(Okay, I'm man enough to admit that I have no idea what the heck he is talking about! That sentence makes my head spin.)

Good morning!

I am glad that I saw this post.

Since I am so new to this, I was thinking about buying a Chicago tumbler. During research I found out about the Chicago tumbler. They are available through Harbor Freight. The 3-lb dual barrel (model 90979) is on sale for $49.99. I guess you get what you pay for applies here.

Guess I will not buy it and will save up in the next few weeks to get one of the higher end tumblers (dual barrel).

Thanks all for making your experiences available to those like me that do not know better.

ps ... can you tell I am in between tumbles? ;D

I am waiting for my goodies from MichaelJohn.