stonedagain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2004
Posts: 114
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Post by stonedagain on Jan 5, 2009 14:27:23 GMT -5
hey all
it's been a while as my tumbler's been out of commission for a home improvement project, but i tried to get back on track and have an issue.
i have a Lortone double barrel (6#) rotary tumbler, but the barrel starts to turn for a little bit and then doesn't continue. it appears to 'skip' over the roller. the roller attached to the belt continues to turn, but the barrel doesn't turn with the roller.
i suspect i need to replace the rollers as i had a blow out and wasn't able to get all the sludge off the red rubber. does this sound logical?
my question is, do you think this is the issue?
i'm afraid if i change the rollers, it won't solve the problem - as i really have no other idea... without a barrel on the rollers, the one attached to the belt rotates fine. with a barrel on the rollers, it still rotates fine, but the barrel holds itself and won't turn.
as always - thanks in advance for the advise that i'm sure i will get ;D
~rhonda
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Jan 5, 2009 14:42:52 GMT -5
My instinct with most problems like this is to suggest that you change/tighten the belt. But you seem to be saying that the roller is spinning even when the barrels are sitting on it, but the barrels aren't "gripping" the roller and so aren't spinning - is that right? That's a new one to me!
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Rogue Trader
freely admits to licking rocks
"Don't cry because you are leaving, smile because you were there."
Member since December 2008
Posts: 839
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Post by Rogue Trader on Jan 5, 2009 14:52:35 GMT -5
I've had this problem. Solution I found: 1. Spray the bearings with aerosol oil (WD40). Wipe them clean, then oil again using normal oil. This will thoroughly clean them. 2. Using a wire brush, while turning the rollers by hand scrub up / brush the rollers to remove any sheen from the rollers. 3. Using wire brush again, scrub up the barrel caps or the barrels (whichever part runs on the rollers), again to remove any sheen. I found removing the sheen, slightly roughening the barrels/end caps/rollers re-established grip. Hey Presto. Tumbler runs fine.  |
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stonedagain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2004
Posts: 114
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Post by stonedagain on Jan 5, 2009 15:35:15 GMT -5
you guys are the best - i knew i'd hear from someone...
ejs - yes, the rollers continue to spin, but the barrel is skipping over them and not gripping, thus, not turning.
rogue trader - thanks for the info - i'm sure i've got wd40 around somewhere. i've been using 3in1 oil as a lubricant on the bearings. i think your answer sounds completely logical and when i was checking it out, i couldn't remember if the rollers were smooth when they were new or not. it took a scotch pad to them, but probably not abrasive enough.
at worst, i'll ruin the rollers and have to replace them. i'll give your idea a shot and post the results - probably not until the weekend.
wish me luck and thanks so much for your insight and for letting me glean info from your experiences.
~rhonda
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 5, 2009 19:42:52 GMT -5
You can also cover the rollers with braided vinyl hose. The inside diameter has to fit tight over the red coverings. And yes I know it will change the barrel speed slightly. Also check that the freewheeling axle turns freely and that the bearings are not worn through. Also I'm assuming the barrels are loaded to 3/4 full. Light barrels don't work well on Lortones.
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Jan 6, 2009 0:34:47 GMT -5
I would be curious if the free spinning roller is turning, if it is sticking that could happen.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jan 6, 2009 3:42:13 GMT -5
Try rubbing the rollers (Griping area) with a course sand paper, Is the barrel slipery smooth also ?Lightly rub area that runs on the roller.
(same idea as "Rouge trader" ) helps the roller to grip the barrel
In a dire emergency I have used a little grit dust on the roller , But this is not recomended as it could enter the bearings and wreck them and get on your hands and contaminate the batch.
Jack
Yorkshire UK
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Post by connrock on Jan 6, 2009 6:26:24 GMT -5
you have some great advice,,,,
if you do want to change the roller rubber you can replace the rubber on your rollers by cutting off the old rubber off and replacing it with hose with the same inside diameter.
i went to an auto parts dealer and they matched up some hose for me.i ended up buying 6 feet of it because it was so cheap.
i also got some used air hose from a gas station that worked as well!!
this way you won't change the speed of your tumbler by much if any at all.
connrock
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stonedagain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2004
Posts: 114
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Post by stonedagain on Jan 6, 2009 9:10:46 GMT -5
jophnjs- Well, the weight may have something to do with it, as well. I had two barrels each about 1/2 full, but when they weren't turning, I removed one of them and thought I had too much weight. Maybe I don't have enough?!?!
Saskrock - yes the free spinning roller is moving well, so I don't think it's the bearings.
The rollers are quite smooth so I think you guys are right and it's a lack of friction that is allowing the barrels to skip over the rollers. They also seem to be a bit misshappen as the areas where the barrels are is a bit compressed.
As Jack suggested, I am going to try the sand paper on both the rollers and the barrels (though the barrels are not terribly smooth) and see if that works. If not, I will change the rubber on the rollers.
Thanks for all your suggestions and great advice.
Now I just need to find myself a dremel for drilling and try my hand at some jewelry making so I can make my own living instead of giving all my efforts to 'the man'...
Wish me luck!
Thanks again - invaluable assistance that I greatly appreciate.
~rhonda
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stonedagain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2004
Posts: 114
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Post by stonedagain on Jan 12, 2009 10:43:01 GMT -5
I did what you all suggested and roughed up the rollers and the barrels. I put only one barrel back on and it was turning smoothly at first. Several hours later, I checked & it was still turning, but much slower. I took the barrel off and the roller & where the barrel was had become completely smooth again. It was probably around 8 hours later.
So, I think I'm going to be forced to replace my rollers, but wanted to give you guys an update - your suggestion did work, but not for long...
Thanks for all your help - even if it didn't work out the way I'd hoped, it was nice to get some suggestions.
~rhonda
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 12, 2009 11:35:27 GMT -5
Before you replace anything, wipe down the rollers and the outside of the barrel with rubbing alcohol. It honestly sounds like there is an oily substance on one of the two. If you sanded the roller but didn't get the barrel clean, you'd still have the same problem.
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stonedagain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2004
Posts: 114
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Post by stonedagain on Jan 12, 2009 12:57:20 GMT -5
Thanks Randy - I'll try that.
There is definitely something on there - it was kind of blackish and oily - I assumed residue coming from the gears, but when I sanded the rollers - it came off - but I think you may be right, it may be on the barrel.
Great suggestion - thanks!
~rhonda
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Jan 12, 2009 13:24:18 GMT -5
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Rogue Trader
freely admits to licking rocks
"Don't cry because you are leaving, smile because you were there."
Member since December 2008
Posts: 839
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Post by Rogue Trader on Jan 13, 2009 4:00:59 GMT -5
Another solution I have used is to cut an old bicycle inner tube into 1" wide rings and stretch them over one of the barrel end caps. Rather like giant rubber bands. Again this works very well and I still use it now.   |
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 13, 2009 7:28:57 GMT -5
That's a cool idea!
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stonedagain
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2004
Posts: 114
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Post by stonedagain on Jan 13, 2009 10:30:22 GMT -5
Hey - I like that idea a lot! I think that may solve my issue... Thanks trader!  ~rhonda |
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 13, 2009 10:43:43 GMT -5
I'm willing to bet that it most likely will. Let us know!
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Post by frane on Jan 13, 2009 22:22:50 GMT -5
Um, the times I have had the barrel jump and skip it was due to some grit in the fittings where the rollers join the tumbler frame (Not describing it right I am sure). I had to clean them really well and add a little oil and clean again after a few hours (long enough to work more grit out). Then it started working just fine again. It can cause them to really lock up if you don't watch it.
Good luck!
Fran
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Jan 17, 2009 10:29:36 GMT -5
I had the same problem with the drums not turning this morning. I'd been out of town for a few days and one of the 3# Lortone barrels had upchucked a little mud. I cleaned the roller surface and I cleaned the ends of the rollers and added oil then turned them by hand, and wiped them clean. I did this several times until the oil on the ends was no longer black. Added fresh oil (3 in one) one last time and the barrels turn nicely again.
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Post by llana2go on Jan 18, 2009 19:04:20 GMT -5
I'm having the same problem plus wobbly barrels and a weird noise.
I have tried everything everybody has suggested with no luck, so guess I am going to have to do tumbler surgery. I have taken apart, cleaned, oiled, adjusted me 3# barrel tumblers, but never the 6#'r.
Need that tumbler rolling - found some rough I didn't know I had!
llana
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