rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Aug 12, 2009 10:45:15 GMT -5
My old 15 lb Thumbler barrel has rubber treads that are on the outside of the barrel. These have worn almost completely off in some places and it's tearing up my rollers and actually got bucked off my mega tumbler yesterday. Any ideas about what to replace the treads with and what to use for adhesive? I was thinking of cutting an innertube up and gluing it on but wasn't sure how much mileage I would get out of that. I'm sure some of you old timers have had to do this at least once... Like the saying goes a picture is worth a thousand words.  Thanks! Rick |
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Aug 12, 2009 12:51:42 GMT -5
OK. My nature is to experiment. Here's the first and handiest try. I removed what was left of the electrical tape from the rollers and removed what was left of the covering on the barrel. Then I grabbed the handyman's best loved tool. Duct tape. I cut a roll down the middle and wrapped two turns around the barrel on each side.  We'll see how long the duct tape lasts... |
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Post by johnjsgems on Aug 12, 2009 13:43:09 GMT -5
If that doesn't do it try Gorilla Tape. It is like duct tape on steroids
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snuffy
Cave Dweller 
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Aug 12, 2009 13:49:43 GMT -5
I just cut the rubber belt off my treadmill. Seems like that would be perfect for that cut into strips.
snuffy
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10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on Aug 12, 2009 16:19:58 GMT -5
You could go over the duct tape with hockey tape. You should be able to pick that up at any sporting goods store that sells hockey equipment. It's used to improve the grip on the stick and improve your feel for the puck on the blade.  |
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Aug 12, 2009 17:34:33 GMT -5
Down south you may have to look for fishing rod grip tape. It seems a mix of cork chips and rubber. Adhesive on one side. Waterproof.
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Post by johnjsgems on Aug 12, 2009 20:59:20 GMT -5
Rick, why not split braided hose, same ID as shaft diameter and put it over the shaft? The new drums are not lined as far as I can remember.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Aug 12, 2009 21:07:50 GMT -5
My StarDiamond is about the same vintage and it does not have rubber on the barrel, however it does have rubber on the rollers. You should be able to go metal to metal, but the softer one will wear away. I know it's a pain because of the length of your rollers, but you might try sleeving them with hose.
Chuck
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Post by connrock on Aug 13, 2009 7:40:09 GMT -5
I think Chuck is headed in the right direction.You said "old" tumbler.
If you bought this tumbler used I suspect it never had rubber on the treads!
If a tumbler is run for a long time it the treads will start to "pick up" the rubber from the rollers and after a very long time (years) of running that "rubber" is not something that was originally on the treads.It's just the "residue" from the rollers.
The steel treads of the 15 lb tumblers, turning constantly on a rubber roller create a lot more force then the smaller.lighter tumblers do.And most if not all smaller tumblers have rubber and or aluminum which ride on the rollers.This is why you don't see the residue forming on them.
I am just about positive that the steel shafts that the rubber rollers are on are 3/8" inside diameter.
You can cut the old rubber off of the existing steel shafts and replace it VERY easily with 3/8" inside diameter fuel hose that you can get from an auto parts store.It's VERY cheap and lasts a Long time.
I've tried 3/8" air hose as well but it has a much smoother surface and sometimes is the culprit of a slipping barrel.
The fuel (gasoline) hose really grips the tumbler treads!
connrock
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Aug 13, 2009 10:20:36 GMT -5
Connrock, This barrel must be very old because what what rubber was left on the barrel came off in neat strips indicating it was a tape applied to it. Maybe the previous owner put it on. That is one of the flaws in design of my mega tumbler. The rods are 6 ft long and have 4 sets of pillow block bearings. So it doesn't lend itself to sliding rubber or braided hose onto the rollers without spliting. I can get away with coating the rollers with electrical tape where the Lortone 6 and 12 lb barrels roll but the Thumblers barrel tears the tape off. So far the duct tape is holding up and rolling smooth. I may try some Gorilla tape like John suggested. Or I may try to find a rubber mat or similar to cut strips out of or I may try splitting some rubber hose or all of the above. I kinda like to experiment... Thanks for the ideas guys! BTW This tumbler was an expansion of an acquired 36" tumbler. The owner of Exolite in Wheatland, WY said the original setup was made by Star Diamond.  |
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Post by connrock on Aug 15, 2009 8:16:01 GMT -5
I think you can still use the fuel hose.
We had to make our big "O"Rings,some up to 48".We had the stock,cut it perfectly straight and glues the ends together with super glue.
I think you can split the fuel hose.slip it onthe roller and glue it the same way???
connrock
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Aug 18, 2009 11:58:42 GMT -5
Connrock,
That's good to know. So far the duct tape is holding up and the barrel is rolling smooth. I'm thinking I may look for some rubber strips to glue to the barrel.
Next time I'm at the auto parts store I'll pick up some 5/8" ID rubber hose and give it a try.
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Post by connrock on Aug 18, 2009 12:28:29 GMT -5
Don't frget that every time you change to OD of the rollers and or barrel you change the RPM's too!
connrock
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Aug 19, 2009 0:00:18 GMT -5
You mentioned old auto tube
(That would be the reverse of rubber pipe on the roller) Ive tried it before and for me it worked ok
Some lorries have quite thick inner tubes so you could get a good "mileage" out of them
Tom mentioned rubber fuel pipe for larger rollers you can use auto heater / radiator water pipes sucess fully .
Jack Yorkshire UK
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Aug 19, 2009 11:35:58 GMT -5
I've been thinking of going dumpster diving at a couple auto repair shops and see if I can find a couple old serpentine belts and attach them to the barrel using that 3M adhesive that you use to glue the foam rubber and leather on the buffer lap. I'm sure I'll get some strange looks from the mechanics and counter guys...
BTW the duct tape is still holding up and rolling smooth...
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Aug 19, 2009 11:54:52 GMT -5
I'm amazed the duct tape is holding up so well. Let us know how long it lasts.
Chuck
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Aug 19, 2009 13:43:44 GMT -5
Duct tape: Day 7  |
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Post by rocklicker on Aug 26, 2009 14:31:59 GMT -5
I just worked on a tumbler that was slipping a bunch. I replaced the shaft tubing with hard black hose from the hardware store and it grips wonders. I am not sure what it is called but it's the same stuff for running the air gap under your sink. It's black, pretty stiff and comes in the right ID/OD for a tumbler. It was a little tricky to get on. I used soap and a lot of leverage to get it mostly on then put the shaft over a hole (used a washer and a piece of wood) and pounded it the rest of the way on. The barrels runing on it are super slick and shiney with nothing but the metal but now grip just fine with no slippage. It's the same hose I have on my tumbler at home. If you have plain metal shafts, then doing something like that will change the speed of the tumbler requiring some pulley adjustments. Also, you might have a heck of time getting that hose on such a long shaft. Mine are two feet and it was tricky. If you do that you might want to do it in sections. Also, the clear vinyl-ish tubing doesn't hold up as well. I ran a tumbler wit hthat stuff and it tends to wear down. That black reinforced stuff for plumbing seems to hold up great. Oh, and greaqt duct tape idea too!
Steve
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