spotumbler
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2009
Posts: 3
|
Post by spotumbler on Aug 24, 2009 19:48:54 GMT -5
OK folks, I am very new to this. I need some help with my 6lb. tumbler. I purchased this older Diamond brand tumbler a couple of years ago at an estate sale. I was impressed by its clean original condition. I'm guessing it is 35-50 years old. I am fortunate enough to have collected a great deal of Oregon/Washington Jasper, Carnelian and petrified wood and began to tumble it following directions from this site (I will try to post some results later). To make this rambling story shorter, the barrel began to freeze in its tracks after the first three batches. My local rock dealer told me to move it to the shade. I had been placing it on the deck in full sun. I would go out and find it not tumbling. I just started my first batch this year. I oiled it, lubed it, made sure it was all clean and have been having the same problem. First I thought it was one of the side plastic roller guides which does not seem to move well. But the barrel stops even when not engaging the side roller. Then I thought about the weight of the barrel. I only have it 3/4 full of carnelian with the appropriate amount of of water. Can it be the belt for the drive?. It appears to be the original one with no cracks or splits. It seems loose but does turn the rollers. Anyway I sure would like to figure this out so I can get this stuff polished. I am glad I have found this site. I am blessed to live in a region with a wealth of colorful material. I also picked up some other equipment that I will be asking about on another thread at another time. Thanks for your input. Jon
|
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Aug 24, 2009 20:59:18 GMT -5
Try tightening belt for sure. If you mean Star Diamond I believe they sold their tumbler design to Lortone. Most were marketed by Sears. Other things to check are the drums may be slick as well as the axle shaft covers. I routinely replace shaft covers with vinyl braided hose. You can rough up barrels a little with sand paper. These are all if the motor keeps running but barrel stops. If motor is stopping you can try cleaning/oiling but depending on motor you may do better replacing it. The motor runs 24-7 so needs to be in good shape.
|
|
rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
|
Post by rockdewd on Aug 25, 2009 8:43:07 GMT -5
You mentioned that your non-powered roller didn't move freely. If your rollers do not move freely then you should disassemble them and clean the bushings and oil them. The non-powered roller should roll very easily and the roller that supplies the power should turn with a little more effort.
|
|
spotumbler
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2009
Posts: 3
|
Post by spotumbler on Aug 25, 2009 12:18:15 GMT -5
When I stated that the rollers don't move freely, they do. I was talking about the whiteish plastic roller guides on top of the machine. The motor is fine as far as I can tell. The barell is a blue metal with wing nuts holding the face plate down. The barell rollers do not appear to have any shaft covers, just the dark composite roller material. The machine is as mentioned a Star Diamond Not a Sears labled machine. Does the Small diameter braided hose work in this case ?. Does sanding the metal edge that comes in contact with the rollers over a period of years ruin the barell ?. Thanks for helping this beginner.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Aug 25, 2009 15:11:52 GMT -5
I was picturing a rubber drum on round shafts. You definitely don't want to sand the metal drum. The little guides on top just keep the drum somewhat centered. What is on the shafts where the drums sit? If the drum sits on the shafts then measure the shaft diameter and cover with braided hose the same size. Make sure whatever bushings or bearings for the shafts are clean, lubed and not worn through. Place the tumbler on a level surface also.
|
|
spotumbler
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2009
Posts: 3
|
Post by spotumbler on Aug 25, 2009 15:29:35 GMT -5
More basic quiestions. Do I just go get a section of garden hose or should I get something a little more specific at my local "House of Hose" (this is actually a real place). Also, if I leave my curernt barell full of the carnelian and stage two grit for a couple of days will that create any problems or can I just restart it where I ended.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Aug 25, 2009 16:03:03 GMT -5
I use a white or clear braided hose I buy by the foot. Regular garden hose would work if it is the braided kind (you can see the braided reinforcement on the outside). It has to fit really snug on the shaft. The braided surface gives it a rougher surface than smooth hose. The hose I use is used for beverage systems and other applications. If you keep the drum closed it should be ok. If it dries out you may make concrete.
|
|
