jean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 127
|
Post by jean on Oct 2, 2009 0:40:21 GMT -5
My 3 lb. Lortone rotary has worked great for almost two years. Now it leaks. Has anyone had the same experience? I am scratching my head over this one. Hope someone can help.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 2, 2009 2:27:26 GMT -5
I suppose you have Given the rim a good clean with a old tooth brush ?
are the Threads all clean on the center bolt (so you can screw it down tight) ?
Just a couple of quick Ideas for you
Jack
Yorkshire uk
|
|
|
|
Post by Toad on Oct 2, 2009 7:18:48 GMT -5
Tight, but not overtight on the nut. Too much pressure can warp the lid.
Two years is a long time the barrel/lid may be worn out depending on how often you have the tumbler running.
|
|
|
|
Post by Toad on Oct 2, 2009 8:49:50 GMT -5
Another thought. If it is only leaking a little bit, try some vaseline between rim and lid - might extend life of your barrel if it is just a bit worn.
|
|
bobh
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2009
Posts: 55
|
Post by bobh on Oct 2, 2009 9:39:59 GMT -5
If none of above works try replacing the rubber gasket -- costs about $3.50 at rockshed.
Bob
|
|
jean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 127
|
Post by jean on Oct 2, 2009 9:40:57 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions. Yes, I cleaned barrel and lid well, cleaned threads and applied vaseline but the darn thing continued to leak large amounts. I had not considered that perhaps the barrel and lid had outlived their life expectation. Hello Rockshed!
|
|
|
|
Post by rocklicker on Oct 2, 2009 14:29:09 GMT -5
Yup, the lid leaking is likely. Look for a hole in the center of the lid gasket right where it contacts the screw. I've had 2 barrels do that. They leak a lot even from a tiny hole. I was amazed at how small a hole would cause a leak.
Steve
|
|
rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
|
Post by rallyrocks on Oct 2, 2009 15:06:17 GMT -5
I've never had a hole in the center of the lid, but I've had a couple of the lid liners wear out by getting cuts around the edges, same net result I expect, slurry gets past the seal and makes a mess...
Simple to fix though, those lid liners are relatively inexpensive IIRC...
|
|
|
|
Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 4, 2009 3:43:18 GMT -5
I have heard of someone use a auto puncture repair patch,?
as a quick repair I havent had that trouble yet
Jack
Yorkshire uk
|
|
docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 716
|
Post by docharber on Oct 7, 2009 22:01:12 GMT -5
I have repaired both barrels and liner with PlastiDip from Home Depot- the stuff you dip tool handles in to coat them with a layer of flexible plastic. $& a pint sioze can. You can apply 2 or three coats to athe area of the leak and let it set up overnight. They'll be good as new and the plastidip lasts as long as the original rubber. I have used cheap $13/qt truck bed lining stuff from the local auto parts store to repair barrels that had worn through in the bottom senter. I had some of the liner material that I had peeled out of a leaking barrel I am building and I cut out a patch from the cured material, and pasted it over the hole with more liner commpound. i've run the barrels for a month now without any more leaks. As for the lid liners, they are easily replaced as are the metal lid components. Rock Shed has it all.
one other thing- be careful using the Vaseline on rubber. It could degrade it.
Mark H.
|
|
cornorstone
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2009
Posts: 19 
|
Post by cornorstone on Oct 9, 2009 9:04:20 GMT -5
on a slightly different note, more annoying than anything else, my 3# Lortone is maybe about 4-5 years old. At least old enough to have replaced the motor once. Anyway, the best way I can explain is that the rubber gasket that covers that metal rim seems to shift during a tumbling session & I am getting air ( or gas) inside between the lid & gasket. It hasn't caused any problems, just really annoying that it happens. Has some one else ever run across this issue? Is my gasket just old & woreout?
|
|
rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
|
Post by rockdewd on Oct 9, 2009 10:51:00 GMT -5
Cornerstone,
My lortone 12 # and 6 # barrels always seem to get air under the lid liner and bulge inward toward the barrel. Some more than others. I think the ones that bulge the most are older and thinner. I dunno how to prevent and I don't think it cause any problems.
I replace my lid liners when they get thin and start to wrinkle. I haven't had any leaks yet (knock on petrified wood) but I've had a couple blowouts over the years and those are always fun...
|
|
|
|
Post by frane on Oct 10, 2009 11:42:57 GMT -5
Umm, Sometimes it can also be caused by what you are tumbling. If it is gassy material, it can put pressure on the lid just enough to lift it and let it leak. I had this happen to me recently daily with a glass batch. Added 1 tsp baking soda to the mix and that stopped it. Just a thought.
Fran
|
|
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
