zero
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2009
Posts: 10
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Post by zero on Nov 13, 2009 10:25:41 GMT -5
So I've been rock tumbling with my A-R1 Thumler Tumbler for a couple of months now. I'm now I'm my 3rd batch. However, I've run into a small problem. In the three months I've had the unit, the barrel has "derailed" three times. Its derailed two times in the past couple of days.
I'll check on the unit and notice that the barrel has shifted to the side. The barrel gets stuck while the motor and shaft continue spinning. What this means is that my rocks haven't been tumbling, but its also thrashing my barrel. I have rubber pieces all over the place from where the shaft is rubbing against the barrel.
Does anyone have any ideas on what might be causing this and how I can prevent it?
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Post by Toad on Nov 13, 2009 10:31:12 GMT -5
Do yuo have an extra-large rock in there that might cause a jolt if it sticks to the side and then drops?
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zero
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2009
Posts: 10
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Post by zero on Nov 13, 2009 10:37:14 GMT -5
In all three cases, the barrel has fallen off during the initial phase of the tumbling process. Its a 3 lb barrel and I did exactly as the instructions said. I filled the barrel 3/4 full. All the rocks should be less than 1.5 inches in size.
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Post by Toad on Nov 13, 2009 10:53:42 GMT -5
Stupid question, but I haven't used Thumlers. For Lortone, the top of the barrel has a gnurled nut that fits into a guide to keep the barrel from sliding back and forth across the rollers - does a thumler have that. Is the surface that the tumbler sits on level?
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zero
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2009
Posts: 10
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Post by zero on Nov 13, 2009 11:02:14 GMT -5
Actually, that's a good question toad. Here's a few picture of the Thumler AR-1 : rock-tumbler.com/620/thumlers-model-ar-1-kit.jpgwww.rocks4u.com/images/Rock%20Tumbler%20Clinic.jpgUnless I am using the tumbler incorrectly, the barrel just sits on top of two shafts. The rear one spins freely and the front one gets turned by the motor. Nothing really keeps the barrel in place other than gravity and a small plastic "stop" on the ends of the shafts. Unfortunately, my barrel appears to be hopping over those plastic stops. A short term solution I am trying is to put grease all around the plastic stops so that they are too slippery to crawl over. Dunno if it will work or not. |
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Post by Toad on Nov 13, 2009 11:16:27 GMT -5
I don't know. But there are plenty of folks on this forum that use thumlers. They should chime in at some point. Good luck.
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Post by tkrueger3 on Nov 13, 2009 11:27:19 GMT -5
I have a Thumler's AR-2 (the shafts are twice as long as the AR-1, and hold2 2 of the AR-1 barrels). I had this problem when I first got it, and now I resolve it by slightly raising the "uphill" end of the base until the barrels stay pretty much in the middle. Try raising the end that the barrel keeps climbing over, by placing something like cardboard under that end of the base, until the barrel stays pretty much centered. A little bias to one side or the other won't hurt - it only rides up over the plastic keepers when it's way off of where it wants to be.
Tom
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zero
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2009
Posts: 10
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Post by zero on Nov 13, 2009 11:50:38 GMT -5
tkrueger3, that's a good idea. I don't know why I didn't think of that.
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Peter
having dreams about rocks
Member since May 2009
Posts: 51
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Post by Peter on Nov 18, 2009 16:18:01 GMT -5
I had the same problem with my ar-2 at first, called Thumblers and was told to position the openings of both barrells facing each other. It worked, try that.
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 18, 2009 16:40:41 GMT -5
Remove the grease and clean shafts and barrels. Rough up surfaces with sand paper if smooth and position barrels as mentioned with lids facing each other.
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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 Nov 20, 2009 7:44:45 GMT -5
How many barrels on a an AR-1?
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 20, 2009 11:44:44 GMT -5
Mia Culpa, Drjo. I meant clean barrel ends (surface that rides on shafts). Of course only one barrel at a time will fit on an AR1.
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gemhunter
starting to spend too much on rocks
"Rock On"
Member since November 2009
Posts: 243
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Post by gemhunter on Nov 20, 2009 12:17:48 GMT -5
Hey all, I have the tumblers tumble barrel.
I hope you have solved the problem and I may be giving info you know. Pleas let me, or us know if this helps. Ed
1st thing check how the two shafts set. You should have the plastic wheels with a divider that rests on the frame. The only wheel that really moves is the one conected to the belt. The other turns when the barrel revolves.
Don't oil the shaft, that will cause the barrel to just stop. The oil gets under the rubber stops on the saft.
I face my barrel away from the belt. The lid faces to the side the belt is not on.
You might try varying your weight, as to much will stop the roll.
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