chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Mar 8, 2010 0:18:11 GMT -5
You guys said it...the darned CE tumblers are for &*(t! Lasted three days of tumbling and the belt melted off. Wasn't tight, but I think one barrel got stuck and I smelled something funky, went to check and the motor was spinning away madly, just melting that stupid belt.
Any suggestions on a replacement that will last longer than 3 days? I'm so bummed, my first tumble stumbled....lol...
And to all of you about to make the suggestion - NO, I can't afford a Lortone or any other, barely gonna make mortgage this month...
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Mar 8, 2010 0:32:37 GMT -5
I AM SO BUMMED. Suck @$$ way to start a new week............heavy sigh.......
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 8, 2010 0:44:27 GMT -5
Thumler's 400 belt will work. Of course next the pulley will wear out.
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Mar 8, 2010 1:16:07 GMT -5
Do you think it might last four weeks so I can get one batch done? lol
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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 Mar 8, 2010 7:43:22 GMT -5
Make sure the drum isn't overloaded, Order the belt & pulley?
Dr Joe
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snuffy
Cave Dweller 
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Mar 8, 2010 8:58:30 GMT -5
Lortone belts are what I use on mine, everytime Iget a new ce,Itake the belt off and replace it with a lortone.Did you buy it from the store and get a year guarantee on it? Rockshed can have belt to you in 3 days.If the belt is the problem,then you will most likely get several months of tumbling before the plastic pulley splits,which a couple months later the motor fries,then acouple months later the shaft bushings wear out. But then after these problems are fixed,you have a lortone after replacing the parts,aint too bad,got 2 running right now.I speak from the experience of jacking around with about 8 of these over the last 2 years.
And another important consideration is to check and make sure the pulleys are lined up .I've only seen one that was,the rest had to be adjusted.
snuffy
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Mar 8, 2010 9:34:59 GMT -5
Good advice Snuffy. I've not taken it apart as I found it so late last night. Will pull the cover off today and see. Anyone have a link for the Rockshed? Really want to get this rolling again.... and no, I bought it at wholesale for $20 so can't complain too loudly...
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Post by Toad on Mar 8, 2010 9:42:23 GMT -5
You might be disappointed in results if you want a batch done in 4 weeks.
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Mar 8, 2010 9:48:55 GMT -5
Well, if they're not ready, they go back in! lol
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Mar 8, 2010 10:01:42 GMT -5
Hey,for 20 bucks,I'd buy. There is an excellent thread posted in the past,about replacing the motor with a lortone motor,some adjustments have to be made,maybe someone remembers where, for when the time comes to replace it.
snuffy
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Mar 8, 2010 10:46:01 GMT -5
The motor seems okay for the time being. Not sure how much I want to put into it before just buying a lortone...lol
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,105
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Post by Thunder69 on Mar 9, 2010 21:29:18 GMT -5
therockshed.com/index.htmlHEre is the link for the rockshed....I have abot 6 of the C.E. tumblers and I have replaced the belt with a thumbler ar12 model b belt. One thing also , when you take the cover off the motor,pully just leave it off, that way more airflow to the motor... Most important ..They also rotate alot faster than normal so oil the bushing every 2 weeks instead of monthly...Good luck..John
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Mar 10, 2010 6:50:31 GMT -5
Thanks John, that's great advice!
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CUL-Ann
spending too much on rocks
rock lover~
Member since September 2008
Posts: 380
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Post by CUL-Ann on Mar 10, 2010 9:08:29 GMT -5
Not sure just what all went wrong but, that is what we started with (because of cost) we found that if the belt brakes go buy the ponnytail holders (for hair) they will work for a longer time then the belt that comes with the machine;-)) make sure you get the kind that does not have a clasp holding the ends together. And watch for a good deal on a lortone, I know it is hard to come up with the $$ for one but you will be glade you did==and save your drum.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 10, 2010 9:52:34 GMT -5
If you order Thumler's belts the Model T uses a #400 belt which is same size but thinner so fits pulley better. Also costs less.
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Mar 10, 2010 23:34:09 GMT -5
Was a bit surprised that their shipping was almost as much as the belt.
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Post by Toad on Mar 11, 2010 8:57:36 GMT -5
How much was it? There is generally a minimum shipping amount to cover business expenses. Likely it would have been the same or minimally higher if you had ordered more things along with the belt. The post office charges thr same amount whether you are sending one sheet of paper or three.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 11, 2010 10:01:01 GMT -5
USPS online starts at $5 and pennies, Small FRB $4.85. You can't do First class online and most companies won't send an employee to the bank to mail a belt. When I sold Thumlers the belts were $3 for #400 (Model T) and $5 for #401 (Model A/B). Fed Ex starts at $5-$7 and UPS at $9. You could easily pay more for shipping than one belt.
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Mar 11, 2010 10:54:03 GMT -5
Ho then I'm looking in the wrong place, the belt was $12 and shipping was $11...
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Post by Toad on Mar 11, 2010 11:39:58 GMT -5
$11 sounds like a bit much. I was thinking more like $4-5
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