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Post by tanyafrench on Nov 7, 2010 13:48:21 GMT -5
I have a friend who died about 6 months ago and his wife brought me the tumbler he used to reload his ammo for hunting. It is a Montgomery Ward Powr Kraft Gemstone Tumbler. He was sick for a long time so I know it has not been used for a long time but it looks to be in excellent condition except it grinds when plugged in. I feel it just needs oil and I see 4 screws on the end by the motor but there are white plastic pieces that hold the turning wheels in place. These don't appear to screw off and I am afraid to try to pop them off. Is anyone familiar with this tumbler. I know it is old. Here are a few pictures. These are the white knobs I don't know how to remove. I just don't want to break anything. Thanks for any help with this, I'd love to get it going. Tanya
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drjo
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Post by drjo on Nov 7, 2010 17:22:15 GMT -5
Old ain't bad.
The white caps look like thread covers where the screws/bolts stuck out (sometimes they unscrew).
Does it grind without the barrel in place?
Does the bottom come off? It maybe easier to oil from there.
You should be able to get to the bearings/bushings with the barrel out. Just a drop of oil on each one to test if that's where the noise is coming from, the belt or pulley could also be rubbing on the frame.
Dr Joe
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Post by tanyafrench on Nov 7, 2010 19:42:48 GMT -5
Yes, I was able to open it from the bottom. It has gears inside not a belt so I put a little oil on the gears. I think it is going to be too loud to use in the house and it's too cold to use outside in our barn. The tumbler looks like a Thumlers 6 lb barrel. I am wondering if maybe I could find a base for a Thumlers to use the barrel on. It looks quite new but it is really loud. Any ideas welcome.
Tanya
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drjo
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Post by drjo on Nov 7, 2010 23:44:26 GMT -5
If the oil got rid of the grinding, clean it off and grease the gears and it may quiet down more (gears=grease, bearings/bushings=oil).
You may get lucky and find a base as the barrels are what's coveted.
Dr Joe
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 8, 2010 7:31:25 GMT -5
I'm guessing either Scott Murray or Lortone.
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Post by tanyafrench on Nov 8, 2010 15:41:08 GMT -5
It still grinds after oiling it. My husband says the motor gear is worn in areas and it stops so I guess I will have to find a base. I know this is a dumb question but where would I look other than Ebay? I guess I could ask on this site in the Buy Sell or Swap section. I'll give that a try. Thanks for your help. Tanya
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Nov 8, 2010 16:16:33 GMT -5
This is also the same base as a Star Diamond and is consistent with the Scott Murray barrels. It's also like a half size (half the depth, same diameter) Thumler's Model B. You could use that base if you didn't mind the barrel traveling on the shafts.
Yes, the plastic caps pop off. There's a cheap retaining washer that holds the shaft on. That is a little harder to get off.
Sorry to hear about the motor. The belts that were used on the similar tumblers were somewhat difficult to get. If anybody is interested, you can get them from McMaster, but you have to modify the motor mounting holes because the length isn't quite the same.
Hope that helps, Chuck
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 8, 2010 16:32:44 GMT -5
Bummer Tanya. I gave the motor and gears for one of those away a couple months ago. I'd have been happy to give them to you. Try cleaning the gears real good with an old tooth brush and soapy water. Check the gears for missing teeth. If they're all still there, work a little bit of vasoline into the teeth, and see what it sounds like.
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Post by tanyafrench on Nov 8, 2010 16:36:21 GMT -5
Don, the gear on the Motor is missing some teeth, so it stops when it hits that area. I am going to hope I can find a belt driven base for the barrel, it is in excellent condition and I would love to use it. Tanya
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drjo
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Post by drjo on Nov 8, 2010 18:52:38 GMT -5
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Post by tanyafrench on Nov 8, 2010 19:45:25 GMT -5
Thanks Dr Joe, unfortunately he is not very handy. I am a bit more handy with these things than he is. I might check it out but if I can find a belt driven base that would be quieter, wouldn't it?
Tanya
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 8, 2010 22:20:36 GMT -5
Tanya, that tumbler I have is an old Lortone 45C, 4lb. It's going to be too small for that barrel. The old Montgomery Ward and Sears tumblers had splined shafts on both the shaft and motor. The plastic gears were pressed on. So finding replacement gears is going to be tough. If the company Dr Joe mentioned has nylon gears, you might be able to carefully press one on. You'll have to know the motor shaft diameter, the outside diameter of the gear, and the number of teeth on the original gear. They were straight cut gears, so that's the easy part.
Don
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drjo
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Post by drjo on Nov 9, 2010 7:53:33 GMT -5
Properly running belt or gear drive will never be heard over the tumbling of the rocks Dr Joe .
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 9, 2010 7:55:09 GMT -5
I would measure existing base and compare to current Lortone models. Star Diamond sold their tumbler division to Lortone some time before they went completely under in 1998. They (Lortone) may use the same base with their belt driven shafts for a current model. Lortone also bought Scott Murray which looks right for the 6 lb. drum.
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Post by tanyafrench on Nov 9, 2010 8:56:14 GMT -5
John, the entire base is 10" by 10 1/2", the opening is 6"X9". I will see if I can find the dimensions on a Lortone base to fit this barrel. Since the barrel was only used to reload ammo in a dry setting it is in excellent condition. No rust and very clean. I guess I could try to sell the barrel but I would rather use it. Any other ideas on where to find one is greatly appreciated. Tanya
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Nov 9, 2010 13:17:58 GMT -5
Aside from craigslist and ebay, I don't really have any ideas for you for finding a base. Of course, you could always modify the existing base if you have a motor and some pulleys. The motor on my Star Diamond died, so that's what I plan to do.
Please let me know if you decide to sell the drum.
Chuck
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Post by tanyafrench on Nov 9, 2010 14:18:29 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck, I may just do that if I can't find anything to use it on.
Tanya
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