emyhro4048
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2007
Posts: 396
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Post by emyhro4048 on Mar 23, 2011 19:28:12 GMT -5
Hello everyone I need some help and this subject may have already been addressed. I need some feedback on this tumbler [thumbler A-R2] both good and bad. Any help would be appreciated. I bought this tumbler from the Rock Shed over a year ago and have used it once. I would like to use it more but have lost all of my information on it. Thank's for your help. Ed M.
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Mar 23, 2011 19:57:57 GMT -5
I've got an AR2. I bought it off an online auction,receipt in box shows it was purchased in 1987,but hadnt been used very much.I cranked it up and its been running for about 10 months now. I had the problem of the plastic lid wearing a hole out and spilling the contents and making a big mess. I solved that problem by applying plastidip about an eighth inch over the center half of the lid. Or keep extra lids on hand and replace as they get thin.I load mine as any barrel that size. 2/3-3/4 full rocks,water to just below top layer of stones, and 3 tbsps of grit.
snuffy
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 24, 2011 10:34:43 GMT -5
Got 2 of them. Pretty much no problems. Keep the lids pointed toword the center of the machine (and each other). Motor mounts may lossen a little when new and couse some excess noise. Love mine!
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crgator
starting to shine!
Member since January 2011
Posts: 31
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Post by crgator on Mar 26, 2011 9:37:38 GMT -5
That's the model I got for my girlfriend. Like stefan said, pretty much no problems. We did goof and got a bit of oil on one of the rollers. Be careful about that. Like stefan, we keep the lids pointed to the center, facing each other. We also also leave two barrels on, even if one is empty.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 26, 2011 20:32:32 GMT -5
I did have a barrel jump off once and jammed the roller. Not sure how long the motor was stalled but it ks still running. They are thermally protected and this one never shut down. Those fasco motors are very durable. My pellet stove use them and they are moving 450 degree exhaust out the vent 24 hours a day for 5 months a year. Can't ask for much more than that
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Post by 150FromFundy on Mar 29, 2011 6:33:11 GMT -5
My first tumbler and it has run 24/7 for a little over two years. The palstic barrel lids will wear out after about 1 year, but it should only cost about $3 to replace. The drive belt should be replaced every year whether ir needs it, or not. Another $3 replacement part. The thermal shutdown saves the motor. I've had a few barrel jams (cat related incidents) that have shut the motor down before burn out. Oil the motor bearings about once a month with a light machine oil.
Darryl.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 29, 2011 8:04:23 GMT -5
I have never replaced the drive belts (now I jinxed it). The lids do wear out. I use plexiglass and super glue to patch them. The patches actually last a LOT longer than the originals!! Oh and superglue can be gotten at Walmart- Go to the automotive section- 4 TUBES for $.97!!!!!
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charles kuchar
spending too much on rocks
getting ready for the second coming
Member since November 2010
Posts: 300
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Post by charles kuchar on Mar 29, 2011 19:26:44 GMT -5
my ar2 is going strong. been running it since 2007 fall. i have punctured one white retainer lid and one black retainer lid. the black retainer lids are far better than the white ones. i do put a drop of sewing machine oil into each side of the motor each month. i have not had any problems with which direction the barrels are placed. i have worn out half of the plastic holder to keep the barrels on the rollers so far but i am waiting to wear the holder out before i replace it. the ar2 is an excellent tumbler. charlie
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 30, 2011 10:09:45 GMT -5
Charlie- the only reason I point the lids inward is to avoid the potential of a blowout contaminating the roller ends, and the motor. I had it happen to me a couple times and it is a freakin MESS to clean up!
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Mar 30, 2011 13:08:35 GMT -5
Finally remembered to get a pic of my lids.These were dabbed with plastidip,no visible wear after several months. One of these was actually one that a hole wore in it and made a heck of a mess. snuffy
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Mar 30, 2011 17:42:17 GMT -5
You should've seen the mess I had in the shed when the end blew off one of our 5-gallon barrels; looked good on Sat., was blown Sunday morning. That ended my new "hot tip" idea for building barrels.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Mar 30, 2011 19:47:23 GMT -5
Snuffy thanks as that looks a lot easier than cutting and glueing on plexi!
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emyhro4048
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2007
Posts: 396
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Post by emyhro4048 on Apr 4, 2011 20:38:05 GMT -5
Thank's everyone for the great tips and comments. I will keep them all in mind as I venture to use this tumbler. I have been faithful to my Lortone for several years but would like to use AR2 that I invested in.
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