fisherpal
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2012
Posts: 10
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Post by fisherpal on Nov 16, 2012 22:31:40 GMT -5
I have an older, used Lortone 6# 2-barrel tumbler that I just got for a present the other day. Filled the barrels with an assortment of rocks that we have collected over the years, put the lids on and my husband decided to check for leaks. Sure enough, these is a bit of a water leak from one of the lids. He thinks that applying vaseline would do the trick to seal it. Is there something I should be doing? As I said, it is an older unit and, as the interior of the barrels looks pretty pristine, I have a feeling it wasn't used much. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
A COUPLE LAKERS
Member since August 2011
Posts: 891
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on Nov 16, 2012 22:46:33 GMT -5
Welcome!
Make sure there isn't anything stuck between the rubber gasket and the metal disk it fits over - that's the inner lid. Make sure the edge of the inner lid where it contacts the barrel is clean and wet. Make sure the rim on the barrel where the lid sets is perfectly clean and wet. Make sure the inner lid is seated onto the rim of the barrel. You might have to put some weight on it, but the outer lid/cap has to be completely down tight as far as it goes before you screw the nut down.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Nov 16, 2012 23:26:45 GMT -5
If the barrels seem like they may be dried out and the rubber is not very pliable a little silicon spray may help to limber it up and seal it. New gaskets for the lids are easily found at most rock shops.
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fisherpal
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2012
Posts: 10
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Post by fisherpal on Nov 17, 2012 12:16:03 GMT -5
Thanks for all the tips everyone! I'm going to have to go and look for pictures of these barrels and compare them to what I have. The lids seem to be made of one piece of heavy rubber (no gasket that I could see). However, upon more detailed inspection last night, I did notice where the problem is likely coming from. There is a very small nick at the rim of one of the lids. We actually did land up applying a small amount of vaseline along the inside ridge of the barrel where the lid would snug down into and that actually did work. Got the two drums 'rolling' but a few hours later thought we smelled something funny. Think it was the motor and that the fan belt wasn't quite tight enough. Played with it a bit but didn't want it tumbling all night while we were asleep until we knew everything was okay so will be turning it back on again today and watching it. As I mentioned, this was an older unit that my husband found on Craigslist but I think it's going to work out just fine. If the motor IS pooched, he has another one from something else that he can adapt to this (he's a handy guy ;D). For even more inspiration, I browsed through some of the photos that people have posted here last night. Some of them just take your breath away with their spectacular beauty and all of them are awesome!
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Nov 17, 2012 13:18:39 GMT -5
also make sure the nuts are on good & tight!!! that was my first mistake when I started tumbling too!!
Also after you put on the inner lid and press it down onto the barrel, squeeze the side of the barrel to "burp it" releasing any compressed air in the container, might even get the lid to seal better (inner & outer) by burping it before you seal it up.
just my :2cents:
welcome aboard!! Mario
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fisherpal
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2012
Posts: 10
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Post by fisherpal on Nov 17, 2012 16:01:10 GMT -5
Funny you mentioned the 'burping' - when I went to put the lid on one of the barrels last night, it felt like there was pressure preventing me from getting it down. I thought maybe it was a rock that wasn't sitting right so messed around, took one larger on out and tried again. Same thing. Took another rock out but this time, when the lid when down, I could actually feel a bit of a 'swoosh' of air come out. It was just an air lock. Who knew? LOL. Have figured out that this is a Lortone QT66 tumbler at least though. However, we seem to be having some issues with the motor but are working on that although I have read that they do run hot.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Nov 17, 2012 22:39:19 GMT -5
When I am putting the lids on mine and feel the pressure I bend back the upper rim of the rubber barrel and let it burp all the air out. Anytime the lid comes off after that clean it well before going again.
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