electricface
starting to spend too much on rocks
First fish of the day
Member since August 2012
Posts: 211
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Post by electricface on Feb 9, 2013 0:00:25 GMT -5
Just a quick question...On average how long should a belt on a lortone 33b last? I got about 4 months out of my last one, and just had to adjust this belt after 2 months. The first belt came with my tumbler, the second was from a vendor off ebay but even is seems like it is going to last just as long.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,547
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Post by tkvancil on Feb 9, 2013 7:38:15 GMT -5
Lortone belt tensioning is tricky in my opinion. They don't need to be as tight as you might think. Too tight will cause belts to stretch and can damage the motors bearings. I run two 33b's and they both have thier own "personalities" so to speak. I just checked my notes and the "nice" one has been running on the same belt with no adjustment for 13 months. The "trouble maker" is on its third belt in that same amount of time and will likely need another soon. It runs for a month or so , needs adjusted, and then again after another month, repeat, until the belt is totaly stretched out. "Trouble maker" was my first tumbler and I really didn't get how to propery tension the belt. The first time it started slipping a little I maxed out the adjustment. It seemed that afterwards,even with a new belt, it wouldn't turn the barrels unless at full adjustment. So when I got my second 33b ( the "nice" one) I automatically set it to full adjustment.In a relatively short time the motor burned out, or so I thought. When I installed the new motor I realized it was actually the bearing that had siezed from too much belt tension. Additionally, when I installed the new motor I noticed it had some horizantal deflection in the drive shaft. The drive and idler rollers also have some horizantal deflection. I took some time to center the drive pulleys so that if they deflect in opposite directions the belt is only slightly pulled to either side. I set the tension on this belt relatively loose. Just a fuzz past where laying a finger on a moving barrel will stop it rotatating. Next time I order grit I'm getting a new motor for "trouble maker" as I'm convinced the bearings are damaged. It goes through belts too fast and I recently had to put tubing around the rollers to get it to turn fast enough. I know this isn't an exact answer to your question but thought I'd share my experiences with you.
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 9, 2013 8:24:21 GMT -5
With any belt drive system, make sure pulleys are lined up. The Thumlers belts for their AR series are same size but made out of tougher stuff so don't stretch.
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electricface
starting to spend too much on rocks
First fish of the day
Member since August 2012
Posts: 211
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Post by electricface on Feb 9, 2013 12:33:39 GMT -5
Thanks for the input. The first time I adjusted the belt on mine I maxed it out and it wouldn't even turn. I shut it off quickly and readjusted. If my belt is lose enough to stop with a finger it turns real slow. Maybe It has been turning too fast and I should try the slower speed. Don't know for sure, I'll just have to try I suppose. And John I'll look in to the AR series. Thanks
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 10, 2013 8:27:10 GMT -5
If you order from True Square (Thumler's) directly, I think the number is 401. Price was around $5 back when I was a dealer.
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