mrtk
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2015
Posts: 3
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Post by mrtk on Dec 29, 2015 14:49:36 GMT -5
Bought my 9-year-old an A-R2 so we both can learn tumbling together. We have both barrels tumbling about 3 lbs each. I run it in our garage that is cold this time of year. I have noticed that the belt squeals badly when the alignment between the motor pills and the barrel pulls is off. For some reason, on level surface, the barrel pully will move to the right of the motor and that causes the belt to squeak. I figure that will wear the belt faster. Other than trying to told the entire unit to the left, is there a way to align the two? If I push the barrel pully win my hand it will align, till I let go.
Thx
Tim
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Post by captbob on Dec 29, 2015 15:16:13 GMT -5
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mrtk
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2015
Posts: 3
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Post by mrtk on Dec 29, 2015 21:57:40 GMT -5
Thanks, Capbob. I looked at that thread and I can see he leveled it with a screwdriver. However, I've tried leveling and even going beyond level to keep it alinged--with no luck. Too much tilt causes the drums to rub on the white "stays" (if that's what they are called). Watch the following youtube clips I just posted of the noise. Please ignore the fact I have the unit on paint cans; I was tinkering with sound suppression. Rest assured that when I filmed this, my level showed it nearly level in both the x and y axis. In the below I show how quite it can be, as well as how noisy--if not aligned. Then I put 1 drum on and watch it start to move to an out-of-alignment state. I then push the drive into alignment with my finger. This clip is with both barrels on it. Similar results. Any clues how to help align? Should I contact the manufacture? Keep in mind if I tilt the entire unit a slight bit towards the motor side, the squeal doesn't go away; however, the left side barrel starts to rub heavy on the stay/white guard. Tim
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Post by paulshiroma on Dec 29, 2015 22:22:47 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum! Afraid I can't help much on the equipment but I hope you guys have a great time! Paul
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Post by captbob on Dec 30, 2015 1:18:20 GMT -5
Let me run a couple suggestions by ya and you can try them if you care to.
The little pulley on the motor should have a hex nut holding it in place on the shaft. Maybe loosen that nut up and slide the pulley towards the motor a little. That just might get rid of that belt squeak.
As to the barrels walking, how about trying raising the front or/then back up. Instead of trying to tweak it side to side, maybe a noticeable front or back tilt may do the trick. I'm thinking raise the back some putting more weight on the front roller. Figure it's worth a shot.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2015 7:47:45 GMT -5
I'm no tumbling master by any means,mine tumbler is homemade.but I am a good tinkerer.can you not "shim" the shaft out that you are pushing with your finger with additional nylon washers so the shaft cannot walk any more?or if the large pulley is sliding on the shaft maybe a collar/w set screw to stop it from wandering.it looks as if it would have to be majorly out of level to prevent that much walking of the shaft,not very feasible solution Dave
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on Dec 30, 2015 8:01:19 GMT -5
Hmm, looks like the shaft itself is moving. How about picking up some appropriate sized (nylon?)washers from the hardware store and install them to position the shaft exactly where you want it to be/stay....maybe between the clip-on washer and the bushing on the pulley end. Get two or three of the washers. Leave a little slack in there and don't forget to oil the bushings. Also, it my mind, it could be motor bearings reacting to a skewed/crooked pull creating torque in an unexpected angle...I would think more so that it's the belt squeaking, though, and would definitely pursue that first. Also, you might want to drop a drop of oil down into each oil port on the motor...the instructions tell you the frequency that they need oiling...they should have been oiled at the factory, but... ETA: Dang, I type slow...to responses by time I watched the videos and typed the message... It's because I used a Hardee's cup. (that's for captbob<grin>).
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br347213
starting to spend too much on rocks
Henderson, NV
Member since October 2015
Posts: 106
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Post by br347213 on Dec 30, 2015 8:16:51 GMT -5
Thanks, Capbob. I looked at that thread and I can see he leveled it with a screwdriver. However, I've tried leveling and even going beyond level to keep it alinged--with no luck. Too much tilt causes the drums to rub on the white "stays" (if that's what they are called). Watch the following youtube clips I just posted of the noise. Please ignore the fact I have the unit on paint cans; I was tinkering with sound suppression. Rest assured that when I filmed this, my level showed it nearly level in both the x and y axis. In the below I show how quite it can be, as well as how noisy--if not aligned. Then I put 1 drum on and watch it start to move to an out-of-alignment state. I then push the drive into alignment with my finger. This clip is with both barrels on it. Similar results. Any clues how to help align? Should I contact the manufacture? Keep in mind if I tilt the entire unit a slight bit towards the motor side, the squeal doesn't go away; however, the left side barrel starts to rub heavy on the stay/white guard. Tim Hey there. I am the author of the above thread (thanks capt bob for directing to that link). the screwdriver only worked for so long. eventually i couldn't get the alignment back. What I realized is that there is very little issue with the barell rubbing against the white stays. I can't remember who said it, maybe captbob, but it really helped me to not worry about it. they said "that's what they are there for." the stays are there because it's going to drift. i dont think anyone's barells stay aligned all the time. it wears on the rubber a bit but not much. evetually it will need to be replaced, that's normal. i have been running it with the barells rubbing for the past 3 months or so and it's been just fine. Very minor wearing even with heavy pressing on the stays.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,547
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Post by tkvancil on Dec 30, 2015 10:57:34 GMT -5
So I've got double Lortones but had a similar issue. My belts were wearing out way faster than expected. I can see the belt deflecting in your videos. If the pulleys on your Thumlers have set screws should be an easy fix ...
Both the motor and drive shaft should have some movement left to right. Loosen the set screws to be able to move the pulleys. Next push or pull the motor shaft one direction and the drive shaft opposite. Observe the amount of belt deflection and then move the shafts again opposite. (motor left, drive right then motor right, drive left). What you want to do is set the pulleys so when shafts are in opposite directions the belt deflection is the same both ways. Worked on my Lortones.
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mrtk
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2015
Posts: 3
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Post by mrtk on Dec 30, 2015 13:50:32 GMT -5
So I've got double Lortones but had a similar issue. My belts were wearing out way faster than expected. I can see the belt deflecting in your videos. If the pulleys on your Thumlers have set screws should be an easy fix ... Both the motor and drive shaft should have some movement left to right. Loosen the set screws to be able to move the pulleys. Next push or pull the motor shaft one direction and the drive shaft opposite. Observe the amount of belt deflection and then move the shafts again opposite. (motor left, drive right then motor right, drive left). What you want to do is set the pulleys so when shafts are in opposite directions the belt deflection is the same both ways. Worked on my Lortones. First, thanks to everyone for their free advice. That's why I often turn to forums before anything else for help. Brain share at its finest. Second, the moving of the pulley on the motor was the solution. I don't know why I failed to see that it was adjustable. By the way, it took a 5/32nd Allen key (wrench) to loosen it. Once moved just about 1/8th of an inch toward the motor, all went silent. Thanks again, everyone!
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5150
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2015
Posts: 1
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Post by 5150 on Dec 30, 2015 15:26:36 GMT -5
Bought my 9-year-old an A-R2 so we both can learn tumbling together. We have both barrels tumbling about 3 lbs each. I run it in our garage that is cold this time of year. I have noticed that the belt squeals badly when the alignment between the motor pills and the barrel pulls is off. For some reason, on level surface, the barrel pully will move to the right of the motor and that causes the belt to squeak. I figure that will wear the belt faster. Other than trying to told the entire unit to the left, is there a way to align the two? If I push the barrel pully win my hand it will align, till I let go. Thx Tim Good morning, I'm also new at this so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about but I too have an AR-2 and on mine I had to move the motor pulley closer to the motor in order to make things run straight. I think it's ok for the barrel to rub against the white nylon guide as it turns freely with the barrel. You will also notice that the motor is not parallel with the drive shaft, it's just a little bit cockeyed, at least mine is. Just move the motor pulley closer to the motor and I think it will help.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,547
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Post by tkvancil on Dec 31, 2015 9:16:17 GMT -5
mrtk glad to hear you got the tumbler fixed.
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